Bianca Latvala, a local GOP political strategist and wife of Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala, is seriously considering running for Clearwater City Council.

If she jumps in, she would be running for Seat 4, currently held by David Allbritton. Allbritton is not seeking re-election, so it will be an open race. Allbritton is also a Republican.

“I am interested in running for Clearwater City Council because public service has been a defining calling throughout my life — one I have already been committed to in meaningful and consistent ways. Serving others is not an abstract idea to me; it is work I have done, responsibilities I have carried, and values I have practiced,” Latvala told Florida Politics Friday.

“I want to continue that service by helping protect Clearwater’s quality of life, ensuring our first responders have the support they need, and encouraging thoughtful, responsible development in our downtown and throughout the rest of Clearwater.”

Latvala is affiliated with a political committee established this week, Friends of Bianca. Jamie Jodoin, a prominent Treasurer for candidates, filed paperwork to open the committee Wednesday. She is listed as the registered agent, Chair and Treasurer for the committee. The paperwork did not list a supporting candidate.

Chris Latvala was instrumental in what turned out to be a red wave in Clearwater in the 2024 election cycle. He helped now-Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector get elected, and backed Republican Council members Ryan Cotton and Mike Mannino as they won seats.

The Latvala name has long been synonymous with behind-the-scenes work on behalf of GOP candidates. Chris Latvala’s father, Jack Latvala, is a well-known force in local and state politics once considered one of the most powerful political professionals in Florida.

Allbritton was first elected to the seat in 2018, in which he collected 67% of the vote, according to the city. He won re-election in 2022, earning 56% of the vote in a three-way race.

Allbritton is a contractor and served on the Board of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Seat 5 is also up for election this year, and will be an open race. Incumbent Lina Teixeira announced this week she would not seek re-election. Sam Wilson, the District Director for Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, is expected to run to succeed her.

Candidates cannot officially file for the 2026 race until Feb. 19.

As lawmakers in Tallahassee spar over headline issues like property tax relief, redistricting and immigration enforcement, a quieter set of proposals could reshape how Florida law treats members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The bills, filed on both sides of the LGBTQ culture war, span outdated rules on same-sex marriage, flags on government property, pronoun use in workplaces, health care, criminal law and gender ideology in public schools — reviving familiar debates through measures framed around parental rights, free speech or government neutrality.

Anti same-sex marriage statute repeal

Boca Raton Democrat Sen. Tina Polsky and House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa filed legislation (SB 952, HB 6019) to repeal dormant language in Florida law prohibiting same-sex marriage. The provision has been unenforceable for years following federal court rulings and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, but language remains on the books.

Flags displayed on public property

Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough and Doral Republican Rep. David Borrero filed bills (SB 426, HB 347) to prohibit governmental entities from displaying any flag on public property other than a limited list of approved flags.

Approved flags include the U.S. flag, state flags, local government flags, the flag of a branch of the U.S. armed forces, a POW-MIA flag, the flag of an Indian tribe, the flag of a public school, official Paralympic or Olympic flags, the flag of any sporting organization hosting events in the state, and “a flag of historical significance to the government of the United States or this state.”

The bills would specifically bar flags that contain or depict symbols representing political ideology, race, gender or sexual orientation. Violations would be subject to a $500-per-day civil fine.

Workplace pronoun use

Republican Ocala Sen. Stan McClain and Republican Longwood Rep. Rachel Plakon filed legislation (SB 1642, HB 641) to prohibit covered public employers from requiring employees or contractors to use another person’s preferred pronouns if those pronouns do not correspond to the person’s sex.

The bills, titled the “Freedom of Conscience in the Workplace Act,” would also bar employees from requiring employers to use pronouns that do not correspond to the employee’s sex.

The measures would require that any employment forms requesting a person’s sex provide only “male” or “female” as options. Language would also prohibit employers that receive state funding from requiring training or instruction related to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression as a condition of employment.

Health care and Medicaid coverage

Miami Gardens Democrat Sen. Shevrin Jones and Orlando Democrat Rep. Anna Eskamani filed measures (SB 782, HB 681), known as the Health Care Freedom Act. The bills include provisions that would require Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary treatment related to gender dysphoria. The bills would also prohibit discrimination in reimbursement decisions based on gender identity.

Criminal law and the ‘panic defense’

Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Rep. Jennifer Harris, both Orlando Democrats, filed legislation (SB 336, HB 317) to eliminate the so-called “gay or transgender panic” defense in criminal cases.

The proposals would prohibit defendants from justifying or excusing violent conduct or seeking reduced charges or sentences based on a victim’s actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression — including claims involving a nonviolent sexual advance. Similar proposals have been introduced in past Sessions but have failed to clear the Legislature.

Schools and parental rights

Bills filed by Republican Fort Pierce Sen. Erin Grall and Republican St. Johns Rep. Kim Kendall (SB 166, HB 173) revisit how sexual orientation and gender identity may be addressed in public schools — an issue that has generated repeated legislative action in recent years.

The bills would prohibit “classroom instruction” on sexual orientation or gender identity in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Instruction in ninth through 12th grade would be permitted only if deemed age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate under state standards.

If approved, the bills would also expand parental notification requirements by directing school personnel to “encourage a student to discuss issues relating to his or her well-being with his or her parents.” School Districts would be barred from adopting policies that prevent staff from notifying parents about such issues, unless a “reasonably prudent” person would believe disclosure could result in abuse, abandonment or neglect.

Additional provisions require parental notice and consent before administering certain student questionnaires or screenings related to health or well-being.