Driskell and Gerdes Endorsed Trevor Mallory
The House Democratic Leader joined a former council member in supporting Mallory for the District 6 seat.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in City Hall
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Fentrice Driskell and Copley Gerdes have officially endorsed Trevor Mallory in his bid for the St. Petersburg City Council. Mallory is currently competing against Linsey Grove for the District 6 seat.
Why it matters
These high-profile endorsements arrive as candidates prepare for the citywide runoff election to replace term-limited incumbent Gina Driscoll. The outcome of this race will determine the future representation for St. Petersburg's District 6.
Official results from the August primary recorded 1,900 votes for Linsey Grove and 1,500 votes for Trevor Mallory. The winner of the District 6 seat remains undecided pending the results of the upcoming citywide general election.
The players
Fentrice Driskell
Fentrice Driskell is the House Democratic Leader who represents a district in Hillsborough County.
Copley Gerdes
Copley Gerdes is a former City Council Member in St. Petersburg.
Trevor Mallory
Trevor Mallory is the president of Neighborhood Home Solutions and a former president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida.
Linsey Grove
Linsey Grove is the primary election candidate who secured the most votes for the District 6 seat.
Gina Driscoll
Gina Driscoll is the outgoing District 6 incumbent who is currently term-limited.
The details
Trevor Mallory, the current president of Neighborhood Home Solutions and a former leader of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, advanced to the runoff after placing second in the primary. He seeks to fill the vacancy left by Gina Driscoll, who is term-limited.
Timeline
The primary election for the District 6 seat took place in August 2026.
The citywide general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
This race follows the pattern set by St. Petersburg City Council term limit regulations by creating an open seat for District 6. Opposition voices in the district have raised concerns about the shift in representation as the city moves to finalize its post-incumbent leadership transition.
Residents of District 6 will see changes in local legislative representation following the retirement of the term-limited incumbent. The election result will determine which candidate sets policy agendas and manages constituent services for the area for the next term.
The takeaway
Voters in District 6 are now focused on the final runoff between two candidates after a crowded five-person primary. Residents should review the policy platforms of the remaining candidates before heading to the polls on November 3.
What happens next
The citywide general election is scheduled to occur on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming municipal votes, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
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