Miami Democratic Rep. Ashley Gantt is backing Ken Welch in his bid for another term as St. Petersburg Mayor, giving him fresh support after a string of high-profile endorsements for Charlie Crist. 

Gantt represents House District 109 in Miami-Dade County and is the Democratic nominee for Senate District 34 in the Nov. 3 General Election. She cited Welch’s focus on residents, neighborhoods and economic opportunity as reason for her endorsement.

“Ken Welch understands that leadership starts with showing up, listening and doing the work,” Gantt said. “He has kept the focus on the people who call St. Petersburg home and on the opportunities every family deserves. I’m proud to support his re-election because I know he will keep fighting for a city where progress reaches every neighborhood.” 

Welch thanked Gantt for the endorsement and highlighted a shared commitment to public service.

“Representative Gantt is a strong voice for the communities she serves, and I’m honored to have her support,” Welch said. “We’ve made progress by bringing people together and staying focused on what matters to residents. There is more work ahead, and I’m ready to keep moving St. Petersburg forward.” 

Gantt adds her name to a list of Welch supporters that includes Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, former Sen. Arthenia Joyner, Rep. Michele Rayner, Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers, St. Petersburg Council Members Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Copley Gerdes, former Council Member Charlie Gerdes and former Pinellas Commissioner Pat Gerard. Welch also has backing from Equality Florida, SEIU, Stonewall Democrats, the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters and the Police Benevolent Association.

The endorsement comes as Crist has also drawn support from a number of prominent St. Petersburg political figures, some of whom previously supported Welch.

All four living former St. Petersburg Mayors — Rick Kriseman, Rick Baker, Bill Foster and Bob Ulrich — and three sitting Council members — Lisset Hanewicz, Gina Driscoll and Mike Harting — have endorsed the former Governor. Crist also has support from Sen. Darryl Rouson, Rep. Allison Tant, former Rep. Ben Diamond, former Council Member Ed Montanari, retired St. Petersburg Police leaders Cedric Gordon and Al White, and former mayoral candidates Kevin Batdorf and Maria Scruggs, among others. 

The latest campaign finance reports also brought Welch a rare fundraising bright spot. 

His political committee, St. Petersburg Progress, raised over $36,000 from Sept. 12-18, topping the $22,000 raised by Crist’s St. Pete Shines for the first time since Crist entered the race. Crist still maintains a sizable financial advantage, with about $384,000 on hand between his campaign and political committee, compared with about $53,000 for Welch.

Crist and Welch will face off Nov. 3 and are scheduled to meet Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. for a televised Spectrum Bay News 9 debate.

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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.