“Ben is the type of leader we need,” a Diamond supporter said.
St. Petersburg, FL – Four mayors in Pinellas County joined a growing number of elected officials endorsing State Rep. Ben Diamond (@BenDiamondFL) of St. Petersburg in his race for Congress in District 13. Indian Rocks Beach Mayor Cookie Kennedy, Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson, St. Pete Beach Mayor Al Johnson and Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub all announced their support for Diamond today.
“Ben understands the complex challenges facing our beach communities,” Kennedy said. “From climate change and red tide to traffic congestion and our need for beach renourishment, our next member of Congress must be prepared to advocate for our unique needs. I am confident that Ben will work in Washington to protect our state’s environment, improve our infrastructure, and ensure that residents can enjoy our beautiful beaches for generations to come.”
“We have significant needs in Gulfport and in Pinellas for improved infrastructure,” Henderson said. “Ben understands how the federal government can play a key role in making these improvements for our residents and our businesses, and I know he will represent us well in Washington.”
“Ben has deep roots in Pinellas County, and he knows St. Pete Beach well. In Congress, I’m confident Ben will help us continue to improve and harden our infrastructure, enhance and protect our beaches and embrace economic policies that keep our tourism economy thriving,” added Johnson.
“Ben is the type of leader we need. His record in the Florida Legislature reflects his commitment to represent the interests of Pinellas County. His efforts to protect and preserve the environment, and to maintain the progress we’ve made over decades in keeping the waters in Tampa Bay clean, are critical to the success of our community,” Ayoub said.
The mayors join Pinellas County Commissioners Janet C. Long and Pat Gerard; St. Petersburg City Council members Amy Foster, Gina Driscoll and Brandi Gabbard; and Pinellas County School Board member Nicole Carr in lending their support to Diamond.
Diamond, a Democrat, is running to succeed U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in District 13, which includes St. Petersburg, Clearwater and most of Pinellas County.
A Pinellas County native, Diamond pledges to seek common sense solutions in Congress to the challenges he has focused on in the Florida Legislature. Those include climate change and the environment, criminal justice reforms to ensure everyone is treated equally regardless of race or ethnicity, and health care that is accessible and affordable.
Diamond, 42, is a lawyer who served as general counsel to former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. He was first elected to the Florida House in 2016 and has been re-elected twice. He and his wife, Christina, live in St. Petersburg with their three children.
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