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Politics

Kriseman goes from City Council to House

By MELANIE AVE
Published November 8, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Democrat Richard Kriseman rose from City Council member to state representative Tuesday when he defeated a recent college graduate for the House District 53 seat.

A St. Petersburg City Council member for the past six years, Kriseman, 44, held a strong lead throughout the night over Republican Thomas Piccolo. The 23-year-old wanted to make the Legislature his first professional job after graduating from the University of South Florida.

Kriseman, an attorney, beat Piccolo with 60 percent of the vote.

District 53 covers north central St. Petersburg.

Kriseman, whose last day as a council member was Monday, attributed his win to a positive campaign.

"I think people were tired of negative campaigning," said Kriseman, as he celebrated with supporters at Bella Brava restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg.

"They wanted to know what it was I believe in and what I wanted to do when I got to Tallahassee."

As a lawmaker, Kriseman said, he will back higher pay for teachers, smaller class sizes and property tax relief.

He hopes to make stabilizing the home insurance market a priority and supports phasing out the state-backed insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance.

Piccolo, a first-time candidate and former USF student government president, gathered with supporters at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill in St. Petersburg.

"It's disappointing to say the least," Piccolo said.

"It was an amazing experience. I met a lot of great people from both sides of the aisle."

Kriseman "ran a great campaign. I wish him the best," Piccolo said.

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 01:29:00]