Bellair Mayor Gary Katica is a Republican. Alex Heeren is a Democratic candidate for District 66 in the Florida House of Representatives.

SEMINOLE – Gary Katica, the Republican mayor of Belleair, has endorsed Alex Heeren for the District 66 seat in the state House of Representatives.

Heeren is a Democrat.

“I’m supporting Alex Heeren for the Florida House because we need a representative who is going to listen to us and respond to our concerns,” Katica said. “Our communities need an advocate who will protect our ability to make decisions for ourselves and stand up against efforts to erode home rule. We can count on Alex to fight for us in Tallahassee.”

Heeren said, “I want to thank Mayor Katica for his endorsement. It’s truly an honor to have the support of local elected officials like him. Our communities are tired of the status quo in Tallahassee. People want a representative who will put partisan politics aside and do what’s right. When I’m elected to the Florida House, I will always put the people of District 66 first.”

Heeren has been endorsed by many local elected officials, including Pinellas County Commissioners Charlie Justice and Pat Gerard, Pinellas County School Board Members Rene Flowers and Linda Lerner, Largo Vice Mayor Michael Smith and Commissioner Jamie Robinson, Belleair Beach City Councilmember Wanda Schwerer, and Belleair Bluffs City Commissioners Joe Barkley and Jack Nazario.

Heeren has also received the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County, the Florida Sierra Club, the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida. The campaign has also received the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction, and the district has been recognized as one that could go from red to blue by the organization Flippable.

Heeren is a technology integration coordinator with Pinellas County Schools who decided to run for office based on his concerns over the lack of effective leadership in Tallahassee. He has said he strongly believes that education is key to protecting the environment and developing sustainable, resilient communities. He advocates for the rights of local governments to determine what is best for their citizens and the accountability of elected officials to their constituents. He has a history of progressive advocacy and environmental stewardship, and deserves to be elected to the state legislature, the Sierra Club said.

Heeren is facing Republican Nick DiCeglie in the race for HD 66. HD 66 covers a portion of western Pinellas County including the north beaches from Clearwater Beach south to Indian Shores, Seminole, Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, portions of Clearwater, and the unincorporated Ridgecrest and Bardmoor areas.

The election is Nov. 6.

For information about Heeren, go to alexheeren.com.

Photo shows Gary Katica, left, and Alex Heeren.

Alex Heeren | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News

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