Thrive
‘Not concerned’: Welch breaks silence on campaign turmoil
“You can’t let that deter you from doing the job.”
Mayor Ken Welch’s reelection campaign has recently taken two significant hits: His warchest was allegedly robbed of over $200,000, and a formidable opponent in the St. Petersburg race reported a fundraising windfall.
Welch, who has remained mum on the recent setbacks, insists he is not down for the count. He expressed confidence in his ability to overcome challenges and pride in his community-based support.
“We’ve been here,” Welch told the Catalyst. “We’ve been in the battle, and our opponent has not.”
The incumbent was referring to former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is mulling a mayoral campaign in his hometown. A political committee created to gauge support for his potential run, St. Pete Shines, raised $338,687 between Nov. 12 and Dec. 31, according to state records.
St. Pete Shines also transferred $336,458 from Friends of Charlie Crist, a disbanded political action committee (PAC) established in 2022 to support his last gubernatorial bid. The challenger now has $712,283 on hand, nearly 15 times the amount remaining in Welch’s account.
Welch’s political committee, The Pelican, raised $282,800 last year. However, former treasurer Yolanda Brown stands accused of stealing $207,500.
Chairperson Adrienne Bogen said in a prepared statement that the committee “assumed the funds would be returned.” The money is still missing, and The Pelican is “in the process of notifying the appropriate state and federal authorities.”
When asked if he was concerned about the situation’s campaign impacts, Welch said, “Not at all.”
“I’ve been in family businesses that have been the victims of theft, and it’s a horrible feeling,” he added. “Anyone who has been through that understands it. But you can’t let that deter you from doing the job.”
Welch said his team “did exactly what they should have done the minute they saw the disparity – they reported it.” They also uncovered “what looks like a lot of bad activity” by Brown.
In 2024, Brown, working under the name Yolanda Cheers, paid $330,000 to settle a plea deal for felony grand theft and embezzlement charges in Alameda County, California. Her alleged misappropriations occurred in 2016; she was charged three years later.
Treasurers typically oversee campaign bank accounts, with candidates and other staff often relying on subsequent reports for financial information. A spokesperson for The Pelican said Brown was “brought on by someone no longer involved in the race,” and her onboarding process is “unknown at this time.”
Welch said Brown’s reports “always lined up.” He also noted that she had an extensive client list of elected officials. “I think that’s how she came to us – as a well-known entity who has done this type of work across the state.”
“People understand the real world,” Welch said. “They understand – if they understand political committees – that I don’t have oversight over that. So, no, I’m not concerned about that. The folks who contributed believed in the purpose of that PAC and moving our city forward.”
Donors who have discussed the issue with Welch are also “not concerned,” he said. The mayor believes he and his administration have “done well” in managing a $1.2 billion budget, 3,700 employees, exponential growth, an affordable housing crisis and the impacts from multiple hurricanes.
“We know what we’re doing,” Welch continued. “And I think our folks have faith in us moving forward.”
Crist is also a former attorney general and congressional representative. Welch plans to lean on 25 years of experience in local government, which is “closest to the people.”
Welch noted that he overcame a seemingly insurmountable fundraising deficit during his mayoral campaign. “But more important than that, we’ve been here doing the work for five years,” he said.
“You can’t buy that.”
Crist will not put a limit on fundraising efforts in Florida’s most expensive television advertising market. Welch said he will not try to match “dollars for dollars from Washington PACs and politicians from other states and Tallahassee.”
He plans to raise just enough money to “get our message out.” Welch said residents have already “seen us do the job here,” and pledged not to drop out of the race. “We want to finish the job.”
His supporters “work, live and generate jobs and progress right here in our city,” Welch said. State records show that 43 of 65 donor addresses, 66%, are from St. Petersburg or Pinellas County.
“It’s not outsiders and outside influence,” Welch said. “We’re proud of that. I’m proud of our principles, and we’ll continue to reflect that.”
Shirley Smith-Hayes
January 22, 2026at7:29 pm
Oh my, this has been an interesting read. My concern is Mayor Welch’s lack of concern. I thought they ‘vet’ these folk especially money handlers. This woman was obviously Not vetted. For me, this is a mess.
Alan DeLisle
January 16, 2026at7:48 am
It is so obvious who the Catalyst supports. I thought it was the influence of the Chamber because of its blinded support of the Ray’s deal but it looks worse than that. You can bet that any negative news about Welch is met by the Catalyst with a positive spin featuring Welch himself saying he is never responsible. Covering for terrible leadership smacks of behind the scene politics.
The Catalyst has been such a positive for St Pete. For that reason, they should reconsider this obvious behavior.
Steven Sullivan
January 15, 2026at6:23 pm
Mike Kosempa of course campaign funds are not spent on roads or safety; your bias is showing exposed by making nonsensical statements. And, I’m pretty sure you voted for the felon in the Whitehouse and the crew of incompetent men and women there. Talk about the kettle calling someone black
Mike Kosempa
January 15, 2026at11:34 pm
Steve you ever see donald trump and ken welch in the same room at the same time? For all we know theyre the same person. Theyre both nepo babies. They both suck at their jobs. Eveything they both touch turns to shit. Theyre both racist. Theyre both populists existing to serve their special interest groups at the majoritys direct expense. Tomato tomato.
And sufferers (ie you) of a laundry list of logical fallacies are lining up to gift them more powers and extended mandates. Great job everyone. Lets see what we can destroy tomorrow.
Mike Kosempa
January 15, 2026at11:51 pm
Seriously. If you personally arent attending their fundaraisers and still somehow think your interests are being represented then i actually feel bad for you. Anyone supporting either of them is suffering from narcissistic delusions and should seek professional medical care.
Mike Kosempa
January 15, 2026at4:50 pm
This guy is a walking punchline. Except I don’t hear anyone laughing. Or smiling. Or congratulating him. On anything.
Let me help the authorities with their investigation. The stolen money wasn’t spent on roads or public safety.
Please let us know who the “donors” are (spoiler alert they don’t exist). And what the “exponential growth” is referring to. Because that’s complete BS.
Welch is a total embarrassment. The biased coverage of him is a total embarrassment. HES SUPPOSED TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT. HE HIRED FELONS. HELLO! HEELLLOOOO!