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Kriseman, past Welch backer, endorses Crist for St. Pete mayor

tampabay.com · 14h · first reportShare

Five years ago, then-Mayor Rick Kriseman stood on the steps of City Hall and announced his endorsement of a successor: Ken Welch. Kriseman, who had known Welch for 20 years, made fundraising calls to help the candidate inherit a City Hall he was leaving after two terms. Now, Kriseman has joined the other three living past city mayors in endorsing Welch’s challenger, former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Though the mayor’s race is nonpartisan, Kriseman is the only Democrat in that group. Welch also is a Democrat. Referring to all four previous mayors, “We have greater confidence in Charlie’s ability to move the city forward and continue St. Pete’s upward trajectory than we do in the current incumbent,” Kriseman said. Crist bested Welch by 14 points in the August primary, but did not secure a majority of the votes needed to secure the office outright in a field of six candidates. He has also secured backing from City Council members with Gina Driscoll, Mike Harting and chairperson Lisset Ha