Voters Choose Barbara Banno

On Tuesday March 8th, voters elected Barbara Banno for Gulfport City Council member for Ward 2. People headed to the polls and voted by mail for the Municipal Election. According to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections unofficial results, a total of 1,598 residents voted. 67.15% of the votes went to Banno with 32.85% for opponent Avrio Taylor.

Barbara Banno received 725 absentee/mail ballots and 348 at the polls. Avrio Taylor received 328 absentee/mail ballots and 197 at the polls.

On Election Day both candidates spent time at different polling places encouraging people to vote. At the Gulfport Recreation Center, Banno supporters Nancy Kelly and Ann Marie Anderson stood their ground with “Vote for Barbara Banno” signs in hand. Barbara Banno stopped by herself to thank voters. Avrio Taylor also spent time outside the Rec Center part of the day with two supporters of his own; 6-year-old Elshender and 14-year-old Noah.

More than 100 people voted at this polling place alone. Voters Gene and Jolia Sorbo have lived here for 18 years and say they’ve never missed an election. Both voted for Barbara Banno. “She’s really pro business. She’ll also help protect our community. . . I felt she had a better message,” Jolia said.

Dave and Carol Peterson came to the polls to vote for Avrio Taylor. “He just seemed like a better candidate. They both seem good. I went by the profiles in the St. Pete Times,” Dave said. They have lived in Gulfport for a year and have voted in every election in that time.

John Koslowski says he chose Banno. “I voted for Barbara. She’s got so many signs out and I see her almost every single day. I feel like she’s working so hard on her campaign, she’ll work hard for the city.” Koslowski has lived in Gulfport for 10 years and votes in every election.

At the end of the day, both candidates met with friends and family members. Barbara Banno had a full house at her party at O’Maddy’s Bar and Grille and Avio Taylor had a small gathering of family and friends.

Banno’s campaign manager Gina Burke helped spread enthusiasm at Banno’s gathering saying, “We’ve had a very good, very positive (campaign) but we’ve been like that from the beginning.” Burke thanked everyone who voted for Banno saying, “they took the time to see what the candidate has to offer.”

After the results were final and Banno was the clear winner, the party really turned into a success. “I’m on top of the world right now . . . I worked hard, it all paid off tonight. I couldn’t have done it without my friends, family and Gina.”

Banno will be sworn into the position along with Sam Henderson (who ran unopposed for Ward 4) at the Tuesday, March 15th City Council Meeting at

“When I’m sworn in, I take so much pride in that I’ll be representing the people who voted for me. I promise to continue to be the person I am today,” Banno said.

Across town at a private gathering, volunteers with Avrio Taylor’s campaign felt disappointed with the results. Bonnie Sklaren said they did everything they could to help their candidate win. “It doesn’t take away from our efforts, and our continued belief of this candidate.”

When asked if Avrio Taylor was disappointed in the results he said, “I’m really ok with it, I know I did my best.” Taylor said he learned a lot about the political parties in the area and will use his experience to “help promote human rights in many places.” Taylor says he has an interest in international and social justice issues and will move forward in that direction.

Taylor left his gathering briefly Tuesday night to congratulate Banno personally after the results were clear Banno won the election.