St. Petersburg, FLVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

St. Petersburg Mayor · Nov 3, 2026

Ken Welch

Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)

6 candidates · 2 seats6 sourced positions

Ken Welch, the incumbent, is running for mayor of St. Petersburg in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Charlie Crist.

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Voter registration deadline · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

Incumbent mayor of St. Petersburg; served 20 years on the Pinellas County Commission before becoming mayor.

Campaign website
kenwelch.com

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In the Aug. 18 primary, Charlie Crist received 35% and Ken Welch 20.5% in a six-candidate mayoral field; since neither topped 50%, both advanced to Nov. 3. St. Pete Catalyst · Aug 19, 2026

Charlie Crist and Ken Welch are scheduled to meet in a televised debate hosted by Bay News 9 on Oct. 13. Axios Tampa Bay · Sep 28, 2026

Where Ken Welch stands: positions on the record

Property taxes1 sourced position

  • Opposes Charlie Crist's proposal to cut the city tax rate by 0.40 mills, saying property taxes fund police, fire, storm protection and other services.

    “Cities cannot run on slogans and wishful thinking”

    Own statementSt. Pete Catalyst

Gas Plant site2 sourced positions

  • Opposes further delay on redeveloping the Historic Gas Plant District, saying the city has already planned enough.

    “We’ve planned and planned and planned to death.”

    Forum answerSt. Pete Catalyst

  • As mayor, selected The Burg Bid team for most of the Gas Plant site and the Pinellas County Housing Authority for an 80-unit senior housing parcel (July 2026).

    Own statementCity of St. Petersburg · Jul 2, 2026

Electric utility1 sourced position

  • as reported by Axios; not a direct quote

    Said he is awaiting the results of the city-commissioned study on a city-owned electric utility.

    Forum answerAxios Tampa Bay · Sep 28, 2026

Flood bond1 sourced position

  • Proposed asking voters to approve a bond of about $600 million for sewer, stormwater and neighborhood infrastructure projects.

    “The proposed SPAR bond funding will allow us to move forward more rapidly on the infrastructure improvements we need to handle the impacts of sea level rise, extreme weather and flooding”

    Own statementFlorida Politics

Housing1 sourced position

  • Says the city delivered more than 850 affordable and workforce housing units under his leadership, including 281 new affordable units in 2024.

    Own statementKen Welch for Mayor

Also running for Mayor

All 6 St. Petersburg candidates →

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