He is running for the District 6 seat held by Karl Nurse, who is terming out.

ST. PETERSBURG – Two former St. Petersburg City Council members are backing community activist Corey Givens Jr. in his bid to become the next voice for District 6 on the St. Pete City Council.

The seat is currently held by Karl Nurse, who is term limited. The district encompasses most of downtown St. Petersburg, parts of Midtown, and the southeast portion of the city.

Pinellas County School Board member Rene Flowers and Former Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Rev. Frank Peterman, are both backing Givens in his second run for public office.

Flowers, who defeated Givens in 2012 for the District 7 seat on the school board, said, “Corey is the strongest voice for District 6. Millennials are making moves and taking action. His candidacy comes at a time when our country needs unity the most.”

“As the city of St. Petersburg continues to transition into a place where innovative ideas are welcomed, persons from all walks of life are valued, and opportunities for growth are prevalent, I believe that we are in need of a representative who shares the same core values,” said Flowers, who introduced Givens at his campaign kickoff in January. “Corey Givens has demonstrated over time that his volunteer efforts are not to glamorize himself, but rather to elevate his community. Join me in assuring that he is given the opportunity to not just speak about it, but be about it!”

Flowers represented District 7 on the St. Pete City Council for two terms, from 1998-2006.

“My family taught me about service to community and giving back,” Givens said. “Those values are reinforced every day by my faith and my church. I’m proud to have the support of two public servants who I’ve had the privileged of working alongside of on a number of projects in our community.”

Givens is active in numerous community groups and organizations including the City Beautiful Commission, the Police Athletic League, Lakewood Elementary where he serves on the PTA and as a mentor, the St. Petersburg NAACP, the South St. Pete Citizens Advisory Committee, the Lakewood Terrace Neighborhood Association, the Council of Neighborhood Associations, and his church.

“I’ve watched Corey grow up and mature over the years. Like many of us, he’s human and has made his mistakes. But more importantly, he’s shown that he has the skill set and compassion needed to serve a culturally diverse area such as District 6,” Peterman said.

Peterman held the District 6 seat from 1997-2000. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008, representing South St. Petersburg.

Flowers and Peterman will host a birthday celebration reception for Givens from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 11 at the Chattaway in Old Southeast. The event will serve as an opportunity for voters to Meet the candidate and hear his vision for the city.

“I’m a people person, so I figured what better way to celebrate my birthday than with the community I love so dearly,” Givens said.

Givens is a St. Petersburg native. If elected, he would be the youngest Councilmember in St. Petersburg’s history.

NAACP local chapter president Maria Scruggs; Eritah “Akile” Cainion, a member of the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement; Sharon Russ, and political newcomer John Johnson have also filed to run for the seat.

Qualifying begins 8 a.m. June 8 and ends 5 p.m. June 23. The primary is Aug. 29 and the general election is Nov. 7.

For information about Givens, go to coreygivens.com.

Corey Givens | St. Petersburg Council | Elections | Rene Flowers | Frank Peterman | Karl Nurse | TB Reporter

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