Tim Hughes seeks Pinellas County Commission District 2 seat

Tim Hughes, a Democrat who says he is a retired environmental professional, is running for Pinellas County Commission District 2 (At Large) in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Brian Scott, according to BallotReady election data.

According to his campaign website, Hughes lives in the Skycrest neighborhood of Clearwater, near the center of District 2.

Candidate information

The following information is from Hughes' campaign website unless otherwise noted:

Party: Democratic
Office sought: Pinellas County Commission, District 2 (At Large)
Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
Residence: Skycrest neighborhood, Clearwater
Education: Associate of science in environmental studies
Education: Bachelor of arts in environmental health and safety
Ballot status: Certified for the ballot (per BallotReady)

Experience and public service

Hughes says he worked as a watershed and floodplain professional at a county public works environmental management division, in the watershed management branch.

He also says he served as a board member on the Clearwater Community Resiliency and Leisure Services Board, formerly the Environmental Advisory Board. He holds the title of conservation chair at the Suncoast Sierra Club, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

Hughes has outlined positions on several policy areas through his campaign website.

He also posted issue responses on his campaign site via BallotReady.

Environment and energy: Hughes says the most urgent environmental issue in Pinellas County is growing population density, loss of green space and the threat of losing funding for services due to the property tax reform referendum. He says parks and public works programs like drainage inspection and stormwater management would be at risk.

He proposes launching a tree-replenishment program to replace trees destroyed by hurricanes, prioritizing native species like live oaks and bald cypress. He also calls for targeting dense neighborhoods with urban forestry to reduce heat and using county land-acquisition funds to protect open spaces and wetlands.

On energy, Hughes says he would draw on his background in solar energy law to streamline county permitting for solar installations. He proposes expanding financing programs for energy-efficient upgrades and directing clean-energy savings to fixed-income seniors and low-income families.

Infrastructure: Hughes says he would allocate capital improvement funds to inspect and upgrade county drainage basins and pump stations. He proposes coordinating with St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Pinellas Park to address utility bottlenecks and repairing aging sewer lines to prevent sewage backups.

He says he would draw on federal Clean Water State Revolving Funds and bipartisan infrastructure grants. Hughes also says he would form a task force with county and municipal staff to share state-mandated comprehensive land use plans and vulnerability studies, focused on reducing long-term flooding risks.

Transportation: Hughes says he would form a task force with Pinellas County staff, Forward Pinellas and neighboring counties including Hillsborough and Pasco to develop a transportation improvement policy. The proposal includes public transit, electric bus lines, a regional subway system and inner-city trolley systems.

Housing: Hughes says a countywide plan for affordable housing should begin with listening to residents struggling to make ends meet. He proposes investing in programs to convert old mobile home parks into modern, affordable condominium parks with green spaces.

Those parks would be walkable and bikeable to nearby retail, Hughes says.