By Jim Bleyer
An ordinarily innocuous St. Petersburg City Council race has
roiled local politics and become a key bellwether as to who will be the next
mayor of Florida’s fifth largest city.
The race to succeed term-limited Rick Kriseman as St. Petersburg
mayor is two years away but political machinations suddenly opened the door for
a Republican to capture the mayoralty in this Democratic stronghold in 2021.
 |
| John Hornbeck |
 |
| Robert Blackburn |
It started July 1 with a monumental gaffe by a political pro who
should know better.
City Council member Darden Rice, an historic progressive who has
made no secret of her mayoral aspirations, endorsed Republican Robert Blackmon
over Democrat John Hornbeck in this fall’s District 1 council race.
Rice’s action turned off many local Democrats. Though the
city races are technically “non-partisan,” party politics always comes into
play here.
Shortly after the endorsement, a Rice confidante told Tampa Bay
Beat her action was “a no-brainer.” As it turns out, supporting Blackmon,
who can be described as more than a nominal Republican, over Hornbeck has
thrust Rice into a controversy of her own making.
Until Rice’s endorsement, the most controversial issue in the
council race was the question of Blackmon’s residency. Hornbeck and
others claimed he did not reside within District 1. Blackmon declared the
matter closed with a home sale and his subsequent address. The point
remains murky.
Rice was the early favorite to succeed Kriseman but no more. She
alienated a significant portion of the Democratic base regardless of the
District 1 result on November 5. The more astute move: no endorsement
whatsoever. Inarguable.
Blackmon told Sunshine State News unequivocally there was no quid pro for the endorsement.
“There was absolutely no deals made. And, importantly, we do not know who will be running for mayor in 2021,” Blackmon asserted.  |
| Darden Rice |
Then why would Rice take the risk?
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