News Summary
Former state Representative Ben Diamond has announced he will not seek the position of Mayor of St. Petersburg in the upcoming election cycle. After gathering community feedback and considering a campaign against current Mayor Ken Welch, Diamond decided to prioritize family commitments over a return to public office. Although he won’t run, he aims to remain involved in local initiatives to support community development. Currently, only Maria Scruggs has announced her candidacy against Welch, who has yet to file for re-election.
St. Petersburg – Former state Representative Ben Diamond announced on Thursday evening that he will not pursue a run for Mayor of St. Petersburg in the upcoming election cycle. This decision comes after a period of consideration about challenging the current Mayor, Ken Welch, who has held the position since 2021.
Diamond spent the summer gathering community feedback and exploring potential campaign strategies. He received encouragement from local leaders, friends, and residents who urged him to consider a bid for the mayor’s office again, following his previous term in the Florida House from 2016 to 2022. However, after reflecting on family commitments, Diamond concluded that the timing is not right for him to return to public office.
Family considerations played a significant role in his decision. Diamond emphasized that his children are at an age where they value spending time with him, making it challenging to dedicate the necessary effort and focus to a campaign. He acknowledged that running for public office demands full commitment, which he cannot fulfill at this stage of his life.
Although Diamond has decided against a mayoral run, he remains optimistic about finding alternative avenues to serve St. Petersburg in the future. He intends to stay engaged with community initiatives and promote collaboration among residents to drive improvements in the city.
In June, prior to announcing his decision, Diamond distributed a survey to gauge voter opinions and test messaging strategies against incumbent Mayor Welch. This survey aimed to understand public perceptions regarding Welch’s leadership and highlighted his background as the first African American Mayor of the city. It also assessed criticisms of Welch’s performance during recent hurricanes, focusing on his responsiveness to the community’s needs and the management of storm debris.
Diamond’s potential candidacy raised concerns within the Democratic Party regarding an intraparty conflict, as he would run as a White candidate against the incumbent Mayor. The survey positively portrayed Diamond, accentuating his roots in Pinellas County and his history of bipartisan cooperation as a state representative. It also showcased Welch’s accomplishments, including initiatives to promote affordable housing and manage storm recovery efforts.
As of now, Maria Scruggs is the only candidate who has formally announced her challenge to Mayor Welch for the upcoming race. Mayor Welch has not yet filed for re-election but has indicated his intention to continue serving in his role.
In addition to his previous campaign for mayor, Diamond suspended a congressional run due to changes in district boundaries during the redistricting process. Despite stepping back from the mayoral race, he plans to remain actively involved in civic matters and contribute to the community through various initiatives.
The St. Petersburg mayoral race is expected to gain momentum as the election date approaches, and Diamond’s decision not to enter the contest leaves open opportunities for other candidates to emerge. His focus on community engagement and support for local leadership reflects a commitment to the continued development of St. Petersburg.
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Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: Ben Diamond Will Not Run for St. Pete Mayor
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- St. Pete Catalyst: Welch Surprised at Ex-Lawmaker’s Mayoral Candidacy Poll
- Google Search: Ben Diamond Mayoral Race
- Florida Politics: Diamond’s Message Tests Possible Run Against Ken Welch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mayor of St. Petersburg
- St. Pete Catalyst: St. Pete Mayor’s PAC Donations Soar Following Opposition Survey
- Google News: St. Petersburg Mayoral Race
- Florida Phoenix: Meet the Democrats Who Want to Oust Anna Paulina Luna
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
