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In a traditionally Republican congressional district, Democrat Kelly Kirschner is making a bid to turn Florida's 16th Congressional District blue, with support from Black voters in south St. Petersburg potentially playing a pivotal role in the race.The former Sarasota mayor is challenging Republican Sydney Gruters for the seat previously held by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.
According to Kirschner's campaign, Pinellas County is home to more than 56% of the district's Black voters, with many concentrated in south St. Petersburg. The community, previously represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, was moved into District 16 under Florida's revised congressional map.
"They didn’t ask to be redrawn, and they deserve a representative who shows up. Our campaign is in St. Pete every day earning their trust and their votes," Kirschner's campaign shared with Power Broker.
The six-county district encompasses portions of St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Pinellas County’s barrier islands, Manatee County, eastern Sarasota County, DeSoto County, Hardee County, and southern Polk County.
With Pinellas and Manatee counties accounting for approximately 85% of the district's population, Kirschner has placed particular emphasis on connecting with voters in those communities, particularly Black voters whose political influence could prove consequential in a competitive race.
According to an internal August campaign poll shared exclusively by Kirschner’s team, Kirschner led opponent Gruters 53% to 19% among Black respondents, with 28% undecided. After respondents received additional information about both candidates, Kirschner's support increased to 78%, compared with 11% for Gruters, according to the campaign.
While the findings reflect internal campaign polling rather than independent election results, they suggest an opportunity for Kirschner to build support among a voting bloc that has historically leaned Democratic.That support comes with an obligation to address the everyday challenges facing residents. His initiatives around healthcare — including Black maternal health, Social Security, Medicare, affordable housing, and education — has resonated with many Black voters in Pinellas.
"Black families in south St. Pete are dealing with the same insurance bills, healthcare costs and rising rents as everyone else in this district, and too often their voices aren’t heard," Kirschner shared with Power Broker.
Black Voters Weigh In
Across south St. Petersburg, several Black voters and community leaders who support Kirschner point to his accessibility, commitment to underserved communities and willingness to challenge political interests as reasons for backing his candidacy.
With Kirschner campaigning for a redistricted, voters like Danny E. White, the president of RaceWithoutIsm, Inc. says his versatility as a seasoned public servant and prioritized affordability brings a viable agenda for change to the campaign. “In the case that he is running in redistricted territory, I think his election would be proof that the will of voters is not an absolute that can (be) determined by imaginary lines,” said White.
For Bishop Manuel Sykes, the decision comes down to a candidate's being present and respect for the people he hopes to represent. Sykes shares with Power Broker that for him, unlike his opponent, Kirschner shows a “genuine desire to get to know the people in the community.”
“He is not a bought and ‘paid for candidate’ and he has done the difficult work of traveling the length and breadth of his constituency. He has overcome difficult challenges due to gerrymandering and I believe has fought a valiant race against his opponent,” said Sykes.
Sykes added, “Another thing that’s very important to me as a pastor and leader is that candidates demonstrate respect for our community. This happens by showing up making themselves known and seen among our community members. I council my members to avoid voting just because of their party, but taking a closer look at the behavior and respect demonstrated to persons whose votes they’re soliciting.”
Dr. Katurah Jenkins-Hall Aquil, a licensed clinical psychologist, has known Kirschner for eight years. She says her support is rooted in years of observing his advocacy and commitment to equity.
“I have witnessed his commitment to immigrant rights, health equity, and equal opportunity, grounded in his belief that every person deserves fairness, compassion, and respect,” said Jenkins-Hall Aquil. “His understanding of the challenges facing marginalized and underserved communities reflects a conviction that meaningful change requires more than words—it demands action. He doesn’t back down from a righteous fight!”
Other supporters say economic opportunity and the rising cost of living are among their top concerns.
“I want Kelly to fight for affordable housing, opportunities for small businesses, and an economy where working families can get ahead,” Roy James shared with Power Broker. “We need leadership that listens to our communities and turns those priorities into meaningful results.”
His stance on healthcare and government accountability are also driving voter support.
“I like his plan for protecting healthcare and his willingness to hold people accountable,” said Renee Edwards. “ We need someone in there who will be present and fight for us.”
