Two Seminole Council Incumbents Face Challenger Mike Lurie in November

Mike Lurie is challenging incumbent council members Ray Beliveau and Kadi Hendricks Tubbs for two seats on the Seminole City Council. Lurie, who lives in Seminole, served as president of the Rotary Club of Seminole during the 2024-25 term and led water and ice distribution to the barrier islands following Hurricane Helene.

The campaign involves three candidates. Beliveau has lived in Seminole for more than 38 years and served in the Navy before working as a manufacturing engineer and manager for local companies. He currently serves as the first vice president for the Suncoast League of Cities.

Lurie graduated from Seminole High School in 1997 and earned degrees from Florida State University in 2001. He founded Oakhurst Technology and Computer Services in Seminole in 2001 and sold the business to a competitor in 2016 before taking over management of family-owned commercial real estate rentals.

Tubbs has lived in Seminole since 1978 and graduated from Troy University. Her professional background includes work as a real estate broker, property manager, television news reporter, and columnist for the Seminole Beacon. She has served as president of Operation: Military Matters since her appointment to the council in March.

The candidates differ on the city's most pressing issues. Beliveau identified Seminole's stormwater system as a challenge, noting the city inherited an old and undersized network. Lurie named Amendment 3 as the immediate concern, stating the city already operates with one of the lowest millage rates in Pinellas County. Tubbs pointed to infrastructure and public safety needs.

For the next three years, Beliveau listed replacing the recreation center, building an additional fire station in the Bay Pines area, and updating the Repetto property. Lurie identified disaster preparedness, balancing the budget against state actions affecting municipalities, and local rule. Tubbs listed completing the Bay Pines fire station, improving stormwater infrastructure, and managing community investments.

Regarding Amendment 3, Beliveau said the city could review service funding and consider non-ad valorem taxes and fees related to fire services, parks, parking, waste collection, and recreation usage. Lurie said the city has a plan to reduce nonessential services to maintain policing and fire rescue. Tubbs said she would evaluate construction costs, maintenance, and staffing.

Lurie has received endorsements from Ken Burke, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller; Janet Long, a retired Pinellas County Commissioner and Seminole City Council member; Jim Olliver, a retired Seminole City Council member and St. Petersburg College provost; and the Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors. Tubbs is endorsed by the Suncoast Tampa Association of REALTORS.