ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WWSB) – Former governor and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is running for office again, this time for mayor of his hometown St. Petersburg.
He joins a crowded race of six others for the seat, current held by Democrat Ken Welch.
In a campaign video, Crist, 70, touts his experience as a former governor, education commissioner and attorney general. He criticizes the city’s high cost of living and struggles after recent hurricanes.
“As Mayor, I’ll show up, make city government work, put people first, and hold costs down so we can lift this city up,” he says.
In 1992, Crist won a seat in the Florida Senate. Eight years later, he became Florida’s commissioner of education. He was elected Florida’s attorney general under Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002.
In 2006, Crist was elected governor. Following that term, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an Independent, defeated by now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He ran unsuccessfully for governor as a Democrat in 2014.
In 2016, Crist was elected to the U.S. House, representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District covering the St. Petersburg–Clearwater area.
He resigned in 2022 to run again for governor and was defeated by Ron DeSantis.
According to a new poll by Florida Politics, Crist holds an early edge in the field for mayor that includes incumbent Welch.
The survey found 23% of residents polled would vote for Crist if the election were held today, followed by 19% for Welch.
Other candidates in the poll included City Council member Brandi Gabbard at 6%; Maria Scruggs at 5%. Former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large polled at 4%. Former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President Kevin Batdorf got 2%.
The primary election is set for Aug. 18, with the top two candidates advancing to the Nov. 3 general election if no one captures a simple majority.
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