ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) \u2013 Voters in St. Petersburg will have the chance on Tuesday to hear from candidates looking to unseat mayor Ken Welch. The incumbent mayor is planning to try to convince voters to give him a second term in office.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019m focusing on is getting out the message of the promises I\u2019ve made five years ago and how we\u2019ve kept those promises and how we need to continue that work for inclusive progress,\u201d Welch said.<\/p>\n
The mayor held a campaign event on Monday. Several faith leaders announced their support for Welch.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s former fire chief, Jim Large, is running to unseat his former boss. Mayor Welch oversaw the investigation involving former fire chief in 2023. Large was accused of making racists, homophobic, and sexist remarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was accused, I was investigated, I was exonerated, and I was reinstated. So, we need to move on from that and think about the future of the city,\u201d Large said.<\/p>\n
After 50 years of public service, Large retired in March 2024. He\u2019s running, in part, from his experience as a high-ranking city leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hiring practices, my promoting practices, my interpersonal relationships, all of that throughout my career, I stand on those,\u201d Large said. \u201cI know this city very well. I have leadership experience. I\u2019ve managed budgets, I\u2019ve managed many crises in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Welch said he does not have an issue with Large being in the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all. Last time, we had nine or ten people running, a couple council members and a state rep. This is our process. Folks can run if they qualify,\u201d Welch said.<\/p>\n
Large said he will not participate in the debate after previous social media posts were made by NAACP St. Pete members who expressed concerns about his allegations.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow\u2019s debate will feature Mayor Ken Welch, former Gov. and Rep. Charlie Crist, Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard, former NAACP St Pete president Maria Scruggs, and neighborhood leader Kevin Batdorf.<\/p>\n
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