Christine Brown, Barbara Banno to Run for Ward 2 City Council Seat

Gulfport resident and CERT member Christine Brown wants to be your next Gulfport City Council Member for Ward 2. Brown is challenging incumbent Barbara Banno for the spot on council.

Banno is running for her second term. "I want to continue to represent the people of this city," Banno wrote to Patch.

Banno was instrumental in passing the city's domestic partner registry and continutes to support expanding services at the Gulfport Municipal Marina. As a small business owner, Banno says she's always looking at ways to increase revenue for the city and help balance the budget.

"I think this city has some great opportunities (such as) economic development and growth. I want to finish what I started," Banno shared with Patch.

Christine Brown has run for council twice, with the last campaign about eight or nine years ago, she said.

"It's always been a desire of mine to serve the city in that way," Brown said.

Brown says because of life changes she's now able to dedicate even more time to the city. She's currently a member of the Gulfport CERT team and volunteers at many city events.

"I'm at a point in my life where the things that I do outside of my job are decreasing, my daughter's getting older and more self reliant. I'm finishing up my master's degree so I feel like I have the time now. I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm interested in the financial end of it and hoping to do everything we can to serve the citizens because we're here to serve the citizens and to be fiscally responsible," Brown said.

The Ward 2 seat is one of three council races that will be decided on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. Voters will decide who will be the next Mayor, Ward 2 Council member and Ward 4 Council member.

When Are City Elections?

The municipal elections are on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The mayor serves a three-year term and council members serve two-year terms. The voter registration deadline is Monday, February 11, 2013 for the next city elections. For more information on how to register visit the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

The qualifying period for candidates ends on Monday, Dec. 10 at noon.

Mayor's Race:

Vice Mayor Sam Henderson declared his candidacy following Mayor Mike Yakes' retirement announcement. Learn more about Henderson's decision to run for mayor in our article, "Sam Henderson to Run for Gulfport Mayor."

Former council member Bob Worthington declared his candidacy in May of this year. Learn more about Worthington in our article, "Bob Worthington to Run for Gulfport Mayor."