Seminole Council Sees Change As Lurie, Tubbs Win Seats

Seminole residents will see a shift in local government leadership after voters cast ballots for the city council. The Nov. 3 election resulted in one new member and the retention of one incumbent, while the third candidate lost his position.

According to unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, Mike Lurie received 35.5% of the vote, totaling 4,022 ballots. Kadi Hendricks Tubbs followed with 34.5%, or 3,908 votes. Incumbent Ray Beliveau placed third with 30%, collecting 3,396 of the 11,326 votes cast. Beliveau had won his initial seat in 2023 without opposition and was seeking a second term.

The positions carry three-year terms on the seven-member council. The annual compensation for the role is approximately $10,000. Tubbs was appointed to the board in February to replace retiring council member Jim Quinn. She is a Seminole native who has served on the Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole Recreation Board. She currently serves as president of Operation Military Matters, a local nonprofit that sends care packages to military personnel overseas. Her professional background includes work as a journalist and anchor in the Tampa Bay area, as well as service as a licensed real estate broker.

Lurie is a political newcomer and a graduate of Seminole High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Florida State University. He has served on the boards of the Rotary Club of Seminole, the Chamber of Commerce, Temple Beth-El in St. Petersburg, and the West Ridge HOA. Lurie founded Oakhurst Technology and Computer Services, an IT firm he sold in 2016. He now manages Lurie Properties, the family’s real estate business. He is the son of Ed and Vivian Lurie, both of whom were named Mr. and Ms. Seminole by the chamber. Ed Lurie is recognized as one of the city’s founding fathers.