Clearwater Native Announces Run For Clearwater Commission Seat

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater native, businessman and civic activist Michael Mannino announced his candidacy for Clearwater City Council, Seat 3.

Seat 3 is currently held by Kathleen Beckman who has announced plans to run for mayor. Current Clearwater Mayor Brian J. Aungst Sr. accepted the mayor's position temporarily after former Mayor Frank Hibbard abruptly resigned.

Mannino ran for the council in 2020 and came in a close second in a five-way race for Seat 2. Commissioner Mark Bunker won the race.

“As a lifelong resident of Clearwater, I am thoroughly familiar with our city’s history and future challenges. I’ve worked to make our city better on the Charter Review Committee and Municipal Code Advisory Board. For almost 35 years, I have given two to three days every week to our community soccer club as a player, senior trainer and coach.

“I love this city and want to make it even better. We need stability in leadership, a back-to-the-basics focus on strong city services and fiscal responsibility based on common-sense solutions.” Mannino said, “Ensuring a balance between destination and livability is important to our residents.”

Mannino has served as chairman of the Clearwater Charter Review Committee; chairman of the Clearwater Municipal Code Advisory Board; attended the Clearwater Citizens Academy; and was a member of the Forward Pinellas Citizens Advisory Committee.

He has a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor of science from Stetson University.

Mannino said he would also bring business experience to the council. He owns and operates a business with his wife Suzanne and has past licensure as financial adviser and Realtor.

He's been endorsed by Florida Sen. Ed Hooper, Florida Sen. Nick Diceglie, Florida Rep. Kim Berfield, Pinellas County commissioners Dave Eggers, Chris Latvala, Brian Scott and Dawn Peters, current and former Clearwater mayors, Brian Aungst Sr. and Frank Hibbard, Clearwater council member David Allbritton and Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski.

The Pinellas County presidential preference primary and municipal elections will take place March 19.

Patch invites candidates for office to send their announcements and a photo to dann.white@patch.com.