News Summary
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist is contemplating a run for mayor of St. Petersburg in the upcoming 2026 election. He expressed his attachment to the city and his desire to consult with family before making a final decision. The current Mayor, Ken Welch, is expected to seek re-election, setting the stage for a potential primary battle. Crist’s extensive political career includes multiple attempts for various offices, and his latest campaign was for governor in 2022. With evolving political dynamics in St. Petersburg, Crist’s entry could significantly impact the race.
St. Petersburg – Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist (D) is eyeing a potential run for mayor of St. Petersburg in the 2026 election. In a recent interview, Crist confirmed his interest in the mayoral position and expressed his desire to discuss his decision with family, including his fiancée, Chelsea Grimes. He conveyed a strong attachment to the city, stating that “home is where the heart is” and conveyed his reluctance to leave St. Petersburg.
The current mayor, Ken Welch, who assumed office in 2022, is expected to seek re-election. This means that if Crist enters the race, he will need to face Welch in a primary contest. Should Crist proceed with his campaign, it will represent his eighth attempt at securing public office over the last two decades. His most recent run was in the 2022 gubernatorial race, where he lost to incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis (R) by nearly 20 percentage points, garnering about 40% of the vote.
Charlie Crist’s political career spans several decades, starting in the early 1990s as a Republican senator for Florida. His service includes stints as Florida Attorney General and Governor. After switching to an Independent status, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Later, as a Democrat, he lost another gubernatorial race in 2014. More recently, Crist represented Florida’s 13th Congressional District from 2017 until his resignation in 2022 to campaign for governor once again.
Besides Crist, St. Petersburg City Council member Brandi Gabbard has also declared her candidacy for the mayoral position, marking her as the only other officially announced candidate so far. Maria Scruggs, a former president of the NAACP St. Pete branch, is the only candidate to have filed for the election as of now, although she has a background of unsuccessful campaigns.
Historically, Mayor Welch faced minimal opposition in previous elections. He was elected without challengers during his time as a Pinellas County Commissioner in both 2008 and 2016, which indicates a relatively unchallenged political landscape. However, shifting voter demographics in St. Petersburg are raising questions, particularly concerning a decline in active Democratic voters.
The 2026 mayoral election is set to take place during an even-numbered year, a timing which is likely to yield a higher voter turnout than previous elections. Speculation continues around potential Republican candidates entering the race, although no candidates from that party have emerged at this time. With the rising interest in the mayoral race and the changing political dynamics, it appears that incumbent Mayor Welch may encounter significant challenges compared to his earlier campaigns.
As the political landscape evolves, Crist’s consideration of the mayoral run adds an intriguing element to the upcoming election that could reshape local governance in St. Petersburg and engage a wider voter base amid shifting political tides.
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Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG 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.
