Charlie Crist is consolidating support from St. Petersburg’s former Mayors as the race turns toward November.
Former Mayors Bill Foster and Bob Ulrich are backing Crist, joining Rick Baker in support of the former Governor’s campaign.
Ulrich, who served as Mayor from 1987 to 1991, highlighted Crist’s experience in state government and his return to his hometown as reason for his support.
Ulrich was dubbed “Mr. Sun” in 1998 for his contributions to downtown St. Petersburg’s redevelopment and revitalization, as well as his role in helping bring Major League Baseball to the city.
“We have a unique opportunity as a city. We have someone who has served at the highest levels of state government, and now he has come home, and he has come home with fervor. He has what I call a fire in the belly, and that fire is going to serve the residents of St. Pete very well,” Ulrich said.
Foster, who served as Mayor from 2010 to 2014, made a more nuts-and-bolts case for Crist. He highlighted city finances, government efficiency and a desire to keep Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg as reasons for his support.
Foster dealt directly with the stadium issue during his own tenure, participating in negotiations with the Rays over the team’s future. His administration also worked on Pinellas Safe Harbor and efforts to rebuild the St. Pete Pier, while the city welcomed the Chihuly Collection and the Dalí Museum underwent a $36 million renovation.
He also argued Crist’s experience as Attorney General and Governor would translate to running City Hall.
“I’m excited to endorse Charlie Crist, my Governor, my friend. He was a terrific Attorney General. He was a terrific Governor, and as I always say, if you can run the fourth largest state in the union, you can certainly take care of the day-to-day operations of the City government,” Foster said.
“The City of St. Petersburg will be in good hands. The messaging is clear. It’s budget. It’s efficiency. It’s working smarter, not harder. And it’s keeping the Rays in St. Pete. I’ve reviewed his plans and his messaging, and I think it resonates with the people of the City. I’m excited, and I will entrust the next four years of an incredible City government to this man, my friend, Gov. Charlie Crist.”
Crist said he was a constituent during both Ulrich’s and Foster’s administrations and credited them with helping shape St. Petersburg.
“I saw first hand how their dogged commitment to a better St. Petersburg helped shape our city’s renaissance. I am beyond grateful and extremely humbled that they have chosen to support my vision for a prosperous St. Petersburg. Mayors need coalitions, and ours is growing,” Crist said.
The endorsements add to Crist’s support following the Primary. Kevin Batdorf, one of four candidates eliminated in Tuesday’s election, endorsed Crist the following day.
Crist has also earned endorsements from a mix of federal, state and local officials, including U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel and Cheri Bustos, state Sen. Darryl Rouson, state Rep. Allison Tant and St. Petersburg City Council Member Gina Driscoll.
His supporters also include former Florida Supreme Court Justices James Perry and Peggy Quince, former Senate President John McKay, former House Democratic Leader and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, former state Rep. Ben Diamond and former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard.
Crist has also picked up support from business, faith and community leaders, including Scott Wagman, Gwen Reese and Basha Jordan Jr., among others.
Crist will look to build on that coalition in November, when he faces incumbent Mayor Ken Welch after finishing first in Tuesday’s Primary.
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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.