Crist wins big over Welch, but the mayor’s race will go to a runoff

The battle for St. Peterburg mayor will be a runoff between incumbent Ken Welch and former governor and congressman Charlie Crist, who scored a significant victory in Tuesday’s primary.

Crist claimed 35% of the vote to Welch’s 20.5% to head the nonpartisan race of six candidates. Since neither got more than 50%, both will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

Former city Fire Chief Jim Large (18%) and city council member Brandi Gabbard (17%) were close behind Welch. Maria Lynne Scruggs, a former president of the city’s NAACP branch, earned 5% and former Shore Acres Civic Association president Kevin Batdorf had 3%.

Crist, 70, thanked volunteers and supporters in a cramped Cassis restaurant on downtown’s Beach Drive during a short victory speech after the polls closed.

“I’m full of gratitude and no attitude,” he said. “You know, we got a 15-point lead. That’s incredible. Over an incumbent. You know, it’s just, it’s very humbling, and we have a long way to go, about 70 days to Nov. 3.”

Crist then returned to campaign messaging.

“We’ve got to make St. Pete affordable. We’ve got to do the things that we need to do to change and get it better, get us back on track. We’re gonna make that happen, with your help,” he said.

During a gathering at the St. Petersburg Fire Union Hall, Welch vowed to keep his job for another four years, noting that “the playoffs are over and we’re going to the championship game.”

“Now it’s down to one opponent and a clear choice on the path we take as a city. I’m looking forward to finally a substantive debate on what matters our vision, our plans and our priorities, not political sound bites and vague promises on affordability,” Welch said.

Crist raised more than $2 million to less than $500,000 for Welch.

Mayor Ken Welch opened his Primary Election Day with an appearance at the launch of Greencycle, a new food waste composting initiative. Photo: Facebook.

Welch, who said, “You can’t buy credibility,” attacked Crist for accepting money from what he called “out-of-state special interests.”

“Charlie Crist has spent decades running for office. I’ve spent the last five years doing the job of mayor of my hometown,” Welch said. “There is a choice in this runoff whether we keep St. Petersburg moving forward with experienced steady leadership that is accountable to our residents or turn our city over to out-of-town special interest money.”

In response, Crist said he wished Welch wasn’t “so negative.”

“He ought to feel good about where he was tonight and ought to be positive,” Crist said. “We need more positivity in our city and in our country, and I’m not going to be negative on him tonight because our country and our city deserve better. And I’m better than that and he should be too.”

Crist’s criticism of Welch has included the mayor’s handling of the hurricane recovery, the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situation, Historic Gas Plant District renovation and the creation of affordable housing.

Welch, 62, has defended his record and has come down on what he calls a lack of specifics from Crist on how to address the city’s issues.

“Charlie Crist has not laid out any plans, no vision, whether it’s the Gas Plant, whether it’s resilience, affordability,” Welch said. “The people of St. Pete need to know what his plan is, and I hope he comes to some debates.”

Crist, who has participated in three debates with all six candidates, has proposed a property tax cut and working out a way to keep the Rays at Tropicana Field.

The winner will be sworn in Jan. 7.

Steve Newborn in a reporter with WUSF, the bay area’s NPR affiliate.