Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: St. Petersburg City Council, mayor, referendums and charter amendments

Linsey Grove Credit: Courtesy / Linsey Grove campaign We’re lucky to get to choose between Trevor Mallory and Linsey Grove for St. Pete’s city council. But Grove takes it. We’re voting for her over the former minor league pitcher because she supports the grassroots campaign to kick for-profit utilities out of St. Petersburg. A public utility is one of the most important decisions any city councilmember will make in the next few years. Grove, a public health practitioner and community organizer, says she won’t vote to stick us with another 30-year contract with Duke Energy.  Mallory told the League of Women Voters that he doesn’t support the city dumping Duke to run its own utility, instead saying, “there needs to be more research. Mallory, who’s worked in developing and managing affordable housing, is a fine contender. His priorities of youth programming and affordability both need investment from our city. But Grove wants those things, too. For-profit utilities and th