Former Congressman Charlie Crist (left), who said he was surprised and humbled by his15-point margin of victory, held his watch party at Cassis restaurant on Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy of Charlie Crist’s campaign, Facebook). Mayor Ken Welch (right) greets joyous supporters on Tuesday night at his campaign’s watch party, held at the St. Petersburg Fire Fighters Association headquarters. (Photo by Mark Parker) 

St. Petersburg voters have narrowed the mayor’s race to a two-candidate showdown, setting the stage for a high-stakes runoff between incumbent Ken Welch and former Florida governor and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist.

The contest will now become a calculated fight for voters who backed the four defeated candidates, a demographic Welch is already working to secure. Crist, with a record fundraising haul that topped $2 million, comfortably won the primary with 35.2% of the vote.

Over 44% of the electorate is now up for grabs, however, as Welch finished second with 20.7% of the vote. “I spoke to a couple of candidates today as we were out,” he said, after addressing supporters at the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters headquarters on Tuesday night.

“We’re absolutely going to talk to those candidates and their supporters,” Welch added. “All have been working in our community, all have laid out their vision and plans. Charlie Crist has not laid out any plans, no vision.”

​According to preliminary results, Crist, Welch, former St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Jim Large (17.8%), two-term City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard (17.6%), former NAACP president Maria Scruggs (5.2%), and businessman Kevin Batdorf (3.4%) received a combined 55,239 votes - 31.6% of the eligible electorate. 

While 55,400 ballots were cast in the 2021 primary, when Welch (39.4%) and former Councilmember Robert Blackmon (28.3%) advanced to the general election, that accounted for 29.3% of eligible voters. 

Crist credited a “campaign of unity” for his 15-point lead in the year’s race at his watch party, held at Cassis restaurant along affluent Beach Drive. “We have Republicans, Democrats, and Independents here, and without all of you, this wouldn’t have happened,” Crist said. 

“We’re bringing St. Pete back together.”

Crist, also a former governor and state representative, told supporters that “we’ve got to make St. Pete affordable.” Welch said the city cannot control soaring living costs.

He also touted his administration’s response to five years of crises, including multiple hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, while stating that the city needs more than a “Monday morning quarterback” fueled by “out-of-town special interest money.”

When asked for his thoughts on Crist spending approximately $1.5 million on the primary yet failing to garner over 50% of the vote, Welch said, “You can’t buy credibility.”

Crist responded to the mayor’s criticism after a brief victory speech. “I wish he weren’t so negative, you know, he ought to feel good about where he ended up tonight, and ought to be positive,” he said of Welch.

“I’m not going to be negative on him tonight, because our country and our county and our city deserve better,” Crist continued. “I’m better than that, and he should be, too.”

Voter turnout surpassed the 2021 mayoral primary, which Ken Welch won by over 21 points. (Photo by Mark Parker)

The 31.6% of eligible Pinellas County voters who cast their ballots in the primary election helped decide several other notable local and state races. Those include:

Governor (Republican Primary)

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (49.7% in Pinellas) handily defeated Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (27.1%).

Governor (Democratic Primary)

Pinellas resident and former U.S. Rep. David Jolly (71%) secured a decisive victory over public school teacher Dayna Foster (11.9%).

U.S. Senate (Republican Primary)

Pinellas voters overwhelmingly chose Sen. Ashley Moody (81%) over technology consultant Chris Gleason (13%).

U.S. Senate (Democratic Primary)

State Rep. Angie Nixon (52%), a Democratic Socialist, scored an upset victory over retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman (48%).

U.S. Representative, District 16 (Republican Primary)

Sydney Gruters (67.1%), executive director of the New College Foundation, bested business executive Ed Pope (21.6%).

U.S. Representative, District 16 (Democratic Primary)

Former Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner (44.4%) paced a crowded field. Educator and U.S. Air Force veteran Tamika Lyles (24.77%) finished second.

U.S. Representative, District 13 (Democratic Primary)

Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leela Gray (65.1%) defeated high school teacher Brandt Robinson (26.4%).

State Senator, District 16 (Democratic Primary)

State Rep. Fentrice Driskell (54.5%) outlasted fellow Rep. Michelle Rayner (45.5%).

State Senator, District 18 (Democratic Primary)

Former paramedic and firefighter Karla Kemp (59.9%) defeated real estate property manager Linda Kellis Harris (40.1%).

State Representative, District 62 (Democratic Primary)

Community activist Kyandra Darling (61.7%)  handed former Rep. Wengay Newton (38.3%) his fifth electoral loss in six years.

St. Pete City Council, District 6 (Non-Partisan)

Nonprofit consultant Linsey Grove (28.4%) and Trevory Mallory (22.7%), president of a homebuyer assistance organization, will compete to replace Councilmember Gina Driscoll in the Nov. 3 general election. The district encompasses downtown St. Petersburg.

Hillsborough County

The voter turnout in Hillsborough County was just 25.6%, six points lower than Pinellas. However, the percentage of eligible residents casting a vote slightly increased from the 2022 primary (25.3%).

U.S. Representative, District 14 (Republican Primary) 

Former State Rep. Mike Beltran (45.6% in Hillsborough) defeated former Rep. Kevin Steele (30.2%) and will now challenge U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor in the redrawn district.

U.S. Representative, District 15 (Democratic Primary)

U.S. Army veteran Robert People (62.3%) will now face incumbent U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee in the general election.

U.S. Representative, District 12 (Democratic Primary)

Former County Commissioner Kimbery Overman (55%) bested physician Daren McAuley (45%). Incumbent U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis awaits in the general election.