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CARRIE JOHNSONJohn McQueen doesn't make it past a primary that sees council member Bill Foster garner 51 percent of the votes.
ST. PETERSBURG - John McQueen raised more than $19,000 in his bid for the City Council and had the backing of many influential city leaders, including a sitting council member.
But in the end, it wasn't enough to lift him above a five-year incumbent and a popular teacher and coach. McQueen was knocked out of the race for the District 3 City Council seat in Tuesday's primary.
City Council member Bill Foster easily surpassed his competitors with 51 percent of the vote. Northeast High School teacher Bill Dudley was the runner-up with 26 percent and will challenge Foster in the citywide election Nov. 4.
McQueen received 21 percent of the vote.
"I'm disappointed, but I appreciate all the support I've received from my constituents," said McQueen, 39, co-owner of the Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home. "We'll try again later."
Dudley, meanwhile, was ecstatic. He credited the contacts he made during his 35 years as a teacher and coach with keeping him in the race. He was Foster's football coach in 1980.
"I'm feeling really good," said Dudley, 59. "But we've got our work cut out for us. I've always said that the guy to beat in this race is Bill Foster."
The candidates were the only ones to face a primary because only District 3 drew more than two people. Two council members, James Bennett and Rene Flowers, are unopposed. A third, Richard Kriseman, is being challenged by Dennis Homol, who lost to Kriseman in 2001.
McQueen ran a well-organized campaign and had raised more than three times as much money as Foster by August. He had the support of many in the business community, as well as council member John Bryan, a longtime friend.
McQueen went on the offensive early, accusing Foster of allowing his religious convictions to cloud his political judgment. He noted that Foster opposed two popular proposals: one that relaxed the city's blue laws and another, the Human Rights Ordinance, that protects gays, lesbians and bisexuals from discrimination.
But the strategy may have backfired. Several voters Tuesday said they admired Foster for standing up for his beliefs.
"He has values," said Linda Champion, a Foster supporter who was voting at Lutheran Church of the Cross. "I appreciate that he's not afraid to ask questions."
"He's honest, and he does a good job," said Mary Greene, a retiree who voted at St. Raphael's Catholic Church."He stands up for what he believes in."
Turnout for the primary was sparse, with about 15 percent of the district's 20,155 registered voters participating. Overcast skies and the occasional drizzle throughout the day may have kept people away from the polls.
By noon, all three candidates gathered at Northeast Presbyterian Church to greet the trickle of voters. Foster and McQueen had been there since 7 a.m., even sharing an umbrella when the weather turned suddenly rainy.
"We've had some quiet spells," McQueen said. "For a while there, if we hadn't had each other to talk to... "
"Gosh, it would have been boring," Foster interrupted, smiling.
Now the stakes rise as the race shifts from District 3 to the entire city. The winner will serve a four-year council term and receive an annual salary of $24,758.
Foster, 40, said he was encouraged by Tuesday's results but wasn't taking anything for granted.
"After today, everything changes," he said. "As a citywide race, it's a whole different strategy, a whole different ballgame."
- Carrie Johnson can be reached at 727 892-2273 or cjohnson@sptimes.com