Biography
Melissa Rutland is the Republican candidate for Florida House of Representatives District 60 in the November 3, 2026 general election; the Republican primary was canceled.[1][2] A commercial real estate broker, she is described in her Ballotpedia survey response as a fourth-generation St. Petersburg businesswoman.[2][3]
Melissa Rutland graduated from St. Petersburg High School and Flagler College, and Ballotpedia also lists The Wharton School under her education.[2] Her Ballotpedia survey response says she has spent nearly 30 years building projects and serving the Pinellas County community, served on the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg board, and was the first female chair of the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission.[3]
In the survey, Rutland listed lowering grocery bills by growing more food on Florida farms, modernizing stormwater infrastructure, and requiring insurance companies to return excess profits to policyholders as key campaign messages.[3] The survey also lists endorsements from Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association, State Senators Ed Hooper and Nick DiCeglie, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida Realtors PAC, among others.[3]
- 1.Florida House of Representatives elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Melissa Rutland - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Melissa Rutland - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Florida House District 60
Melissa Rutland is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Florida House District 60 as R. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.