For Adrienne Reddick, the stakes extend beyond local concerns to federal spending, immigration enforcement and U.S. foreign policy. Reddick tells Power Broker she wants Kirschner to hold the executive branch of the government accountable.
“I want Kelly to fight for affordable healthcare, end the war in Iran, and rein in an out-of-control immigration enforcement agency,” said Reddick. “Kelly’s victory is important because Gruters would rubber-stamp the current president’s actions.”
Other supporters believe Kirschner's leadership style could help bridge political divides. Terri Lipsey Scott believes Kirschner will bring a “fresh perspective and a strong commitment” to representing his district.
“Kelly understands the importance of collaboration, accountability, and ensuring that every voice has a seat at the table,” said Scott, who is executive director of the Woodson Museum in St. Petersburg.
Dr. Rene Y. Robinson-Flowers also pointed to Kirschner's professional and public service experience as qualifications for the role.
“From an educator at Eckerd College to serving as mayor for a metropolitan community, Kevin has what Washington needs,” says Robinson-Flowers. “ It’s time to bring sense back to a community where collaboration was once commonplace.”
Support Among Black Community Leaders
Kirschner’s campaign has secured endorsements from several local prominent Black community leaders, including Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers, St. Petersburg City Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders and former Sarasota mayors Willie Charles Shaw and Fredd Atkins.
Additional supporters include business owner and U.S. Army veteran "Fancy Nancy" Dunham, former Raiders offensive tackle Henry Lawrence, Sowing Seeds Tennis President and Coach Rob Perry, faith and human rights leader Imam Askia Muhammad Aquil and Reverend Charles S. McKenzie Jr.
Kirschner’s Outline
If elected, Kirschner tells Power Broker his first priorities would focus on three areas: making healthcare and housing-related costs more affordable, reducing the influence of money in politics, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. He also supports establishing a national catastrophic reinsurance backstop, which would help distribute the financial risks associated with major disasters.
“Families are dropping health coverage just to keep the home insurance their mortgage requires,” said Kirschner. “I’ll fight for a national catastrophic reinsurance backstop so Floridians aren’t carrying a risk the whole country should share, and I’ll work to expand the ACA, reverse Medicaid cuts, and let Medicare negotiate more drug prices.”
His position on Social Security and Medicare is equally firm.
"You paid into them with every paycheck. I won’t vote to cut them or raise the retirement age. Those are earned benefits that will be paid to the beneficiaries."
Kirschner says his approach is influenced by leaders willing to challenge established political systems, including U.S. Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey and Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who is running for governor.
“Andy took on New Jersey’s rigged party-line ballot system when everyone told him to wait his turn, and he won,” said Kirschner. “Rob isn’t in Congress but running for governor of Iowa. As Iowa’s auditor he’s followed the money no matter whose party it embarrassed. That’s the job.”
Kirschner explained, “Corruption isn’t an abstract Washington problem. It’s why your insurance premium keeps climbing, why a drug costs triple what it should, why the same issues show up on the ballot every two years and never get fixed. Somebody is getting paid to keep them unsolved. I’m going to Washington to work for the people paying the bills, not the people sending them.”
Flipping a traditionally Republican district will require more than enthusiasm from Democratic voters. Kirschner must build a coalition capable of overcoming the district's Republican voting history, including strong turnout in south St. Petersburg and support from voters across the district's other counties.
Translating Support to Action
During Power Broker's Power of the Vote Collective virtual fireside chat on Sept. 28, Kirschner spoke about the importance of service, accountability and empowering communities, reflecting on a lesson he learned during his time in the Peace Corps.
“One of the things that they taught us on day one in orientation [Peace Corps], was your job is not that the community where you serve erects a marble statue of you when you leave,” said Kirschner. “Your job is that you are leaving the place where the community has a greater sense of self-efficacy, of their belief to empower themselves to make their lives better. And when you do that, you are that much more successful of a volunteer.”
Whether Kirschner can translate that philosophy and his support among Black voters into an electoral victory remains to be seen.
But with more than half of the district's Black electorate residing in Pinellas County, south St. Petersburg could play a significant role in determining whether Democrats can flip the seat in November.
Early voting ends Nov. 1 in Pinellas County. The general election is Nov. 3.
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