Steve Kornell files for Jamie Bennett's seat

ST. PETERSBURG -- Social worker Steve Kornell officially entered the City Council race Tuesday.

But the seat he is gunning for might not even be on the ballot this November.

Kornell, who turned in his campaign paperwork this week, wants to replace council member Jamie Bennett, who must resign from his District 5 seat to run for mayor.

Voters will get to pick Bennett's successor only if he resigns before June or if the council approves an ordinance allowing Bennett to stay on throughout election season.

Kornell, 42, works for Pinellas County Schools and has served as a city recreation supervisor in Child's Park and Shore Acres. Most recently, he worked on Charles McKenzie's unsuccessful campaign for state representative.

Kornell is the only council candidate to have filed as of this morning. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

City Clerk Eva Andujar said Kornell can accept campaign contributions like any other official candidate, but if the District 5 seat doesn't make the ballot, he will have to give the money back.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Comments

Steve will bring a fresh perspective to the City Council because he is a smart, thoughtful, serious candidate.

Smart move by Mr. Kornell. Get out there and raise money instead of waiting on Jamie.

Bennett can not stay it is in the city charter.

"Jabil reports $275.9-million net loss"

By Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jan 12, 2009 06:38 PM

Sooooo, is that plus or minus the 35-mil in tax dollars they squeezed out of our boys and gals in the back room?

Still think they're a good investment?

"smart, thoughtful, serious" - have you ever actually ever met Steve. Those words are the exact opposite of the words most would use to describe him. He makes Ed Helms look sane.

10:26 is crazy. I wonder which unannounced candidate they are supporting, because their comments are certainly not based on firsthand experience with Kornell. Steve is one of the hardest working, principled people I know and, if elected, will be a great addition to our council. I look forward to writing a check and knocking on doors for him when the time comes.

10:57 Are you Steve Kornell or Steve Lipinski

First the Stonewalls take over the County DEC - now they want City Council?

Who else is running?

The Stonewalls can't figure out how to get "out" of a paper bag. I wouldn't worry about them.

No one else is running yet.

Maybe Norm Roache or Darden Rice will run. They always make good candidates for the Republicans.....

Is kornell gay?

Does it matter if he is gay?

Don’t laugh, 2:29, I heard that Roche was recently looking at real estate in St. Pete.

2:29, you mean as opposed to the elected Dems in Pinellas, who make good Republicans?

I think Roche and Rice are hot!

Is Kornell hot?

Now that is funny 2:39. Does it matter who runs. The D's will not win with the laughable candidates they have been running (Gonzalez, Rice, Roach, Killingsworth, Friedlander and the guy that ran against Rouson). Newt got lucky.

10:57 - do you really know Steve K?

2:36 - too many people is does. That will go over well with the chruch crowd.

You forgot to mention Samm Simpson and Max Lind - two more great Dem Candidates who know how to win.

Now that is funny 2:39. Does it matter who runs. The R's will always win with the criminal candidates they have been running (Brickfeild, Bostock, Duncan, Kriseman, Latvala, Seel, Welch, Baker and the guy with red shoes, Rouson). Pinellas County always get screwed.

You forgot to mention Stewart and Girard - two more great R Candidates who know how to steal or taxes.

The Stonewalls are having a party before the Gala on the 20th - we can check out if Steve is hot there.