Copley Gerdes eyes dad’s old City Council seat

Copley Gerdes will run for St. Petersburg City Council, District 1, he announced June 11.

Gerdes, the son of former District 1 representative Charlie Gerdes, is running to replace Robert Blackmon, who is leaving office to run for Mayor.

“I’ve had lots of conversations with civic, political, and business leaders around the city over the past few weeks. Their encouragement helped me come to this decision,” Gerdes said.

Gerdes, a Democrat, enters the race with support from Mayor Rick Kriseman.

Other candidates include John Hornbeck, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for the seat two years ago, and Republican Ed Carlson.

– Janelle Irwin Taylor, Extensive Enterprises