Winners And Losers In Pinellas County Municipal Races

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- In northern Pinellas County, Tarpon Springs elected a 21-year-old former high school football player to the city commission. And in south Pinellas, Madeira Beach residents elected Doug Andrews to replace city commissioner Nancy Oakley who resigned after a face-licking scandal (see related story).

Although the results remain unofficial until the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office counts all of the provisional ballots, 14,557 Pinellas County residents cast votes for mayor, council members and charter amendments in the March 12 municipal elections with some upsets and some close calls.

Winning a third term as mayor of Gulfport was Sam Henderson who defeated Frank Kemnetz with 74 percent of the vote.

Two incumbent council members also won back their seats.

Christine Brown won the Ward 2 seat with 65.55 percent of the vote over Chrisan Herrod with 21.58 percent and Byron Chalfont with 12.86 percent.

Michael Fridovich held onto the Ward 4 seat with 70.65 percent, beating out Richard Fried with 29.35 percent.

In Belleair Beach, Joseph A. Manzo retained his title as mayor with 61.06 percent of the vote over opponent Leslie Notaro's 38.94 percent.

Top vote-getters for the Belleair Beach city council were Dave Gattis (23.73 percent), Rita Swope (20.01 percent) and Robyn Ache (19.47 percent). They defeated Todd Harper (18.12 percent) and Steve Marsh (18.66 percent).

In Tarpon Springs, Chris Alahouzos won a second term as mayor. With 56.21 percent of the vote, he defeated former mayor David O. Archie, who received 43.79 percent.

Tarpon Springs also elected 21-year-old Connor Donovan to the city commission with 53.38 percent of the vote. He beat out incumbent Susan Miccio-Kikta who received 46.62 percent.

Indian Rocks Beach residents were asked to choose two for city commissioner. In a close race, Phillip J. Hanna received 37.68 percent of the vote; Diane Flagg 32.73 percent and John Pfanstiehl 29.60 percent.

Former council member Eric Seidel ran unopposed for mayor of Oldsmar.

Former city council member Linda Norris won Seat 1 and the title of vice mayor with 41.99 percent of the vote over Andrew Knapp with 29.31 percent and Matt Clarke with 28.70 percent.

Katie Gannon won Seat 4 with 62.30 percent of the vote over longtime council member Jerald "Jerry" Beverland, who received 37.70 percent.

In Madeira Beach, former recreation director Doug Andrews won the District 3 commission seat with 52.96 of the vote over J. Roger Pryor with 47.04 percent.

And John E. Douhirt was re-elected to the District 4 seat by less than a 1 percent margin. He received 50.59 percent of the vote to Steve Kochick's 49.41 percent.

Cities within the Pinellas Suncoast Fire District were asked if they'd be willing to pay more for fire protection and 52.92 percent of voters said they would. So, starting in the 2019-20 fiscal year, the fee for single-family homeowners will increase from $260 to 350.

Commercial units up to 500 square feet will increase from $286 to $386. Motel units, mobile home lots and recreational vehicle lots will increase from $165 to $265.

Tarpon Springs residents were asked if they were willing to give property tax exemptions for new businesses or expanding existing businesses. Residents agreed with 63.73 percent of the vote.

Oldsmar residents were asked the same question and 63.56 percent agreed.

Madeira Beach voters were asked to weigh in on 11 charter amendments.

No. 1 Charter Amendment
Yes – 37.98%
No – 62.02%
No. 2 Charter Amendment
Yes – 70.89%
No – 29.11%
No. 3 Charter Amendment
Yes – 81.18%
No – 18.82%
No. 4 Charter Amendment
Yes – 72.01%
No – 27.99%
No. 5 Charter Amendment
Yes – 53.82%
No – 46.18%
No. 6 Charter Amendment
Yes – 80.05%
No – 19.95%
No. 7 Charter Amendment
Yes – 74.26%
No – 25.75%
No. 8 Charter Amendment
Yes – 49.46%
No – 50.54%
No. 9 Charter Amendment
Yes – 58.34%
No – 41.66%
No. 10 Charter Amendment
Yes – 47.52%
No – 52.48%
No. 11 Charter Amendment
Yes – 50.67%
No – 49.33%

See related story:

2019 Pinellas County Municipal Elections: What You Should Know

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