ABOVE: Equality Florida Action PAC supporters and Ken Welch Oct. 23. Photo by J.D. Casto.
ST. PETERSBURG | Equality Florida Action PAC held a final Day of Action Oct. 23 to rally pro-LGBTQ voters ahead of the city’s Nov. 2 general election.
As the political arm of Florida’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, the PAC is dedicated to electing pro-equality candidates throughout every level of the state’s government. Nearly 40 volunteers knocked on almost 400 doors in the Historic Kenwood neighborhood, made nearly 600 calls and sent more than 7,000 texts.
The day began with a press conference at Punky’s Bar and Grill. Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith welcomed speakers including State Rep. Michele Rayner, former State Rep. Jennifer Webb and St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Ken Welch.
Welch was previously endorsed by Equality Florida Action PAC Sept. 17. Smith noted at the time that the former Pinellas County commissioner “has been a progressive champion on the issues that matter most to the people of St. Petersburg.”
The organization has also endorsed Copley Gerdes for St. Petersburg City Council District 1, Lisset Hanewicz for District 4, Gina Driscoll for District 6 and Richie Floyd for District 8.
“I’m really thrilled that we are joined today by some of the most dedicated volunteers in the state and by candidates who share with us the pledge that equality and fairness should be the beacon St. Petersburg represents,” Smith shared Oct. 23. “I know that we need to elect Ken Welch to make sure that the sun will still shine in St. Petersburg.”
“We have a history of moving our community forward,” Welch added. “If you haven’t learned and grown in 30 years you’re not doing it right. I’m glad to be on the right side of history with Equality Florida and with everyone here today.”
Watch:
St. Petersburg’s general election, which includes the race for mayor, will be held Nov. 2 with polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Watermark asked Welch and fellow mayoral candidate Robert Blackmon five LGBTQ-focused questions ahead of the election, detailed here. View photos from Equality Florida Action PAC’s Day of Action below, courtesy of the PAC.
Photos by J.D. Casto Photography.
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