Gulfport election features 2 Council contests and sweeping City Charter changes on the ballot

Two City Council seats and 10 local referendums are on the ballot in Gulfport, including ballot questions that would end long-term lease agreements on city property and establish or adjust term limits for elected officials.

Election Day polling locations are open until 7 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall at 2401 53 St. S. for Precinct 206 and 218, the Gulfport Recreation Center at 5730 Shore Blvd. S. for Precinct 208, and the Gulfport Neighborhood Center at 1617 49 St. S. for Precinct 209 and 210. Residents who do not know their voting precinct can enter their specific address at the Pinellas County Elections website.

As of 10:30 a.m., about 1,791 Gulfport residents have turned out to vote in-person or by mail. Election Day results are expected after polls close at the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

Councilmember Ward 1

Jennifer Daunch is a Gulfport resident who works in code enforcement in St. Pete Beach. She previously worked in community development in Treasure Island and as a former emergency dispatcher with the St. Pete Police Department and Cleveland.

Her campaign focuses on improving communication between residents and City Hall, streamlining permitting and city processes, supporting local businesses and the arts, and preserving Gulfport’s community character while maintaining safe neighborhoods and transparent government.

Joe Guenther is a longtime Gulfport resident and local business owner. His campaign highlights his experience operating a business in the city, indicating it gives him firsthand insight into how local policies affect families, workers and entrepreneurs.

The campaign is focused on fiscal responsibility, support for local businesses, balanced development, public safety and infrastructure improvements while emphasizing transparency and responsiveness from City Hall.

Councilmember Ward 3

Keri Nelson is a public administration professional with more than two decades of experience in government at the local, county and state levels. Nelson previously worked as a marine biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before moving into policy, natural resource management and coastal permitting roles in county government.

She later worked in Gulfport’s City Clerk’s office and now serves as a project manager overseeing a human resources information system modernization effort. Her campaign focuses on improving efficiency in city operations, responsible budgeting, and decision making rooted in professional experience in government administration.

Jennifer Webb is a longtime Gulfport resident and a former Democratic Representative for House District 69 from 2018 to 2020. She currently serves as Executive Director of Live Tampa Bay, previously worked on community initiatives including Project Opioid Tampa Bay, and also founded a consulting firm focused on public affairs.

Her campaign focuses on transparency, community engagement and helping the city continue recovering from recent hurricanes while planning ahead for long-term growth in a way that includes both longtime residents and newcomers.

Below is the text for each local referendum question:

City of Gulfport No. 1 Referendum Question

Limiting Leases of City Owned Property to Five Years — The City Charter currently allows leases of City owned real property for a maximum of thirty (30) years. Shall the City Charter be amended to reduce the time period for all leases of real property owned by the City of Gulfport to a maximum of five (5) years?

City of Gulfport No. 2 Referendum Question

Leases Required to be at Fair Market Value — The City Charter presently does not provide the amount or process for a lease of City owned real property. Shall the City Charter be amended to require that all leases of City owned real property be based on Fair Market Value as determined by a licensed appraiser?

City of Gulfport No. 3 Referendum Question

Terms 1 — The City Charter presently provides City Council members are elected for a two (2) year term. Shall the City Charter be amended to allow City Council members to be elected for a three (3) year term?

City of Gulfport No. 4 Referendum Question

Terms 2 — The City Charter presently does not provide term limits. Shall the City Charter be amended to establish that the Mayor and Council Members may not serve more than three (3) consecutive terms?

City of Gulfport No. 5 Referendum Question

Terms 3 — The City Charter presently does not provide term limits. Shall the City Charter be amended to require council members, who have served three (3) consecutive terms in their ward, to wait two (2) years prior to qualifying for a subsequent election for their prior office unless there are no qualified candidates for their prior office?

City of Gulfport No. 6 Referendum Question

Prohibitions — The City Charter presently provides that Council Members who are convicted of directing staff or requesting the appointment or the removal of a city employee are guilty of a criminal 2nd degree misdemeanor. Shall the City Charter be amended to remove the language regarding the potential criminal conviction of a council member of a 2nd degree misdemeanor?

City of Gulfport No. 7 Referendum Question

Vacancies — The City Charter generally provides for filling a vacancy on council. Shall the City Charter be amended to provide that the office of a city council member shall become vacant upon death, resignation, removal from office, in any manner authorized by law, or forfeiture of office upon a majority vote of remaining city council members?

City of Gulfport No. 8 Referendum Question

Forfeiture of Office — The City Charter does not provide specific provisions for forfeiture of office by members of the council. Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for forfeiture of office by council members if they lack qualifications for the office; are convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; or fail to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings or four (4) regular meetings in a twelve (12) month period?

City of Gulfport No. 9 Referendum Question

Removal From Office — The City Charter does not provide a provision for removal of a council member from office. Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for council member removal from office for violations of the City Charter or adopted rules after an independent magistrate hearing upon which there is a finding of intentional, willful, flagrant, or continuous violations?

City of Gulfport No. 10 Referendum Question

Charter Amendment — The City Charter presently provides review every ten (10) years. Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for complete review of the City Charter by a Citizens Committee appointed by the City Council every five (5) years?