Welch, Crist head to mayoral election runoff in November

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In what became a somewhat contentious final few weeks before Election Day, the St. Petersburg mayoral race turned tight. 

And as expected, no one candidate in the six-person race received 50% of the vote, leading to the top two candidates advancing to the general election. 

Incumbent Mayor Ken Welch and Charlie Crist will be heading to a runoff election in November.

Several issues remain at the forefront for the city, including the future development of the Tropicana Field site, business development, home affordability and the reinforcement of infrastructure ahead of future storms.