Tom Keller has scheduled a fundraiser where donations to his campaign for the Clearwater City Council will be capped at $1.

CLEARWATER – Fundraising for the March municipal elections is in full swing across Pinellas County, but one Clearwater candidate says he’s handling things a little differently.

He’s hosting an “anti-fundraiser.” And he’s holding it the same night and time that his opponent is holding a more traditional event – one that Tom Keller said will cost thousands of dollars to his campaign donors.

“My get-together will take place at the same time as my opponent’s, but there won’t be fancy hors d’oeuvres or wine served,” said Keller, who’s running for Seat 4 on the Clearwater City Council. “And, my donors will be limited to a maximum contribution of one dollar.”

Keller’s faux fundraiser will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 6) at the Clearwater Family Restaurant, 18 44 N Highland Ave.

“I’m not making fun of the process,” Keller said. “But an election doesn’t have to be mean-spirited either.”

As opposed to his adversary in the race, Keller is funding most of his campaign out of his own pocket.

“I have nothing against the high rollers and well-connected special interests in Clearwater who support my opponent,” Keller said, whose friends sometimes refer to him as Thrifty Tom. “But as a typical, everyday resident of Clearwater for 33 years, I will represent typical, everyday residents on the city council.”

Keller added, “You can join the Cadillac crowd at my opponent’s fundraiser or come to mine in a jalopy.  And you won’t have to spend a penny — a handshake is worth a hundred dollars to me.”

Keller is a Florida native who has worked as a sales representative for Metro Bench since 1987. If elected, Keller said he will work to revitalize all of Clearwater, bring premium transit options to Clearwater with no tax increase, work to cut property taxes and ensure no new taxes are levied, and improve infrastructure including sewers, roads and water runoff.

Keller is seeking Seat 4 on the Clearwater council. The seat is currently held by Bill Jonson, who is terming out of office. Keller’s opponent in the race is David Allbritton.

The election is March 13. The last day to register to vote in the Clearwater election is Feb. 12. Online voter registration is available.

For information about Keller, go to votetomkeller.com.

Tom Keller | David Allbritton | Bill Jonson | Clearwater City Council | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News

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