Mayoral Debates to Focus on Business, Arts This Week

Just as St. Petersburg and the candidates have caught their breath from the Aug. 27 primary, the campaigns and forums are ramping up again for the November general election. 

This week Mayor Bill Foster and Rick Kriseman will participate in topic-specific forums at the University South Florida St. Petersburg and at the Studio@620. 

Tuesday the two mayoral candidates will be at the USF St. Petersburg for a forum on economic development and small business. Wednesday the candidates will square off on a debate about the arts at the Studio@620. 

USF St. Pete political science professor Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan will moderate Tuesday night's forum.

“We are pleased to have two of our top academic experts from business and political science participate in this important event,’’ said Vivian Fueyo, interim regional vice chancellor for academic affairs, in a news release. “This is another great example of the kind of community partnerships and civic engagement USF St. Petersburg values.”

The forum is presented by LocalShops1 and USF St. Pete. 

“Small, locally owned businesses are the foundation of our local economy, and we are excited to hear the candidates’ plans to help existing businesses prosper and new ones get off the ground,” said Ester Venouziou, founder of LocalShops1, in a news release. 

Wednesday morning's mayoral forum will be focused specifically on "the arts and cultural community as an economic driver for our city of the arts," a news release said.

According to the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the forum is a time that artists, galleries, creative businesses and arts and cultural organizations can hear from the candidates on how they will support the arts. 

IF YOU GO

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. at University Student Center Ballroom, 200 6th Ave. S.
• Wednesday, Sept 11, 10:30 a.m. at the Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S.