Mike Harting becomes third St. Pete Council member to back Charlie Crist for Mayor

St. Petersburg City Council Member Mike Harting is backing former Gov. Charlie Crist for Mayor, making him the third sitting Council member to support Crist as he challenges incumbent Mayor Ken Welch in November.

Harting, who represents District 3, joins Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz and Council Member Gina Driscoll in endorsing Crist. The founder and CEO of 3 Daughters Brewing, Harting has more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry.

“I have listened to Governor Crist’s vision for St. Petersburg and it’s clear he has the experience and ideas to carry our city forward and deliver results for my constituents and all the residents of our great city,” Harting said.

“With Governor Crist at the helm, I know we can tackle our city’s most pressing issues, from affordability, to effective and efficient hurricane response and to integrating technology to make government more efficient.”

In accepting the endorsement, Crist emphasized the importance of the relationship between the Mayor’s Office and City Council.

“I am honored to have earned support from Councilmember Harting, a dedicated public servant who has proven consistently that he has St. Petersburg residents’ best interest in mind,” Crist said. “Managing a city requires collaboration between the executive and legislative branches; I know how to navigate that and I look forward to working with Councilmember Harting as Mayor of St. Petersburg.”

That theme has surfaced before in Crist’s growing support from the Council.

Hanewicz, who endorsed Crist last week, said her five years on the Council had given her a close view of challenges ranging from infrastructure and flooding to housing, affordability and financial pressures, and highlighted “his willingness to work across differences.” 

Harting’s endorsement adds to a string of support Crist has built since the Aug. 18 Primary. Crist has earned backing from former Council Member Ed Montanari, former mayoral candidates Kevin Batdorf and Maria Scruggs, and retired St. Petersburg Police leaders Cedric Gordon and Al White. Crist also has support from former St. Petersburg Mayors Bob Ulrich, Rick Baker and Bill Foster.

The endorsements come as Crist continues to hold a substantial financial advantage over Welch entering the final stretch of the race.

The most recent campaign finance reports show Crist with nearly $400,000 on hand between his campaign and affiliated political committee, St. Pete Shines, while Welch has less than $25,000 remaining between his campaign and St. Petersburg Progress.

Crist raised more than $45,000 combined across the latest reports, including nearly $32,000 to his campaign and nearly $14,000 to St. Pete Shines. Welch raised less than $4,300 combined, including less than $3,800 to his campaign and $525 to his political committee.

Crist and Welch are scheduled to meet on the debate stage Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. for a televised Spectrum Bay News 9 debate before voters make their choice in 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.