ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WWSB) – Former governor and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is running for office again, this time for mayor of his hometown St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
He joins a crowded race of six others for the seat, current held by Democrat Ken Welch.<\/p>\n
In a campaign video, Crist, 70, touts his experience as a former governor, education commissioner and attorney general. He criticizes the city\u2019s high cost of living and struggles after recent hurricanes. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs Mayor, I\u2019ll show up, make city government work, put people first, and hold costs down so we can lift this city up,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
In 1992, Crist won a seat in the Florida Senate. Eight years later, he became Florida\u2019s commissioner of education. He was elected Florida\u2019s attorney general under Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002. <\/p>\n
In 2006, Crist was elected governor. Following that term, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an Independent, defeated by now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio. <\/p>\n
He ran unsuccessfully for governor as a Democrat in 2014.<\/p>\n
In 2016, Crist was elected to the U.S. House, representing Florida\u2019s 13th Congressional District covering the St. Petersburg\u2013Clearwater area. <\/p>\n
He resigned in 2022 to run again for governor and was defeated by Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n
According to a new poll by Florida Politics, Crist holds an early edge in the field for mayor that includes incumbent Welch.<\/p>\n
The survey found 23% of residents polled would vote for Crist if the election were held today, followed by 19% for Welch.<\/p>\n
Other candidates in the poll included City Council member Brandi Gabbard at 6%; Maria Scruggs at 5%. Former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large polled at 4%. Former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President Kevin Batdorf got 2%.<\/p>\n
The primary election is set for Aug. 18, with the top two candidates advancing to the Nov. 3 general election if no one captures a simple majority.<\/p>\n
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