Republican Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters is kicking off her re-election campaign next week, where she will highlight her record of fiscal restraint, coastal protection and public safety as cornerstones of her tenure.

The kickoff is Tuesday at Island Way Grill located at 20 Island Way in Clearwater Beach, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is expected to attend as an invited guest.

Hosts for the kickoff include a who’s who of GOP politics supporting the Republican incumbent, including Pinellas County Commission colleagues Dave Eggers, Chris Latvala, Chris Scherer and Brian Scott; state Sens. Nick DiCeglie and Ed Hooper; state Reps. Linda Chaney and Berny Jacques; Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County Tax Collector Adam Ross; Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector; former Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls; former state Sen. Jack Latvala; former St. Petersburg City Council members Robert Blackmon and Ed Montanari; and more.

Peters was first elected to the Pinellas County Commission in 2018 after serving in the Legislature since 2012 and as the Mayor of South Pasadena before that. Her victory was a big deal for a Republican who had left her position in the House before term limits required it, arguing that the chamber had become hyperpartisan.

She now serves on a Commission with a GOP supermajority, with just one Democrat sharing the dais. She was recently named one of the Tampa Bay area’s most powerful politicians by a panel of political strategists, lobbyists, reporters and others for Florida Politics.

Peters established herself early on as a champion for mental health, an issue that easily transcended partisan politics and earned Peters a place as a lawmaker who did what was right, not just politically expedient.

Now, she continues to assert her independence even with the political majority, pushing vociferously for beach nourishment, a critical issue for coastal residents.

Peters led a delegation of local officials to Washington to fight for beach nourishment needed after the devastating 2024 hurricane season. Her visit followed Peters’ additional efforts to restore federally funded beach nourishment along Pinellas County’s Gulf Coast. That includes multiple discussions with both the former and current Presidents, as well as a letter to President Donald Trump in February that was sent with the support of the entire County Commission.

“Kathleen is a staunch advocate for beach nourishment, one of Pinellas County’s most critical needs for protecting infrastructure and property from future storms,” said Scott, who currently chairs the Commission. “In times of crisis — such as the three hurricanes that impacted Pinellas last year — she has shown true leadership, decisiveness and compassion for our community.”

And on mental health Peters has pushed for reforms that connect residents with care while reducing the strain on emergency rooms, law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

“Kathleen has become a tireless advocate for mental health reform, passing legislation to provide better preventive services and treatment — rather than jailing people,” Gualtieri said. “She’s always been a strong supporter of law enforcement and first responders, and it’s policies like this that support law enforcement’s mission and keep communities safe.”

Even before the Commission went red in 2022, Peters was successful in gathering consensus for tax cuts, something even more relevant in today’s political climate as the DeSantis administration pushes local governments to slash property taxes.

“Kathleen has consistently demonstrated fiscal responsibility, championed public safety, and supported policies that promote economic growth,” DiCeglie said. “Her collaborative approach and deep understanding of local issues make her an invaluable asset to Pinellas.”

In all, Peters is launching her re-election campaign with support from at least 47 people, a number she finds humbling.

“I’m so thankful for the support of the community and my colleagues, and proud of what we’ve accomplished so far on the County Commission,” said Peters, who is seeking her third term on the Commission. “Whether it’s protecting our critical beaches and assisting the recovery from the storms, or working to cut taxes for our residents, I’m ready to continue that work.”

So far, Peters is unopposed. She has raised nearly $33,000 for her re-election, according to campaign finance data.

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