The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board released its endorsement for the upcoming St. Petersburg mayoral election Thursday. Its choice: former Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch.
Welch, who has raked in a slew of endorsements in the past few days, from the city’s LGBTQ community to local faith leaders, was selected by the Times Editorial Board among the race’s eight candidates.
According to the endorsement, the board chose Welch because he can “maintain the city’s momentum.”
“Whoever takes charge after Mayor Rick Kriseman must also be up to other challenges: Negotiate with the Tampa Bay Rays. Champion the best plan for the Tropicana Field site. Create more affordable housing. Prepare the city for sea-level rise. And keep crime in check,” the board wrote. “The mayor must build bridges, not pick pointless fights. Be tough when it’s called for, but understand the power of humility. Listen to neighborhood residents. Have a vision for how much greater the city can be in 10 years.”
