ABOVE: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Ken Welch. Photo courtesy the Welch campaign.
TAMPA | Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has endorsed Ken Welch to lead St. Petersburg.
Castor, the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor, has worked closely with St. Petersburg’s term-limited Mayor Rick Kriseman since assuming office in 2019. The outgoing official has also endorsed Welch to become his successor.
Welch served as a Pinellas County commissioner for five terms prior to his mayoral bid. The Democrat will face first-term City Councilmember and Republican Robert Blackmon in St. Petersburg’s Nov. 2 general election.
Castor joined the longtime LGBTQ ally for a press conference in Tampa Sept. 15 to detail her support for his efforts.
“I could not be more excited to endorse Ken today,” she shared. “Tampa Bay is at an inflection point. Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that St. Pete elect a partner in progress, a proven inclusive leader and a person whose deep roots uniquely position him to take St. Pete into the next great chapter of their city.
“The success of Tampa Bay is dependent on both the City of St. Pete and the City of Tampa working together and building relationships to ensure that everyone gets to share in the successes of our great region,” she continued. “I look forward to working with Ken on regional collaboration to ensure smart growth, a clean and sustainable water supply and infrastructure investments that benefit Tampa Bay residents for generations.”
“Mayor Jane Castor is a lifelong dedicated public servant – she has worked for decades to make our neighborhoods safer and to make Tampa Bay an inclusive and welcoming community for everyone,” Welch shared.
“She is a true partner in progress,” he added. “I’m proud to have her support and with it, we will work to take our region to the next level and build inclusive progress for the next generation of Tampa Bay residents and visitors alike.”
Welch also Castor’s endorsement via social media.
Another of the I-4 corridor’s leaders joined Castor Sept. 16, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
“I’m so proud to endorse Ken Welch to be the next Mayor of St. Petersburg today,” Dyer shared. “As Mayor of Orlando since 2003, I’ve witnessed unparalleled growth across the I-4 corridor and that’s because of the incredible working relationship the region’s mayors maintain.
“By focusing on collaboration above competition we’ve ensured our cities grow strategically and complimentary to one another,” he continued. “Issues like clean water, smart and balanced growth, affordable housing, and ending gun violence cannot be achieved without working across the aisle and with our partners across the state. Ken will do just that and keep St. Pete moving in the right direction and maintaining the momentum that my friend and colleague Mayor Kriseman has started.”
“Mayor Dyer is an outstanding Mayor and has been an impactful leader for the State of Florida over the last two decades,” Welch responded. “He is committed to working with partners, avoiding needless political fighting, and has moved our region forward, as we experience explosive growth, opportunities, and challenges. I’m proud to have his endorsement and look forward to working on regional issues that affect us across the I-4 community.”
The mayoral endorsements follow support from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and Florida Sen. Janet Cruz, two longtime, equality-focused leaders in the region.
“I trust Ken Welch to stand up for a clean, healthy and resilient Tampa Bay,” the congresswoman shared. “The Tampa Bay area is growing, and we need leaders like Ken Welch who will work to ensure our community grows in the right way. Ken’s track record on smart growth, transit, the environment and fighting for equal opportunity for all will be tremendous assets to St. Pete and the entire Tampa Bay area as we grow and thrive.”
“Congresswoman Castor has been a steadfast leader for Tampa Bay for years,” Welch responded. “Her leadership on the environment and resilient and sustainable infrastructure will pay dividends for all of Tampa Bay for generations to come. I’m honored to have the support of such an incredible partner in progress and look forward to working with her in Congress to protect our clean water and all of Tampa Bay as the next Mayor of St. Petersburg.”
Cruz cited Welch’s “commitment to in-touch and inclusive leadership” in her endorsement. The senator advised that his “experience and ability to work across the aisle to move the community forward will benefit the city and enable the type of inclusive progress that we all want to see moving forward.”
“Senator Cruz has worked for decades to uplift the community,” Welch shared afterwards. “Principled and shared progress don’t just happen by accident, and she embodies the type of dedication and informed decision making it takes to make that a reality.
“I’m humbled by her support,” he continued, “and will work hand-in-hand with her in the State Legislature next year as mayor to make sure all of our communities in St. Pete share in the benefits of new growth and prosperity as we continue to thrive.
St. Petersburg’s general election will be held Nov. 2 with no early voting. The deadline to request a mail ballot is Oct. 23. For more information about Ken Welch’s campaign, visit KenWelch.com.
