A coalition of St. Petersburg faith leaders is backing Mayor Ken Welch for re-election, citing his record of inclusive leadership, neighborhood investment, public safety improvements and commitment to serving all residents.
The group is scheduled to gather on Monday afternoon at Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church to announce their support for Welch.
The coalition includes Reverend J.C. Pritchett, Reverend Louis Murphy, Reverend Clarence Williams, Reverend Katurah Jenkins-Hall, Reverend Sam Picard, Reverend Princess Hemingway, Apostle Clarice Pennington, Elder Ricardo Welch, Imam Askia Muhammad, Reverend John Evans, Elder Samuel Davis, Imam Abdul Ali, Pastor Elizabeth Siplin, and Abdul-Salaam Hameed.
Welch officially qualified for re-election late last month. He faces former Gov. Charlie Crist, City Council Member Brandi Gabbard, former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf, Maria Scruggs and Paul Congemi.
The Mayor’s campaign focuses on many of the same pillars that have guided his term in office, including an emphasis on public safety, infrastructure and resilience, affordable housing, storm recovery, economic opportunity and city services.
The endorsements add to backing from many local elected officials, unions and community figures already supporting Welch’s campaign. Those include Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters, the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, former Sen. Arthenia Joyner, Rep. Michele Rayner, City Council members Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Copley Gerdes, former City Council Member Charlie Gerdes, former Pinellas Commissioner Pat Gerard, Pinellas Commissioner Rene Flowers, Gulfport City Council Member Jennifer Webb and former Sen. Susan Latvala.
The election is scheduled for August. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a November runoff.