Lisset Hanewicz and Richie Floyd were sworn in Thursday as Chair and Vice Chair of the St. Petersburg City Council, stepping into leadership roles as the city heads into the new year.

Hanewicz, who represents District 4, said she is focused on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and long-term resilience as she steps into the Chair role.

“I’m deeply grateful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as Chair of the St. Petersburg City Council,” Hanewicz said in a statement. 

Born in Tampa and raised in Miami, Hanewicz is the daughter of Cuban exiles who came to the United States during the Freedom Flights. She was the first in her family to attend college and law school. She went on to serve as an Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County and an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Florida. 

Elected to the Council in 2021, Hanewicz has served on multiple committees ranging from the Arts Advisory Committee to the Budget, Finance, and Taxation Committee, and has represented the city on the Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors since 2022.

“As public servants, our responsibility is to make thoughtful, informed decisions that invest in our community and secure a strong future for our City,” she said. “I look forward to continuing this work with my colleagues on City Council, Mayor (Ken) Welch, and his Administration as we serve as careful stewards of the City’s budget, prioritize public safety and infrastructure, and ensure St. Petersburg remains a resilient, thriving place for all.”

Floyd, who represents District 8, said he is ready to take on his new role as Vice Chair. 

A Florida native originally from Fort Walton Beach, Floyd is an engineer by trade and has worked for Pinellas County Schools, Honeywell Aerospace and Micro Systems Inc. Since his election in 2021, he has chaired the Health, Energy, Resilience and Sustainability Committee and the Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee and currently serves on the city’s Public Arts Commission.

“I’m honored to have the confidence of my colleagues,” Floyd said. “As Vice-Chair, I will work diligently to make life better for every St. Petersburg resident.”

Mayor Ken Welch congratulated the Council members on their new leadership roles while also recognizing former Chair Copley Gerdes, who led the Council through 2025.

“I have full confidence that they will continue to serve our residents with integrity in their new roles,” Welch said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Chair Hanewicz, Vice-Chair Floyd and the entire City Council in the upcoming year.” 

“I also want to recognize Council Member Copley Gerdes for his work this last year,” he added. “During his time as Council Chair, he was a thoughtful leader who worked hard on behalf of all residents, and I thank him for his service. Together, we will continue to make St. Petersburg a community that reflects the needs of all of our residents and prioritizes inclusive progress.”

Gerdes thanked colleagues for their support during his year as Chair and expressed confidence in the incoming leadership.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust, faith, and support my colleagues extended to me throughout this time, support I will never forget,” Gerdes said. “I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to incoming Chair Lisset Hanewicz and Vice-Chair Richie Floyd. I am confident in their leadership and know they will do an exceptional job serving our community and continuing the important work ahead.”

Republican House District 74 candidate Kelly Ann Walker reported a strong first fundraising quarter, announcing more than $250,000 in cash on hand as the campaign heads into the 2026 election year.

She aims to succeed term-limited Sarasota state Rep. James Buchanan, who has endorsed one of her opponents, Nick Pachota, in a crowded GOP Primary.

Walker said both her campaign committee and an affiliated political action committee posted “impressive fundraising totals, positioning the campaign strongly heading into the election year.”

“This incredible outpouring of support shows that Sarasota families are ready for principled, conservative leadership in Tallahassee,” Walker said in a statement. “I’m beyond grateful to every supporter who believes in our mission to protect freedom, strengthen our economy, and stand up for the values that make Florida great.”

Walker faces Pachota, Chris Felder, Les Nichols and Jennifer Winkler during the Primary, with the victor running against Nancy M. H. Simpson during the General Election unless another Democrat files to oppose her. Pachota has raised $89,035, Felder has raised $2,782, and Winkler has raised $18,695 as of September, while Nichols has raised $6,937 as of December, according to their most recent reports. Simpson has not raised any funds.

Walker has centered her early outreach on fiscal responsibility, public safety, parental rights, veterans and military families, agriculture and small-business support.

“We’re well-positioned to run a powerful, focused, disciplined, and competitive campaign and take our message directly to voters across the district,” Walker said.

Walker, who moved to Florida in 2005, grew up in Manatee County and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and an MBA from Stetson University. Her professional background includes work in Washington, D.C., where she worked in the House for U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube, as well as in roles on Republican political campaigns.

Locally, Walker serves as Secretary of the Sarasota-Manatee Young Republicans and sits on the board of Central Florida Warriors Hockey, a nonprofit that supports disabled veterans. She remains actively engaged with the community, “working alongside veterans, families, small businesses, and Florida’s farmers to defend conservative values.”

Now term-limited, James Buchanan running for the Senate District 22 seat to replace term-limited Sen. Joe Gruters, leaving the HD 74 seat open. Gruters, meanwhile, now serves as Chair of the Republican National Committee.