Primary elections have wrapped up, but municipal elections are just getting started in Seminole.
Candidate qualifying period ended Aug. 10 and three candidates are running for two seats on the City Council.
Incumbents Ray Beliveau and Kadi Hendricks Tubbs will join Mike Lurie on the ballot Nov. 3.
The seats are for three-year terms on the council, which has seven members. The position pays about $10,000 each year.
Beliveau is seeking his second term on the council after winning his seat without opposition in 2023.
The retired engineer and U.S. Navy veteran has served on the library advisory board and is a founding member of Seminole’s Community Emergency Response Team.
He is married with two children and four grandchildren.
Tubbs is the newest member of the board.
The Seminole native was appointed by the council in February to fill the seat vacated by retiring council member Jim Quinn.
Tubbs is a longtime Seminole resident who has served on the Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole Recreation Board.
She is president of Operation Military Matters, a local nonprofit founded by her youngest daughter that sends care packages to military personnel overseas.
She has also worked as a journalist and anchor in the Tampa Bay area and is a licensed real estate broker.
When applying for the position in February, Tubbs emphasized community involvement, transparent leadership and her commitment to safer neighborhoods, support for local businesses and recreation programs.
“Seminole is where my heart is,” Tubbs said. “I’m ready to serve, listen, collaborate and work tirelessly for the families, the businesses and every resident who calls Seminole home.”
Tubbs was one of five residents to apply for the position at the time.
One of them was Lurie, a political newcomer who will be on the ballot for the first time.
Lurie is a Seminole High School alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Florida State University. He has served on the boards of the Rotary Club of Seminole, the Chamber of Commerce, Temple Beth-El in St. Petersburg and the West Ridge HOA.
He founded Oakhurst Technology and Computer Science, an IT company, before selling it in 2016. He now manages his family’s real estate business, Lurie Properties.
He is the son of Ed and Vivian Lurie. Each was named Mr. and Ms. Seminole, respectively, by the chamber. Ed Lurie was one of the city of Seminole’s founding fathers.
In his presentation to the council in February, Lurie spoke about areas for improvement such as permitting and shared a vision for the city’s growth from a population and geographical standpoint.
In a Facebook post Aug. 19, Lurie expressed his excitement for the candidacy.
“My desire to serve comes from gratitude and a genuine belief in the potential of our City,” he said. “I am committed to thoughtful, responsible public policy that strengthens our community, enhances quality of life, and reflects the values of the residents who make Seminole such a special place.”
None of the candidates have done much fundraising thus far.
As of Aug. 21, the only contributions reported were those made to themselves by Beliveau and Tubbs.