Robert G. Blackmon is an American businessperson and politician. Elected in 2019, he served on the St. Petersburg, Florida City Council as the Councilperson for District 1. He was elected as the youngest member to serve since the city's incorporation in 1903. Blackmon ran for Mayor in the 2021 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election, finishing second to Ken Welch in the nine-person race. In 2022, Blackmon purchased the Harder Hall hotel, a property on the National Register of Historic Places. He announced plans to renovate and reopen the vacant hotel as a waterfront resort featuring dining, tennis, golf, a pool bar, and boat rentals. In addition, Blackmon owns the St. Petersburg Standard Oil Station, the oldest gas station in the city, and one of only 3 remaining examples of that prototype in the country, alongside the Bowling Green Standard Oil Company Filling Station and the Plant City Standard Oil Service Station. He expressed his interest in getting it designated to the National Register of Historic Places upon completion of renovation Early Life and Education Blackmon was born at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 2007, before attending Florida State University and graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2011. Political career City Council Blackmon was elected to the St. Petersburg City Council in 2019, defeating attorney John Hornbeck 64% to 36%. The large margin included winning every single one of the city's 92 precincts. Notably, Blackmon faced opposition from sitting Mayor Rick Kriseman. Blackmon was a major proponent of restoring and reopening the Science Center of Pinellas County. The city acquired the facility with plans to tear down the building. Blackmon brought together a coalition including State Representative Linda Chaney, State Senator Darryl Rouson, and Congressperson Charlie Crist to raise $5.5 million towards its restoration. 2021 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election On May 25, 2021, Blackmon filed to run for Mayor of St. Petersburg. The Tampa Bay Times noted Blackmon had "enough name recognition to vault to front-runner status, challenging the likes of Democrats Darden Rice, Blackmon’s colleague on City Council; former Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch; and former City Council member and state representative Wengay Newton.". In the August 24th primary, Blackmon finished second with 28.3% of the vote, advancing to the general election. "I feel more motivated than ever,” Blackmon said. “I had the shortest runway