Changing Perspectives & Changing Lives
Habitat’s Advocacy Commitment
As we enter into November and the dust settles on election season, Habitat remains steadfastly focused on our mission, bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. It is through this lens will we continue our critical work, engaging the entire community to build safe, decent and affordable housing for those in need. We remind everyone we are all in this together. We share the same goals of living in a happy, healthy and vibrant community.
Elections Results
Habitat would like to congratulate all of the election night winners and look forward to working with all to advance affordable homeownership within our service area. We also want to thank every candidate who decided to run for public office regardless of the outcome. Stepping into the public arena and placing the public above yourself in a noble cause. It takes passion, courage and commitment. We commend all for their willingness to serve
Congratulations on successful reelections to
US Representatives: Gus Bilirakis & Charlie Crist
State Senator Darryl Rouson
State Representative and Speaker Designate Chris Sprowls
State Representatives: Ben Diamond, Nick DiCeglie, Chris Latvala, Amber Mariano & Ardian Zika
Pasco County Commissioners: Jack Mariano, Ronald Oakley & Kathryn Starkey
Pinellas County Commissioners: Charlie Justice, Janet Long & Karen Seel
City of Dunedin Mayor: Julie Ward Bujalski
Congratulations and greetings to newly-elected officials
State Representatives: Linda Chaney, Traci Koster & Michele Rayner
Pasco County Commissioner: Christina “Fitz” Fitzpatrick
Pinellas County Commissioner: Rene Flowers
City of Dunedin Commissioner: John Tornga
City of Largo Commissioner: Eric Gerard
A special thank you to those leaving their seats
We would like to thank Representative Wengay Newton for his tireless advocacy for affordable housing throughout his years as an elected official. Representative Newton always had his constituency in his heart and provided a voice for the often voiceless. He was a consistent and welcomed sight at countless home dedications helping greet the newest homeowner to his district. We thank him for his years of public service, as well as his support of the Habitat mission and wish him well in his next endeavors.
Representative Jen Webb was an ardent supporter of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund during her time in the Florida Legislature. She went to Tallahassee with bold ideas and quickly ascended to a leadership position within the Democratic Caucus. Although Representative Webb was not victorious in her re-election, we know she will continue her work for those in need as she has done her entire career. Thank you for your service, Representative Webb.
Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch continued his father’s legacy of service to the community and did so proudly. After two decades on the county commission, his accolades are too many to list. One thing we can say about Commissioner Welch is he always had a focus on housing and supported affordable housing throughout his tenure. We thank him for all of his support over the years. We will miss having such a distinguished USF alumnus on the commission, yet know this is not the last chapter. Looking forward to seeing what he does next. Thanks again for your commitment to the community and best of luck Commissioner Welch!
Elected Officials Supporting Habitat
We would like to send a special thanks to State Senator Ed Hooper, State Representative Wengay Newton, Pasco County Commissioners Jack Mariano & Kathryn Starkey, Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice, City of New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe, and St. Petersburg City Councilmembers Ed Montanari (chair), Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Robert Blackmon for all attending dedications in October!
We thank all of the elected officials for their support of our mission and support for affordable homeownership in the community.
