- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
For many voters, St. Petersburg’s hotly contested mayoral race is a referendum on the city’s direction. Today, that debate moves away from the stage and social media to the ballot box.
Residents, regardless of registered party, have until 7 p.m. to make their voices heard. While the mayoral race will likely not be settled tonight - one of six candidates would have to earn over 50% of the vote - the results will determine who advances to a runoff in the Nov. 3 general election.
A crowded field of institutional and grassroots challengers includes former Congressman and Gov. Charlie Crist, two-term City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, retired St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Jim Large, former NAACP President Maria Scruggs, and businessman Kevin Batdorf. All hope to unseat incumbent Mayor Ken Welch.
Between making final polling stops, each candidate shared their thoughts on the journey that brought them here with Power Broker Magazine. Here are their responses, lightly edited for length and clarity, in alphabetical order:
Kevin Batdorf
“I think the campaign has gone very well,” Batdorf said of the race. “There are some slighted news stories because, well, they support different people. It’s always going to be that way. Everybody that I’ve talked to had a positive response to my messaging.”
“I’m going to show people how to run a campaign on $5,000 or less, not $2 million,” Batdorf said, referring to Crist’s record haul. “If I get the support I expect … I really believe I can be in the top two today.”
Charlie Crist
“I feel so blessed, and also humbled, at the outpouring of support we’ve seen throughout this campaign,” Crist said in a statement. “Whether it’s a teacher struggling to live in the city they work, or a firefighter picking up an extra shift so his kids can play soccer or go to dance class, everyone keeps saying the same thing: they’re struggling, and they don’t feel like help is on the way because their city has been on pause.”
“Today’s election is a reflection of that; it’s democracy in action,” Crist added. “I’m grateful to everyone who has cast a ballot so far.”
Brandi Gabbard
“We feel fantastic,” Gabbard said in a brief interview. “It has certainly been a long, hard few months, but I have been so encouraged by our supporters … and the number of people who I’ve never met before that are really focused on the future of our city and a positive vision about how we move forward.
“I think it just really speaks to where people are when it comes to politics,” Gabbard said of recent momentum. “I think people are hungry for someone - and a message and platform - that focuses on the issues of our city. We believe in a city that works for everyone, and that is the message we have been very clear about sharing since day one.”
Jim Large
“On this election day, I pause to express my gratitude to every resident who opened their door, shared concerns, volunteered, contributed, answered a phone, placed a sign in their yard, or placed their full trust in this campaign,” Large said in a statement. “I entered this race believing St. Petersburg deserves experienced, accountable leadership focused on results - not politics as usual.”
“This campaign has confirmed what I’ve always known: our city is full of people who care deeply and want a government that listens and delivers,” Large continued. “Whatever the outcome, I’m proud of a positive, issues-focused campaign built on leadership, accountability, resolve, grit and experience.”
Maria Scruggs
“Coming into the election, you’re reflecting on all the things that have happened over the course - for me, it’s been over a year - and thinking about the things that have gone well,” Scruggs said in a brief interview. “And all the things we’ve been able to accomplish with the petitions, the fundraising, and enough fundraising to do what we needed to do as a grassroots campaign. It just always appeared that we had enough at the right time, so we feel really, really good going into today.”
“I hope that there’s a day when we get out of the media and the money driving how our elected officials are selected because it really does a disservice to public service,” Scruggs added. “If we’re able to pull this off, it would very much change the dynamics on a local level.”
Ken Welch
“I’m feeling optimistic,” said Welch in a brief interview. “I’m thankful for the progress this city has made over my term. But especially because it’s been less than two years since the most devastating hurricanes that we have ever faced, and just how quickly we’ve recovered. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue that progress and get us to an even better position to be a resilient city.”
“The record amount of outside money … $2.2 million to influence a local election is a big change,” Welch said when asked for a key campaign takeaway. “What I’m looking forward to is actually having a substantive debate, and not just platitudes from a well-funded opponent. It’s really important that the people of St. Pete know what they’re getting in their next mayor.”
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