St. Petersburg City Council appoints Brother John Muhammad to District 7 seat

ST. PETERSBURG — Brother John Muhammad, a longtime community activist and president of the Childs Park Neighborhood Association, will serve as the next City Council member representing southwestern St. Petersburg.

Muhammad, whose legal name is John C. Malone, was narrowly selected after two rounds of voting among council members at the end of an emotional and sobering four-hour meeting Thursday.

Muhammad’s support of Louis Farrakhan, a noted antisemite who leads the Nation of Islam, was under intense scrutiny and was a nonstarter for some council members. Other council members defended Muhammad’s record of service in a predominantly Black and poor community.

The choice was between Muhammad, 46, and former council member and state representative Wengay Newton.

“I’m feeling amazing,” Muhammad said between selfies with council member Deborah Figgs-Sanders, Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers and his family. “Of course, giving God all the glory because the reason that I’m here is because of whatever his will is, is going to be done.”

His appointment was narrowly confirmed later in the day after more controversy unfolded. Members of the Jewish community appeared at a later council meeting claiming Muhammad mischaracterized their position on his candidacy. Muhammad had read aloud part of a note that was sent to Flowers, who shared it with him, that wasn’t intended to be for him.

“I didn’t hear what I needed to hear to be comfortable enough,” said council chairperson Gina Driscoll. “That’s why I could not vote for him today. I would love to see what this issue, what this challenge looks like a few months from now, even a year from now.”

Council members Richie Floyd, Brandi Gabbard and Figgs-Sanders voted twice for Muhammad, and Copley Gerdes provided the swing vote after voting for law student Moneer Kheireddine in the first round. Driscoll and council members Ed Montanari and Lisset Hanewicz voted for Newton.

All applicants for the open District 7 seat were invited to Thursday’s council meeting to make their case to be appointed and take questions. The seat was left vacant following the resignation of Lisa Wheeler-Bowman last month after questions arose about whether she was still living in her district.

The other applicants — minister and financial representative Corey Givens Jr., restaurateur Daniel Soronen and social worker Glenn Wilder — did not receive any votes.

Hanewicz took particular aim at Muhammad. When questioning all candidates, she asked: “What are your thoughts about someone serving on City Council if they’re a member of an organization that is labeled a hate group based on antisemitism or other forms of hate or racism?”

“I don’t think it’s fair that you take cheap shots,” said Soronen, first up to answer the question. “I don’t think his religious views have anything to do with what he’s going to do on council.”

Muhammad remarked that it was a trick question. Hanewicz said she was “just asking the tough questions.”

“I have shown a consistent commitment to being a bridge builder that a lot of us talk about, but it seems like the inclusivity that we champion as a city only applies when we agree on certain things,” he said.

In his closing statement, Muhammad said, “I am not willing to denounce a leader of my faith, no more than a Catholic would be willing to denounce the pope.”

Gabbard noted that of all the correspondence the council received, Newton had 17 letters in support and six opposed, Givens had 38 letters in support and none opposed, and Muhammad had 98 letters in support and 49 opposed.

“For years, as a people, our works, our qualifications, our talents, our skills, have been misjudged by pure sight. This is bigger than you, my brother,” said Figgs-Sanders. “Please know this. Unfortunately you are bearing the brunt of a lot of hate that we have dealt with for years.”

Gerdes explained why he gave the advantage to Muhammad.

“I took Brother John at his word that he believes in an inclusive city and that his viewpoint is one of love for all, and I expect him over the next 14 months to show that,” he said. “If he doesn’t, then you know the voters will decide in November.”

In a statement, Mayor Ken Welch said he looked forward to working with Muhammad and thanked council members for conducting “a thoughtful and comprehensive” selection process.