Former Florida Governor and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist secured a political comeback late Tuesday, defeating incumbent Ken Welch to win the mayoral race in St. Petersburg, Florida, with 62% of the vote.
The decisive victory brings the 70-year-old politician back to local office in his lifelong hometown, following an extensive political career that spanned across both major political parties. Crist outpaced Welch, who served as the city’s first Black mayor and finished the general election with 38% of the vote.
Crist and Welch Advance Past Six-Person Primary
The mayoral contest required a runoff after an August primary where neither candidate crossed the 50% threshold. Crist led that initial six-person field with 35% of the vote, while Welch secured 20% to claim the second spot on the general election ballot.
Following the primary, Crist earned endorsements from several former mayoral opponents. Maria Scruggs and Kevin Batdorf both threw their support behind his campaign, pointing to a need for a shift in the local political climate. Scruggs noted at the victory gathering that she faced personal attacks on her integrity during the campaign, emphasizing that the city needed leadership focused on humility and kindness.
Addressing supporters on election night, Crist celebrated a coalition that crossed traditional partisan lines. He remarked that the room reflected a mix of Black, white, Republican, Democratic, and independent voters.
“And we’ll do what’s right for the city,” Crist told the crowd, according to WMNF. “And we’ll do it with kindness and decency and mutual respect. And that’s what we need in our politics today. Because it’s gotten too toxic.”
Platform Promises: Taxes, Infrastructure, and City Resources
Throughout the campaign, Crist centered his platform on economic affordability, city infrastructure, and the future of the Tropicana Field property. He made specific financial commitments to residents regarding municipal costs.
“I’m going to reduce property taxes for St. Petersburg citizens by $15 million a year. Every year,” Crist said on election night, as reported by WMNF. “That’s how we start making it more affordable.”
Crist also targeted utility management, pledging to tackle high water bills after recounting his own experience with expensive bills while living in the Shore Acres neighborhood. Supporters like Scott Thomag argued that Crist’s established connections with decision-makers would give the city direct access to resources and help move municipal initiatives forward.
| Candidate | General Election Vote Share | Primary Election Standing |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Crist | 62% | 1st (35%) |
| Ken Welch | 38% | 2nd (20%) |
A Long Career of Political Reinvention
Crist’s return to city leadership marks another chapter in a decades-long career in public service. Aside from his tenure living in Tallahassee as Florida’s Republican governor from 2007 to 2011, Crist has maintained residency in St. Petersburg since he was three years old.
Over the decades, his ballot path has included service as a state senator, education commissioner, and attorney general. After his term as governor, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent before switching his affiliation to the Democratic Party. As a Democrat, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and later launched two bids for governor, culminating in a loss against Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022.
Critics throughout his career have accused him of political opportunism due to his party switches.
