Mayor Ken Welch (C) at the St Pete Pride flag raising in 2025. (Photo by Dylan Todd)<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG | Mayor Ken Welch<\/a> filed for a second term Feb. 2, launching his reelection campaign \u201cto keep making progress for our city.\u201d<\/p>\n Welch, a Democrat and longtime LGBTQ+ ally, was elected St. Petersburg\u2019s 54th and first Black mayor in 2021<\/a>. His campaign says he has \u201cfocused on delivering real, measurable progress for St. Petersburg\u201d in the years since.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, I am officially launching my campaign \u2026 because I believe deeply in the direction our city is heading and in the people who make this place so special,\u201d Welch announced Feb. 2. \u201cWhen I took the oath as Mayor, I made a commitment to lead with integrity, listen with intention and deliver real progress for St. Petersburg.\u201d<\/p>\n Welch said the city has \u201cfaced extraordinary challenges\u201d during his first term. He cited \u00a0devastation from Hurricane Helene<\/a> and Hurricane Milton<\/a> and decisions \u201cabout our city\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n Notably, St. Petersburg officially terminated a redevelopment deal<\/a> with the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> last year. The Florida Department of Transportation<\/a> also removed inclusive asphalt art throughout the city, including the Progressive Pride street mural<\/a> in the Grand Central District.<\/p>\n \u201cMake no mistake, this is not the end of the story,\u201d Welch promised in August<\/a>. St. Petersburg subsequently installed 11 Pride-inspired bike racks<\/a> at the site in December.<\/p>\n \u201cTo our LGBTQ+ community: you are a vital and valued part of St. Petersburg, and my commitment to protecting your rights, dignity, and safety is unwavering,\u201d Welch tells Watermark Out News. \u201cSt. Pete will continue to lead with inclusion, equity, and respect \u2014 because everyone deserves to live openly and proudly in the city they call home.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout his term, St. Petersburg has maintained its perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign\u2019s<\/a> annual Municipal Equality Index<\/a>. Welch has regularly participated in St Pete Pride<\/a> and shown support for other LGBTQ+ events like the Joy Ride<\/a> \u00a0and Winter Pride<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n Welch also appointed Nathan Bruemmer<\/a> as St. Petersburg\u2019s LGBTQ+ liaison last year. The advocate is the first transgender liaison for the city.<\/p>\n Turning to the next four years, the mayor\u2019s campaign website outlines a \u201cclear framework for progress.\u201d It cites Welch\u2019s \u201cin-touch leadership, inclusivity, innovation, informed decision-making, impactful service and intentional equity\u201d to \u201censure progress is thoughtful, accountable and community-centered.\u201d<\/p>\n Welch\u2019s campaign priorities \u201creflect what residents care about most right now,\u201d his website notes. It says he will focus on affordable housing and stability, safer neighborhoods and reduced crime, jobs and workforce opportunity, infrastructure and climate resilience, equitable growth and local prosperity.<\/p>\n \u201cBy focusing on inclusive growth and local opportunity, Ken is ensuring that St. Petersburg\u2019s prosperity is shared, sustainable, and built from the ground up,\u201d it reads. Learn more about his campaign below:<\/p>\n Welch may face high profile competition in this year\u2019s mayoral race. St. Petersburg City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard<\/a> has announced plans for a challenge<\/a> and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist<\/a> may also run for mayor.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s election is scheduled for Aug. 18. A run-off election will follow Nov. 3 if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.<\/p>\n