Crist and Welch make final pitches in St. Petersburg mayoral race

St. Petersburg voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to select the next mayor of the city. The race pits incumbent Mayor Ken Welch against former Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Both candidates are registered Democrats, though the election itself is nonpartisan.

The two men spent Tuesday morning making their final appeals to the public. Welch focused on his tenure in office, citing his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricane seasons, and the loss of Tropicana Field. He argued that his administration has managed the city through its most difficult periods.

"My opponent doesn’t have plans. He hasn’t been here during the toughest times that we faced," Welch said. He also pointed to a $600 million general obligation bond on the ballot, which he said will help pay for stormwater infrastructure repairs.

Crist campaigned on affordability, promising to cut city taxes and government spending. His plan includes reducing city staffing and reforming pensions. He also pledged to bring the Tampa Bay Rays back to the 86-acre Gas Plant District and to return Moffitt Cancer Center to the city for cancer care.

Welch criticized Crist's tax proposals as unrealistic. He noted that the city faces billions of dollars in necessary stormwater repairs and infrastructure upgrades. Welch added that voters could face even higher budget pressures if they pass Amendment 3.

The candidates disagree on the redevelopment of the former Tropicana Field site. Welch has selected a developer to build a mixed-use business district with workforce and affordable housing. Crist wants to revisit that plan to prioritize bringing the baseball team back, which would mark a third change in direction for the project under consecutive administrations.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The latest St. Pete Polls survey of nearly 500 potential voters showed Crist leading by 21 percentage points. Crist also held a 15-point lead in the August primary.