News Summary
St. Petersburg City Council member Brandi Gabbard has announced her candidacy for mayor, aiming to challenge incumbent Ken Welch. Emphasizing a different governance vision, Gabbard’s campaign focuses on local issues like affordable flood insurance. Despite previously endorsing Welch, she seeks to address public concerns regarding leadership and state interference with city politics. With a low approval rating for Welch, the upcoming election is shaping into a competitive race, highlighting the need for change in municipal management.
St. Petersburg City Council member Brandi Gabbard has officially announced her candidacy for the office of Mayor, seeking to challenge the incumbent Mayor Ken Welch in the upcoming election. Gabbard, who has served on the Council since 2017, emphasized her strong commitment to the campaign, indicating her intention to provide a different vision and approach to governance than the current mayor.
While Gabbard’s decision to run is partly motivated by a perceived need for change in leadership, it is noteworthy that she previously endorsed Welch during his initial mayoral campaign. Nonetheless, she has articulated a “clear difference in approach to governing” between herself and Welch, suggesting a significant shift in how the city may be managed if she prevails.
A recent poll framed Gabbard as a “proven leader” and highlighted her dedication to securing affordable flood insurance for St. Petersburg residents. Despite initially denying any involvement with the poll, she later acknowledged that the data supports her position to stand firm against the Republican-controlled Legislature’s attempts to undermine local governance. Such efforts include proposals to remove street murals and audits of city finances aimed at reducing municipal property taxes.
Neither Gabbard nor Welch has officially filed the necessary paperwork to run for the mayoral position yet. However, Welch has initiated his campaign and fundraising efforts, reportedly accumulating over $200,000. Welch made history as the first Black Mayor of St. Petersburg and has started preparing for the upcoming race amidst mounting scrutiny regarding his approval ratings.
Polling data has recently shown that Welch’s approval rating is lower than 38%, with disapproval ratings exceeding 34%, placing him within the margin of error for public opinion. His incumbency may be at risk due to various criticisms leveled against him during his tenure, including his handling of a deal breakdown with the Tampa Bay Rays and concerns about his availability at City Hall. Additionally, there has been backlash over delays related to debris collection following hurricanes.
Currently, the only candidate to have officially filed to run for Mayor in 2026 is Maria Scruggs, although her fundraising efforts lag behind Welch’s. Former state Representative Ben Diamond also considered entering the race but has opted out. Traditionally, incumbent mayors in St. Petersburg face opposition, especially from rival parties, despite the nonpartisan nature of the election.
Brandi Gabbard identifies as a registered Democrat and aims to present a moderate alternative for conservative-minded voters who may be dissatisfied with Welch’s administration. As a licensed realtor since 2005 and named Realtor of the Year in 2015, Gabbard brings a wealth of experience to the table, an asset she hopes will resonate with constituents.
With the election approaching, the political landscape in St. Petersburg remains actively charged, reflecting public sentiment regarding municipal leadership and policies. As Gabbard steps forward, she aims to channel community concerns around local governance, particularly amid challenges posed by unfavorable state interventions affecting city autonomy.
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Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: Brandi Gabbard Commits to Challenge Ken Welch for Mayor
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- Florida Politics: St. Pete Council Scrutinizes $1.18 Billion Spending Plan
- Google Search: St. Petersburg Florida politics
- Florida Politics: Maria Scruggs Hopes to Offer an Alternative to Ken Welch
- Google News: Maria Scruggs
- Business Observer: Regional Council Elects New Board Officers for 2023
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
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.
