Nan Bennett Takes Dunedin Commission Seat With 56% of Vote
The former utilities director defeated Mark Ossian in a race to fill a vacancy created by term limits.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
Nan Bennett has taken control of a Dunedin City Commission seat.
The former utilities director won the District 4 election on Nov. 3, securing 9,436 votes. Her opponent, Mark Ossian, received 7,298 votes. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections reported that Bennett captured 56% of the total 16,734 ballots cast.
Bennett brings extensive experience to the role. She previously served Dunedin for eight years in three separate stints as Public Works engineer, Utilities Operations manager, and director of Utilities and Engineering. Before joining Dunedin, she worked for Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Clearwater, and Pinellas County. She holds a master’s degree in engineering and environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida.
Born and raised in Pinellas County, Bennett moved to Dunedin in 1998. She described the city as home, not just a job. At an Oct. 1 forum, she told voters she was not running to fix the city. She said, "Dunedin is a great place to live, work and visit," adding that her goal is to protect the quality of life despite uncertain fiscal challenges.
Her campaign focused on affordability and efficient spending. Bennett argued that residents need a government that uses taxpayer dollars wisely. She emphasized environmental stewardship as a central part of city policy and budget discussions. She also advocated for smart growth that respects neighborhood character.
Bennett received the endorsement of the Dunedin Firefighters’ Association, IAFF Local 2327. She currently volunteers with the Audubon EagleWatch program, where she monitors bald eagle nests across Pinellas County. The seat became open because incumbent Jeff Gow reached term limits.
