Former St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Jim Large filed paperwork Wednesday to run for mayor of St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
Large spent 18 years as fire chief and 50 years total with the department. He retired in 2024<\/a> after being cleared of allegations<\/a> that he created a hostile work environment<\/a>. A deputy chief recently asked Large to give notice before visiting fire stations<\/a>, writing in a letter that his visits had become excessive and disruptive.<\/p>\n According to a news release sent out by Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala, a consultant for Large\u2019s campaign, Large announced his candidacy on the anniversary of his 1974 swearing-in as a firefighter. Large is running on a platform of supporting the police and fire departments, repairing aging roads, sewer and water systems, and planning betterfor hurricanes and storms.<\/p>\n Large told the Tampa Bay Times he\u2019s always considered running for office and misses serving the community. He announced his campaign outside former Fire Station No. 3, located at 2701 Fifth Ave. S, where he served for many years.<\/p>\n Large is supported by a political committee, A Better Burg, which was registered with the state Jan. 29.<\/p>\n \u201cI care about what the needs are, and when I talk to people, there\u2019s a tremendous amount of frustration \u2014 and it shouldn\u2019t be that way,\u201d Large said. \u201cCity government should get back to providing what it needs to provide.\u201d<\/p>\n Large, 70, is the third candidate to challenge incumbent Mayor Ken Welch, who is running for reelection. Former NAACP St. Petersburg branch president Maria Scruggs<\/a> and perennial candidate Paul Congemi<\/a> are also in the race.<\/p>\n St. Petersburg police and fire unions have already endorsed Welch<\/a> and stood by him as he announced his candidacy for mayor.<\/p>\n Former Florida governor and congressman Charlie Crist<\/a> is expected to throw his hat in the ring for mayor. He has not filed paperwork, but a political committee supporting him<\/a> has raised $1 million, it recently announced.<\/p>\n