Pinellas County Commission Debate

The NAACP is hosting a dedate between Pinellas County comission candidates Renee Flowers and Darden Rice.

Date: Monday, August 4, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: NAACP - St. Pete office
Street: 1501 16th Street S
City/Town: Saint Petersburg, FL

Darden Rice News

Pinellas County Commission candidate Darden Rice received an endorsement from Florida House Rep. Janet Long.

"Darden Rice is an energetic young leader who will set an entirely new standard on how we achieve good policies on thoughtful growth management and the environment," Long said in a statement. "She presents the right set of skills and the right attitude to work hard; I know she will make a difference in Pinellas County."

The Pinellas Stonewall Democrats recommend Rice to their membership. The endorsement isn't surprising Stonewall Democrats are a LGBT Democratic Praty group and Rice has been candid about her sexuality. It is impressive how quickly Rice has lined up so many endorsements. Her campaign is amazingly well-managed for a local race.

WMNF interviewed Rice and primary opponent Renee Flowers. Rice talked to Mitch Perry about the need for fresh leadership after the Jim Smith scandal rocked the commission. Rice also expressed her displeasure over the Toyland land deal.

Darden Rice Events

CNCN will host a candidate forum. Pinellas County Commission candidate Darden Rice will be one of the paticipants.

Time and Place Date: Monday, July 21, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Crescent Oaks Country Club
Street: 3300 Crescent Oaks Blvd
City/Town: Tarpon Springs, FL

Voters will also have a chance to meet Rice at the DWCUP Meeting.

Time and Place Date: Thursday, July 17, 2008
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: St. Larry's
Street: 34980 US Hwy 19 N
City/Town: Palm Harbor, FL

Go to the Darden Rice Facebook page for the latest news.

Larry Biddle Member of Darden Rice's Team

The Alex Sink campaign used the internet better than any Florida local or state campaign. The reason for that is Larry Biddle. Pinellas County Commission candidate Darden Rice has hired Biddle to increase her internet presence.

This is a sign that Rice is serious. I scoffed at serial candidate Joe Redner for hiring Kelly Benjamin. Canidates are not going to get elected by hiring a former (and arrested) pirate radio operator. Rice received the endorsements of Rick Kriseman and Darryl Rouson because she is running a credible campaign.

Rice will face Republican Nancy Bostock in the general election. Rice's currently is the Southeast project manager of the Sierra Club.

Related links:

Darden Rice on the Issues
Darden Rice Interview

Update: Wayne Garcia did a 2007 profile on Larry Biddle.