Kriseman weighs congressional race
May 20, 2021 - St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman spoke out Thursday on speculation that he will run for the 13th District Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Charlie Crist. Kriseman, who is term limited and will leave the mayor's office in early 2022 after eight years in office, said he's been involved in public service for 21 years. "I want it to be meaningful, where I feel I can make a real difference," he said during an impromptu media gathering. "If I feel ultimately in consultation with my family that we think that I can make a difference and change lives in a positive way, then that may be what's right for me ... If I get in, I get in to win." Kriseman said he knows both of the Democratic candidates who already have jumped into the congressional race, Rep. Ben Diamond and Eric Lynn, a former national security advisor to President Barack Obama. Crist announced he would run for governor earlier this month.