about
kristina kovarik

Pinellas Born, Pinellas Ready 

Kristina Kovarik is a longtime public servant, small business owner, and community advocate who brings decades of leadership experience to her candidacy for Florida State Representative, District 57. Born and raised in Dunedin, Florida, she is a graduate of Dunedin High School and St. Petersburg College, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree. She relocated to Tarpon Springs in May 2021 and remains deeply connected to the communities of Pinellas County. 

Kristina has enjoyed a more than 40‑year career in financial services, including banking and mortgage lending. Since 2015, she has owned and operated a small business in Dunedin, Florida, and currently works as a contractor for MortgageGuidelines.com. Her professional background reflects a strong understanding of small business challenges and financial accountability. 

Her commitment to public service spans over two decades. Kristina served four terms as Mayor of the Village of Gurnee, Illinois, from 2005 to 2021, after previously serving two terms as a Village Trustee. During her tenure, she also represented her community on several regional bodies, including the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. 

Kristina’s leadership and service have been widely recognized. She is a recipient of the Illinois Woman of Achievement award, was inducted into the Lake County Civil Rights Hall of Fame and received the Lake County Housing Authority Distinguished Leadership Award. In 2017, she was honored as the Gurnee Days Honoree. 

In addition to her elected service, Kristina has a long history of civic involvement and volunteerism. She has served as an election judge, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and is currently active with the League of Women Voters of North Pinellas. 

Kristina has been married to her husband, Gerald Kovarik, for 34 years and is the proud mother of four adult children and grandmother of five. Public service runs deep in her family, with both her father and brother having devoted their careers to municipal service.