St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will kick off his re-election campaign next week with a fundraiser that comes at a pivotal moment for the incumbent, as political and financial headwinds converge early in the 2026 mayoral race.
Welch’s campaign has announced a kickoff event for Feb. 18 at the St. Pete Athletic Club, where supporters are being asked to contribute between $25 and $1,000 to his re-election effort. The event marks Welch’s first major public campaign move since officially filing to seek a second term on Feb. 2.
Welch, elected in 2021 as the city’s first Black Mayor, enters the 2026 contest emphasizing his record on affordable housing, infrastructure investment, public safety and hurricane recovery. His campaign argues that steady leadership has positioned the city to move forward.
But the kickoff also comes amid sustained political headwinds. Welch’s campaign kickoff material reveals he has moved on from the Pelican Political Action Committee after the committee’s former registered agent, Yolanda Brown, allegedly stole $207,500 in campaign funds. The committee terminated its relationship with the agent and said it is working with law enforcement to determine next steps.
Welch has not been accused of wrongdoing, and under Florida law candidates are prohibited from coordinating directly with independent political committees. Still, the loss of funds left the committee with limited cash on hand. The new St. Petersburg Progress PAC is the third such committee erected to support Welch, even though he is just launching his second mayoral campaign.
It’s worth noting that even the new PC is already experiencing a minor hiccup, since a link to make donations from its webpage is currently broken — and it’s unclear whether anyone (else) has noticed.
“We are in the process of transitioning to a new PAC to ensure there are absolutely no distractions from the important work ahead,” PC Chair Adrienne Bogen said. “This move is about transparency, accountability, and maintaining the highest ethical standards. The Mayor remains fully focused on delivering results for the people of St. Petersburg, and this adjustment allows the campaign to continue moving forward with clarity and integrity.”
Welch is also navigating political headwinds with regard to the future of the Historic Gas Plant District, a redevelopment effort deeply tied to Welch’s personal history and governing philosophy. The District — once a thriving Black neighborhood displaced decades ago to make way for Tropicana Field — has become a defining issue in the mayoral race after a redevelopment agreement involving the Tampa Bay Rays unraveled last year.
That fallout has fueled growing tension between the Mayor’s Office and City Council. Earlier this month, Council members voted 6 to 2 in favor of a resolution sponsored by Council member Brandi Gabbard urging Welch to pause negotiations and engage a third-party planning process before advancing redevelopment talks.
Gabbard, who has announced her intention to run for Mayor against Welch, framed the vote as a call for greater deliberation and transparency. Welch pushed back, arguing the city should build on years of planning and community engagement rather than reset the process.
While the Council resolution is not legally binding, the vote handed Gabbard a visible political win and reinforced the Gas Plant District’s role as a major issue headed into the 2026 election.
Qualifying is still months away and a crowded field is already taking shape. In addition to Welch and Gabbard, perennial candidates Paul Congemi and Maria Scruggs have filed to run. Former Gov. Charlie Crist has publicly acknowledged he is weighing a bid, and a political committee expected to support his potential campaign has already reported strong early fundraising. Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President Kevin Batdorf also threw his name into the fold this week, positioning himself as an alternative local voice not already tied to City Hall.
The Feb. 18 kickoff will serve as an early test of Welch’s ability to stabilize his political footing and reassure donors and supporters heading into the Summer, with the campaign asking supporters to contribute between $25 and $1,000 to attend. Success at the kickoff could prove pivotal if Welch hopes to build momentum following recent financial setbacks.