BRANDI GABBARD

Council District: St Petersburg City Council, District 2

Top 3 Priorities, If Elected:

My top three priorities when reelected will be to continue the work to address our affordable and workforce housing needs, promote and support initiatives to protect and ensure the long-term sustainability of our coastal neighborhoods, and continue to provide clear and transparent communication with residents. 

Hometown: Connersville, IN

Years in St. Pete: 17+

Age: 45

Current or Most Recent Non-Elected Occupation & Employer:

Realtor, Smith and Associates Real Estate

Current or Most Recent Elected Position:

Current St. Petersburg City Councilmember

5 Past or Present Community Service Roles or Projects:

• Pinellas Realtor Organization / President 2014
• Realtors Feeding Families with Pinellas Opportunity Council/ Founder and Volunteer 2010 – Present
• Barcley Estates Neighborhood Association Vice President 2017
• Veterans Reintegration Project Board of Directors 2010-2011
• Chamber of Commerce Member 2016-Present / Public Policy Committee 2016-2017

Up to 5 Endorsements of Your Candidacy:

• Association of Firefighters, Local 747 
• Pinellas Realtor Organization 
• The West Central Florida Labor Council, AFL-CIO
• Equality Florida 
• Ruths List

Up to 5 Organizations You Financially Support or Are a Member or Officer of:

• Habitat For Humanity
• Pinellas Opportunity Council
• Pinellas Realtor Foundation Trustee
• St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce 

Family Details:

Married for 15 years and have a 10-year-old child 

3 Specific Actions, Policies or Programs I Can Influence, if Elected, That Will Make Life Meaningfully Better for African Americans in St. Pete:

In my professional life, I’ve seen the value of safe, quality affordable homeownership.  Where the city can help, it should intervene to increase availability and access to homeownership.  Down payment assistance programs, financial literacy education, job training, and access to higher-wage jobs can move our residents toward the life-changing milestone of homeownership.  We also need to invest properly in policies and programs that will combat the food and nutrition security issues that exist disproportionately in communities of color. Healthier communities oftentimes are safer communities by design and statistically wealthier overall. Finally, planning and funding more transit initiatives is work I have done at the County level on behalf of the residents of St Pete and look forward to continuing. Connecting our residents to jobs and educational opportunities throughout the region provides economic opportunities many other communities are already afforded.