ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, has drawn a Republican challenger as she seeks a second term in the Florida House.
St. Petersburg Republican Ed Montanari opened a campaign account Friday to challenge Cross next year in Pinellas County’s House District 60, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Cross, first elected in 2022, had raised $107,914 for her 2024 campaign account as of Sept. 30, a finance report shows.
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Ed Montanari’s Biography
Professional
Commercial airline pilot, US Air Force pilot, instructor, and evaluator, Air Operations Officer, US Central Command.
Education and Awards
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, B.S. in Aeronautical Science; Northeast High School graduate.
The United States Air Force Special Operations School and Special Operations and Middle East Studies Courses.
Awards include Sunshine Ambassador/City of St Petersburg, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal.
Community
- Commissioner and former Chairman of the Planning and Community Preservation Commission for the City of St Petersburg
- Board member, Pinellas County Economic Development Council, Pinellas County
- Chairman, Pier Task Force for the St Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
- Vice Chairman of the Pier Working Group, City of St Petersburg
- Board member, St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee
- Board member, Louise Graham Regeneration Center
- Board member, R’Club
- Board member, Patriots Day Prayer Breakfast
- Board member, Downtown Waterfront Master Plan Committee, City Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
- Board member, St Petersburg Technology Incubator Planning Committee
- Board member, Flight 2014 Board for the St Petersburg Museum of History
- Co-Chairman of the 8/28 Alliance, City of St Petersburg
- Vice Chairman of the Pier Advisory Task Force, City of St Petersburg
- Chairman, Albert Whitted Airport Task Force, City of St Petersburg
- Committee Chairman, Major League Baseball Task Force, St Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
- Board member, Snell Isle Property Owners Association
- Church Council member and former President, Lutheran Church of the Cross
- School Board member, Lutheran Church of the Cross DayschoolPersonal
Ed has lived in St Petersburg since 1976, has two grown children, Jackie and Matthew, and is a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross in St Petersburg.
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