For St. Pete's Sake

In this an inspiring discussion on community activism and political engagement, St. Petersburg City Council District 2 candidate Gabriel Hament shares his background, campaign priorities, and insights on local issues like climate change, juvenile justice, and civil rights in St. Pete.

Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr. Byron Green Calisch and Bior Guigni from St. Pete Pride as they share the upcoming events, initiatives, and the importance of community engagement in celebrating Pride Month in St. Pete.

In this episode, Christian and Laura interview Terry Balliet, a candidate for St. Pete's City Council District 6, discussing her background, community initiatives, and vision for the city. They explore key issues like affordable housing, small business support, youth engagement, and climate resilience, providing insights into local governance and community development. Find out more about Terr...

Join us as we interview Courtney Bermudez, a candidate for St. Pete City Council District 2, discussing local issues, environmental initiatives, and community engagement strategies. Learn about her plans to continue positive change and her commitment to responsible growth and environmental preservation. bermudez4district2.com

In this episode, Christian and Laura interview Daniel Johnson, president of Pride of Tampa, about the challenges and efforts to organize Tampa Pride amidst political opposition and community support. They discuss the origins of Pride of Tampa, the importance of inclusive celebrations, and plans for future events and community initiatives. Visit prideoftampa.com to learn more and volunteer!

Dr. Lindsey Grove is a candidate for St. Pete City Council District 6, bringing years of experience in public health and community service. As a public health practitioner she is dedicated to addressing the diverse needs of her district, which spans from downtown St. Pete to Coquina Key. Her work emphasizes the importance of having scientifically informed voices in local government, especially in...

Join us as we explore grassroots political engagement, the importance of community organizing, and the fight against political corruption with candidate for Congressional District 13, Earle Ford III. Discover how new generations are reshaping politics from the bottom up and the critical issues facing our democracy.

In this episode, Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Lee interview Luis Salazar, a dedicated community advocate and candidate for Florida State House in District 64. They discuss local politics, community engagement, key issues like housing, healthcare, and immigration, and the importance of authentic representation and collaboration in politics.https://voteluis.com/

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, hosts Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Lee discuss the current political climate, focusing on the chaos and instability stemming from the Trump administration. They delve into issues surrounding immigration, particularly ICE raids, and the implications of foreign policy decisions. The conversation highlights the importance of resistance and activism in the...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Gerken welcome Representative Lindsay Cross, who discusses her background as an environmental scientist and her advocacy for LGBTQ rights. The conversation covers pressing political issues, including the current federal administration's actions, state-level accountability, and the upcoming legislative sessio...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Gerken welcome Nikki Fried, the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party. They discuss the current political landscape in Florida, recent election results, and the importance of grassroots organizing. Fried emphasizes the need for authenticity in candidates and the challenges of running for office, particularly in...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Gerken welcome Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, a candidate for the State House in Florida. Felipe shares his inspiring journey from Brazil to the United States, his experiences as an undocumented immigrant, and his advocacy work in the immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ communities. The conversation delves into the challenges...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Gerken welcome Carla Bristol, a passionate community advocate and leader in South St. Petersburg. Carla shares her journey from corporate America to community organizing, emphasizing the importance of access to nutritious food, mental health initiatives, and empowering youth voices. The conversation explores sys...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, hosts Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Gerken engage in a deep conversation with former Congressman David Jolly about his political transformation from a Republican to a Democrat. They discuss the importance of accountability in politics, the values that guide Jolly's policies, and the pressing issues of reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights. Jolly shar...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Lee welcome Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones, the first openly LGBTQ black member of the Florida Senate. They discuss his journey in politics, advocacy for education and mental health, the challenges of navigating LGBTQ rights in a Republican-dominated legislature, and the importance of empowering young voice...

In this episode of 'For St. Pete's Sake,' hosts Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Lee engage with Vance Ahrens, a former candidate for state Senate in Florida. The conversation covers Vance's political journey, motivations for running, and the importance of community engagement. They discuss pressing issues such as anti-trans legislation, environmental concerns, gun violence, and the o...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, hosts Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Gerken discuss various pressing political issues affecting Pinellas County and beyond. They delve into the recent removal of street art in Florida, which they view as a government overreach and an attack on free speech, particularly against the LGBTQ community. The conversation shifts to the broader implications of authori...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, hosts Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Lee welcome U.S. Representative Kathy Castor to discuss pressing political issues in Pinellas County and beyond. The conversation covers a range of topics, including hurricane preparedness, the role of FEMA, housing affordability, public transportation, redistricting concerns, voter rights, and support for the LGBTQ+ c...

In this episode of 'For St. Pete's Sake', host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Gerken engage with Pete Gerken, a seasoned County Commissioner from Lucas County, Ohio. The conversation explores Gerken's extensive background in public service, labor leadership, and advocacy for LGBTQIA rights. They discuss the challenges of navigating a predominantly red political landscape, th...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and vice president Laura Gerken welcome Caprice Edmond, a member of the Pinellas County School Board. They discuss Caprice's background, her journey into politics, and the challenges faced by the school board in balancing academic needs with political pressures. The conversation highlights the importance of mental health supp...

In this episode, Christian and Laura sit down with bold and witty candidate Josh Weil for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and hard-hitting. From the disgusting “Alligator Alcatraz” to the real work of finding bipartisan common ground, Josh brings fresh perspective, fierce honesty, and a few laughs along the way. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at campaigning in Florid...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Gerken welcome Missouri State Representative Raychel Proudie. They discuss her journey into politics, the impact of personal experiences on her activism, and the challenges faced in the current political climate, particularly regarding reproductive rights and LGBTQ legislation. Proudie emphasizes the importance of l...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, hosts Christian Hotchkiss and Laura Gerken welcome Ana Eskamani, a prominent political figure in Florida. They discuss her journey into politics, the importance of community activism, and the challenges faced in a conservative political landscape. Ana shares her insights on immigration, healthcare, and LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing the need for grassroots m...

In this episode of For St. Pete's Sake, host Christian Hotchkiss and co-host Laura Lee engage with Commissioner Renee Flowers of Pinellas County. They discuss her journey in public service, the challenges of affordable housing and gentrification, the impact of property tax and homeowners insurance, and the political climate in Florida. Flowers emphasizes the importance of community engagement...

This week, Christian and Laura discuss a few national headlines before bringing it back home to Florida and closing it out with the weekly Shout Out or Shut Down. If you want to join Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas at St. Pete Pride this weekend (6/28 and 6/29) sign up here: Parade - https://www.mobilize.us/stonewalldemocratsofpinellas/event/772487/ Street Fair - https://www.mobilize.us/stonewalld...