A least one thing is for certain—history was made in this year’s primary.
Openly gay City Council candidate Steve Kornell sailed through the Sept. 1 primary with ease, garnering 49% of the primary vote.
Wagman, who was a favorite among LGBT groups for his support of Pride and domestic partnership benefits, pulled in only about 15% of the vote. He was vying to become a candidate for mayor.
“Thank you to all my friends, volunteers, donors and other supporters,” Kornell said after the Supervisor of Elections released the official tally Tuesday night. “I am deeply honored by the overwhelming victory from the voters of District 5.”
Kornell defeated candidates Angela Rouson, who pulled in 32% of the votes, and Joe Smith, who received just under 20%.
More than 37,000 people voted in the election. Now, Kornell and Rouson will face off in the Nov. 3 primary.
“I want to issue the Kornell Challenge to the citywide voters,” said Kornell, a social worker. “Listen to what I say, but then talk to your friends and neighbors, and you’re going to find someone who knows me out of two decades in the community. Don’t take my word for it. Talk to people who know me.”
Kornell, who has been involved in the parks department of St. Petersburg for nearly a decade, knows he still has another battle to win before he becomes the city’s newest and first openly gay elected official. But he’s confident in the team surrounding him.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who has volunteered, donated or works on my campaign,” he said. “I am truly blessed to have such a great team.”
Another LGBT favorite, incumbent Karl Nurse, of District 6, also advances to the general election. Nurse supported St. Pete Pride this year and actively campaigned for the LGBT vote.
Only 23% of the city’s registered voters participated in the primary election.
