Figgs-Sanders, Harting, Givens In Lead: St. Pete City Council Results

Updated: Tuesday, 11:50 p.m.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Incumbent Deborah Figgs-Sanders had a strong lead in the St. Petersburg City Council District 5 race Tuesday night, according to unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office.

With all precincts reporting results by 9 p.m., she earned 64.7 percent of the votes while her challenger, Torrie Jasuwan, took home nearly 35.3 percent, unofficial results show.

"It’s been a journey! An experience! A blessing! You know prayers are powerful! Authenticity is valuable and no weapon formed shall prosper against you as you walk in the light of truth," Figgers-Sanders wrote in a Tuesday night Facebook post. "Thank you all so much! Right now I have almost 100 text and calls to respond to and I promise I will! But, tonight I send love and a hug! My heart is full and your support appreciated!"

The two other St. Pete City Council races being decided Tuesday are much closer.

In District 3, Mike Harting has the lead in a close race against Pete Boland. Harting earned 50.36 percent of the vote, while Boland took home 49.64 percent, unofficial results said.

In District 7, Corey Givens Jr. took home 52.37 percent of the votes, while his opponent, Wengay “Newt” Newton, earned 47.63 percent, according to unofficial results.

Most Florida polling places, including those in Pinellas County, closed at 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday, while some counties in the Panhandle are open until 8 p.m. EST because they are in the Central time zone.

For full coverage of the election in Florida, go here.

Those who voted by mail can also track the status of their ballot here.

While St. Petersburg voters had a say in federal, county and state, many residents are also interested in local city council elections.

The following city races were on the ballot:

Council Member - District 3

• Pete Boland
• Mike Harting

Boland, a restaurateur who owns The Galley and Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern, told Patch that his top three issues in the city are affordability, flooding, and managing our growth.

“I’m running out of a sense of responsibility to my colleagues, neighbors, fellow natives, fellow residents and small business community. I want to improve our business climate and be a champion for small business,” he said. “I want to fight for storm water & infrastructure improvements to flood prone neighborhoods like Shore Acres. I want to inspire greater civic pride and community involvement and to put St Pete First. I want to bring common sense good governance to city hall and get things done.”

Harting, a restaurateur who owns 3 Daughters Brewing, “is running for St. Pete City Council to bring jobs to our city, make our communities affordable again, repair our infrastructure, and protect opportunity for future generations,” according to his campaign website.

His plan for St. Pete includes the following, his website said:

• Attract great jobs.
• Protect our water.
• Create workforce housing.
• Improve public safety.

Harting didn’t respond to a Patch candidate questionnaire.

Council Member - District 5

• Deborah Figgs-Sanders
• Torrie Jasuwan

Incumbent Figgs-Saunders told Patch that the primary issues she’s focusing on in St. Pete is “housing (homelessness/insurance), infrastructure and environmental protection/sustainability.”

She said she’s running for office “to continue addressing issues most concerning and supportive of our constituents through policy.”

Jasuwan told Patch that her main areas of concern are “affordable and workforce housing shortage, increasing insurance rates and taxes, keeping up with infrastructure — improving sewage systems and preventing flooding.”

“I hate politics — but I love St. Pete. As a third generation native our city’s future is important to me and I want all of our children and grandchildren to be able to live and thrive here,” she said. “Our city is growing immensely and without proper leadership we are at risk of losing the St. Pete we love- a St. Pete that is home for ALL. We have to lower taxes and keep our city safe, our infrastructure efficient and give all of our citizens the access to services they need.”

Council Member - District 7

• Corey Givens Jr.
• Wengay “Newt” Newton

Givens, who didn’t respond to a Patch candidate questionnaire, said the city’s “challenges are real – from public safety to workforce housing and environmental sustainability,” according to his website.

“I am running to fight back against special interests, stick up for neighborhoods and bring the voice of the people back to City Hall,” he said.

The following are his primary issues, his website said:

• Keep our streets safe.
• Protect our land and water.
• Support our parents and our schools.
• Increase affordable housing.

Newton, who previously served as a state representative, told Patch that his three main goals for St. Petersburg are ensuring that the Tropicana Field redevelopment with the Tampa Bay Rays moves forward, addressing the need for affordable housing in the city, and alleviating the flooding in Snell Isles and Shore Acres.

After working at the state level, “I return to St. Petersburg with the relationship and bridges that I have built that enabled me to bring home millions for St. Petersburg and District 7,” he said. “I want to continue being a champion that is visible and vocal on issues of importance for the people in St. Petersburg and District 7."

He added, "Real leadership is about self-sacrifice, commitment and truly caring about people. As a statesman, I believe in people, over the politicians. I want to continue serving as your voice on the St. Petersburg City Council. A voice that echoes your concerns. A voice that matters. A voice that cares.”