Florida NOW Advocates for Reproductive Freedom, LGBTQ+ Equality, and Economic Justice
- Florida NOW, a feminist advocacy group based in the U.S., has endorsed Courtney Bermudez in her bid for St.
- According to Florida NOW’s official statement released June 19, the endorsement reflects shared priorities with Bermudez on reproductive freedom, economic justice, and gender-equality policies.
- Petersburg’s District 2 race intensifies, with Gabbard, a conservative-leaning council member, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and neighborhood safety in her campaign messaging.
Florida NOW, a feminist advocacy group based in the U.S., has endorsed Courtney Bermudez in her bid for St. Petersburg’s City Council District 2, marking a strategic alignment between progressive organizations and local elections amid rising political polarization. Bermudez, a community organizer and former candidate in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, faces incumbent Brandi Gabbard in a race that could shift the balance of St. Pete’s council, where reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections remain contentious issues.
According to Florida NOW’s official statement released June 19, the endorsement reflects shared priorities with Bermudez on reproductive freedom, economic justice, and gender-equality policies. "Courtney Bermudez has demonstrated a clear commitment to advancing equity in St. Petersburg," said Gabriel Hament, Florida NOW’s policy director. "Her platform aligns with our mission to protect marginalized communities from legislative rollbacks at both state and local levels."
The endorsement comes as St. Petersburg’s District 2 race intensifies, with Gabbard, a conservative-leaning council member, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and neighborhood safety in her campaign messaging. Bermudez, meanwhile, has framed her run as a direct challenge to Florida’s restrictive abortion laws—passed in 2024—which she argues disproportionately harm low-income residents. "This election isn’t just about one seat; it’s about whether St. Pete will stand with its most vulnerable residents or bow to anti-equality policies," Bermudez said in a June 18 interview with The Tampa Bay Times.
Florida NOW’s involvement underscores the broader national trend of advocacy groups funneling resources into local races to counter what organizers describe as a "domino effect" of anti-reproductive legislation. The National Organization for Women (NOW) has similarly backed Bermudez, with NOW Florida president Gina Driscoll calling the race "a litmus test for progressive values in Pinellas County." Driscoll noted that St. Petersburg’s council has historically resisted state-level restrictions, such as the 2024 ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which she said "threatens the health of trans youth in our community."
Why this race matters
St. Petersburg’s City Council has increasingly become a battleground over how local governments respond to Florida’s conservative legislative agenda. District 2, which includes neighborhoods like Snail Trail and parts of downtown, has seen rising tensions over zoning disputes and police accountability—issues Bermudez has tied to broader equity concerns. Gabbard, who has opposed council efforts to limit police budgets, has framed the election as a choice between "law and order" and "progressive overreach."
The Florida NOW endorsement adds weight to Bermudez’s campaign, which has struggled to match Gabbard’s name recognition. Polling data from the St. Petersburg Times in June showed Gabbard leading by 8 percentage points, though Bermudez’s campaign argues the gap has narrowed in recent weeks. Florida NOW’s financial support—including a $15,000 donation announced June 19—could help close that margin by funding digital ads targeting undecided voters in the district’s diverse Latino and Black communities.
| Comparing the candidates’ stances | Issue | Courtney Bermudez (Progressive) | Brandi Gabbard (Conservative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abortion Rights | Opposes Florida’s 2024 ban; supports local sanctuary policies | Supports state law; argues local governments can’t override it | |
| LGBTQ+ Protections | Backs inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances | Opposes "social experiment" policies like gender-neutral bathrooms | |
| Police Funding | Advocates for defunding "unnecessary" military-style units | Supports full police budgets, calls for "tougher enforcement" | |
| Housing Equity | Proposes rent control measures for affordable units | Opposes rent control, favors private-sector solutions |
What happens next
The race will culminate in a November 5 runoff if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote in the August 20 primary. Bermudez’s campaign has set a goal of registering 2,000 new voters in District 2 by October, with Florida NOW’s endorsement expected to mobilize its 12,000-member base. Gabbard, meanwhile, has launched a direct-mail campaign targeting senior voters concerned about property taxes—a key issue in the district.
Analysts note that the outcome could influence Pinellas County’s 2027 redistricting process, where council seats may be redrawn to reflect demographic shifts. "This election is a dry run for how progressive groups can flip local boards across Florida," said Dr. Courtney Jung, a political science professor at the University of South Florida. "If Bermudez wins, it sends a signal to Tallahassee that cities won’t quietly accept state-level restrictions."
Florida NOW’s endorsement also highlights the group’s expanding role in local politics, moving beyond lobbying to direct candidate support. The organization, which has chapters in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, has historically focused on ballot initiatives but has increasingly backed municipal candidates in response to what executive director Maria Rodriguez calls a "war on women’s rights" at the state level.
How voters can get involved
Residents in District 2 can track candidate positions at St. Petersburg’s official election portal or contact Florida NOW’s voter engagement team at voter@floridanow.org. Early voting begins July 15, with the primary on August 20.