Architect David Glenn Jr. to challenge Kathleen Peters for Pinellas County Commission District 6

Architect David Glenn Jr. has filed to challenge longtime incumbent Kathleen Peters for the Pinellas County Commission District 6 seat, setting up a contested race for a post that has often drawn no opposition.

Glenn’s entry ensures voters will have a contested race for the District 6 seat in the upcoming election cycle. Peters, who filed in April, has run unopposed during recent election cycles, but has already raised $63,650 for her re-election campaign nonetheless.

Glenn filed his candidacy paperwork with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections on Dec. 10. While his campaign website is still listed as “coming soon,” Glenn has launched a Facebook page and used the platform to publicly announce his run, sharing photos and outlining his priorities for county government.

Glenn describes himself as a registered Florida architect and interior designer who has lived in Pinellas County since 2000. He said his decision to run is driven by frustration with entrenched county leadership and a desire to bring new ideas to local government.

Glenn’s platform places a heavy emphasis on land use and development policy, arguing that Pinellas County’s limited remaining land requires a shift toward denser, more carefully planned growth. He calls for creation of high-density overlay districts in non-flood and non-evacuation areas to concentrate future development in key sectors, balanced with surrounding lower-density neighborhoods to preserve their character.

Under his proposal, homeowners could sell transferable development rights, or “air rights,” to higher-density projects. Glenn argues that increased density would expand the county’s tax base, support job creation and ease pressure on property tax rates.

Glenn is also calling for increased investment in county services. His platform highlights public transit funding for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, expanded support for county parks and recreation, and longer operating hours for county libraries.

He also advocates for streamlined county building and zoning departments to reduce development delays, and for increased support for county-operated animal services and rescue organizations.

Glenn also emphasizes a need for affordable housing. He proposes the creation of dedicated housing developments for teachers and first responders near their workplaces, as well as expanded housing options for veterans and seniors. 

He also supports adopting a countywide nuisance ordinance aimed at addressing problematic short-term rental properties, drug houses and chronic code violators. He said such an ordinance would give county staff and law enforcement additional tools to address properties that disturb their neighborhoods.

Glenn pledged to model part of his public service approach after former Gov. Bob Graham’s “Workdays” initiative, committing to spend time working alongside residents in different jobs and settings to better understand day-to-day challenges.