Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is backing St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch for re-election, praising Welch’s integrity, experience and ability to bring people together.

“Mayor Ken Welch is a principled, experienced leader who has served St. Petersburg with integrity and a clear commitment to its residents,” Demings said. “As a fellow mayor, I have seen his dedication to public service and his ability to bring people together. I am proud to endorse Mayor Welch for re-election and support his continued leadership.”

The endorsement continues a recent push by Welch to showcase support from elected officials beyond Pinellas County as the Aug. 18 Election Day draws near.

Earlier this month, former Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chair Kionne McGhee, Palm Beach County Commissioner Bobby Powell Jr. and Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox endorsed Welch. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is also supporting his re-election.

Demings adds another major-city ally along the Interstate 4 corridor. Welch highlighted that connection, and said Demings is a respected public servant, trusted friend, a fellow Mayor and a fraternity brother.

“The I-4 corridor is stronger when mayors work together, share ideas and advocate for the people and communities we serve. For the past five years, I have worked every day to bring people together and move St. Petersburg forward. With the support of Mayor Demings and residents across our city, we will continue building a safer, more affordable and more resilient St. Petersburg where every neighborhood has the opportunity to thrive,” Welch said.

The endorsement lands less than a week before the Aug. 18 election, with early voting already underway.

Welch is seeking a second term in a six-candidate field where former Gov. Charlie Crist has led recent polling and holds a significant financial advantage. As of July 31, Crist had about $718,000 available across his campaign and political committee, compared with about $81,000 available for Welch’s operation. A recent St. Pete Polls survey put Crist above 34%, followed by Welch at 19% and City Council Member Brandi Gabbard at 15%.

Welch has campaigned on his record at City Hall, emphasizing housing affordability, public safety, infrastructure and resilience. His other supporters include Rep. Michele Rayner, Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers, former Sen. Arthenia Joyner, labor groups and first responder organizations.

The field also includes businessman Kevin Batdorf, former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large and community advocate Maria Scruggs. 

A candidate who receives more than 50% on Aug. 18 will win outright. Otherwise, the top two finishers advance to the Nov. 3 General Election.

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Ed. note: Michelle Todd Schorsch is the Chair of St. Pete Shines, a political committee backing Crist for St. Petersburg Mayor. Todd Schorsch is married to Peter Schorsch, the publisher of Florida Politics.