Florida politics: Crist takes St. Pete mayorship in landslide
The former governor defeated incumbent Ken Welch with 62% of the vote, ending a five-year tenure marked by infrastructure challenges and a failed stadium deal.
By Lina Lewis ·
St. Petersburg voters turned to a familiar face Tuesday night, electing former Florida Governor Charlie Crist to the mayoral office in a decisive victory. The result marks a sharp shift from the 2021 election, when incumbent Ken Welch won his first term with 61% of the vote.
Polls closed at 7 p.m., and within 36 minutes, Welch conceded defeat. Final tallies from all precincts showed Crist securing 62% of the vote against Welch’s 38%. At 70 years old, Crist returns to the city where he has lived since age three, capping a political career that began in the area four decades ago.
Welch, 62, acknowledged the outcome in a speech at the renovated Manhattan Casino. He opened by quoting the Bible, stating that there is a season to every purpose under heaven. He described his five years in office as a blessing and accepted the voters' choice to select a different leader to move the city forward. His supporters, dressed in green and orange, gathered in a more subdued atmosphere compared to the winner’s celebration.
Crist hosted his election night party at The Birchwood ballroom in downtown St. Petersburg. The event drew 100 guests, including former Mayor Rick Baker, state Sen. Darryl Rouson, and city council members Lisset Hanewicz and Gina Driscoll. Michelle Todd Schorsch, chair of Crist’s political committee, introduced the candidate as mayor-elect around 7:30 p.m. Crist took the stage to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and delivered remarks that lasted approximately five minutes.
During his acceptance speech, Crist emphasized his deep ties to the city, referencing his childhood there and his nonpartisan campaign. He thanked Welch for running a decent race and serving the community. He also addressed his fiancée, Chelsea Grimes, who led a “We are St. Pete” chant. Crist stated that it was another great day for St. Petersburg as he concluded his remarks.
The race was heavily influenced by the fate of the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium project. Welch spent three years negotiating a replacement stadium deal, but the team withdrew following Hurricane Milton in 2024. Crist criticized Welch for allowing the Rays to leave town in 2029 and for dropping a deal to bring Moffitt Cancer Center to downtown. Crist, who raised over $2.75 million, a city record, promised to conduct a deep dive into his plans before his inauguration in January.
Welch’s path to the runoff was narrow. In the August primary, he finished second with 21% of the vote, while Crist led with 35%. Welch attributed his lower primary showing to a crowded field he described as five against one. He later pivoted to improving water and sewage systems, a priority supported by a property tax referendum currently on track to pass. Critics also cited his hurricane response and a retracted bonus program for city employees.
Crist, who previously lost a gubernatorial bid to Ron DeSantis in 2022, had been living in Minnesota with Grimes before the race. He established residency in St. Petersburg on the final day allowed to qualify. The former U.S. Representative cited friends’ dissatisfaction with Welch’s leadership as the reason he entered the race. He leaned on his executive experience and coalition-building skills to argue he could perform the job better.
