TEMPLE TERRACE — While the political season may be taking a brief pause after last week’s primary elections, it has officially kicked off in Temple Terrace.
Five candidates have qualified for three available City Council seats in the Nov. 3 general election, setting up a race that includes one incumbent, a former candidate, two members of the city’s Board of Adjustment and two newcomers to Temple Terrace politics.
Council member Alison Fernandez is seeking re-election, while the seats currently held by Gil Schisler and James Chambers are also up for grabs. Shisler and Chambers are not eligible to seek another term because of term limits.
Joining Fernandez in the five-candidate field are Ryan Gessman, Karen Michalski, Eugene Papantoniou and Amber Treat.
Temple Terrace elections are nonpartisan, and candidates must have lived in the city for at least one year before the election. The three candidates receiving the most votes will win seats on the council.
Fernandez, who will appear on the ballot as Alison McGillivray Fernandez, is no stranger to the council dais. The King High graduate served two terms from 2008-2016 before returning to City Council after being elected again in 2022.
An accountant who has lived in Temple Terrace since 1972, Fernandez has also been involved with numerous local organizations and previously served on the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board.
Michalski is making her second consecutive run for City Council after narrowly losing to Erik Kravets in 2024. Kravets received 5,394 votes to Michalski’s 5,197, a margin of just 197 votes.
A longtime environmental advocate, Michalski currently serves as vice chair of the city’s Board of Adjustment. According to her campaign website, her priorities include strengthening the city’s finances, promoting local businesses, encouraging smart development, protecting the city’s tree canopy and improving communication between City Hall and residents.
Treat also serves on the Board of Adjustment, giving two members of that five-member city board spots in this year’s council race. She was appointed to the board in June 2025.
A small business owner active in the community, Treat is campaigning under the theme “Rooted in Community. Focused on the Future.”
Gessman brings a business and economic-development background to the race. He joined the Pasco Economic Development Council as the Economic Development Manager in 2024. According to the Pasco EDC, Gessman has more than 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, workforce development financial services and project management.
Papantoniou is a pharmacist and entrepreneur. A University of Florida College of Pharmacy graduate, he is co-owner and pharmacist in charge at Tampa-based Trinova Health, a compounding pharmacy. He is also co-founder at Epsalon Skin.
City Council members serve four-year terms and currently receive an annual salary of $9,200.
The Nov. 3 election will determine three of the four city council seats. Mayor Andy Ross and Kravets are not up for election this year.