Mayor Ken Welch at a recent event celebrating the opening of SkyWay Loft II, a city-supported affordable housing development with monthly rents starting at $305. Photo by Mark Parker.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, seeking a fresh start in his bid to serve a second term, has launched a new political action committee (PAC).
Welch’s campaign team submitted state documents establishing St. Petersburg Progress PAC on Jan. 30. The change came roughly a month after his previous political committee, The Pelican, reported that former treasurer Yolanda Brown allegedly robbed his warchest of over $200,000.
Time will soon tell if St. Petersburg Progress enables Welch and his new team to turn the page on previous turmoil. A campaign kickoff event, critical to highlighting continued community support, will take place on Feb. 18 at St. Pete Athletic.
“We are in the process of transitioning to a new PAC to ensure there are absolutely no distractions from the work ahead,” said Adrienne Bogen, chairperson for St. Petersburg Progress, in a prepared statement.
“This move is about transparency, accountability, and maintaining the highest ethical standards.”
Welch, surrounded by family and supporters representing dozens of various organizations, formally filed for reelection Feb. 2 at City Hall. He also noted that there is “more work to be done,” while expressing confidence in his steady leadership through a pandemic, multiple hurricanes, and an affordable housing crisis.
St. Petersburg’s first Black mayor brushed off a massive campaign funding gap between him and former Gov. Charlie Crist, who has yet to file. “I’m not focused on that,” Welch said when addressing local media after filing.
“You can’t buy credibility.”
The incumbent has pledged to upgrade the city’s aging infrastructure amid increasing environmental threats. Welch also has staunch support from the local police and fire unions.
Rick Pauley, president of the IAFF Local 747 firefighters’ union, said in a prepared statement that the city needs a mayor who stands with first responders and delivers “real results for public safety and neighborhoods across St. Petersburg.”
However, Welch has faced an abundance of criticism – including over the recent controversy related to his now-defunct, independently-operated PAC.
Kevin Batdorf, president of the Shore Acres Neighborhood Association and a frequent critic of Welch’s hurricane response, recently announced his candidacy without filing. Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, who similarly plans to run but hasn’t made it official, seemingly found a topic to separate herself from the mayor last week.
Gabbard introduced a resolution asking Welch to “pause any action” related to selecting a Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment proposal on Feb. 5, two days after the submission deadline. Her colleagues on the council approved the nonbinding measure, which calls for an independent study of the site’s future, in a 6-2 vote.
Maria Scruggs, former president of the NAACP’s St. Petersburg branch and a frequent candidate for local government, has filed to run. As of Jan. 1, Charlie Crist, also a former Florida governor and U.S. congressman with deep-pocketed and influential supporters, had $712,283 on hand – nearly 15 times the amount remaining in Welch’s reelection account.
Welch, who often highlights his ability to overcome financial deficits, may begin replenishing campaign coffers with a successful launch event. His team is asking supporters to contribute between $25 and $1,000.
A new PAC and campaign officers could also signify a fresh start for donors. Voters, meanwhile, have nearly nine months to decide on a preferred candidate.
“The mayor remains fully focused on delivering results for the people of St. Petersburg, and this adjustment allows the campaign to continue moving forward with clarity and integrity,” Bogen said.
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