The 2026 St. Petersburg mayoral election took place on August 18, 2026, with a runoff election scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026. Incumbent mayor Ken Welch, who was first elected in 2021, is seeking re-election. Welch and his main challenger, former Florida governor Charlie Crist, advanced to the runoff election after no candidate received a majority of the vote.
The election is officially non-partisan, though candidates are free to reveal their registered party affiliations. Crist and Welch are both registered members of the Democratic Party.
Candidates Advanced to runoff Charlie Crist, former U.S. representative (2017–2022), former Republican governor of Florida (2007–2011), Democratic nominee for governor in 2014 and 2022, and Independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010 (Democratic) Ken Welch, incumbent mayor (Democratic)
Eliminated in first round Kevin Batdorf, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association president (endorsed Crist) Brandi Gabbard, St. Petersburg city councilor (Democratic) Jim Large, former St. Petersburg fire chief (Republican) Maria Scruggs, former president of the St. Petersburg NAACP and perennial candidate (endorsed Crist)
Not on ballot Paul Congemi, perennial candidate and candidate for mayor in 2009, 2013, and 2017
Declined Ben Diamond, former state representative from HD-68 (2016–2022) (endorsed Crist)
First round Endorsements
Polling +Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorKevin BatdorfCharlie CristBrandi GabbardJim LargeMaria ScruggsKen WelchUndecidedSt. Pete PollsJuly 27–28, 2026351 (LV)± 5.2%3% 34%15%9%3%19%17%St. Pete PollsJuly 18, 2026379 (LV)± 5.0%4% 31%11%9%2%17%26%4%35%12%9%2%18%20%St. Pete PollsMarch 25–26, 2026538 (LV)± 4.2%2% 23%6%4%5%19%42%––24%––32%44%
Debates and forum + 2026 St. Petersburg mayoral election debates and candidate forum Date Host Moderator Link Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan NonpartisanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Kevin Batdorf Paul Congemi Charlie Crist Brandi Gabbard Jim Large Maria Scruggs Ken Welch1 Jun. 10, 2026 NAACP St. Petersburg Branch No. 5130 Judithanne McLauchlanCraig PatrickMarilyn Turman YouTube 2 Jun. 18, 2026 League of Women VotersSt. Petersburg Area YouTube 3 Jun. 24, 2026 Bay News 9Stronger Together St. Pete Foundation Josh Rojas YouTube
Results
Runoff Endorsements
Polling +Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorCharlie CristKen WelchUndecidedSt. Pete PollsAugust 31 – September 1, 2026509 (LV)± 4.3%52%27%21%St. Pete PollsJuly 27–28, 2026351 (LV)± 5.2%45%30%25%St. Pete PollsJuly 18, 2026379 (LV)± 5.0%44%28%28%St. Pete PollsMarch 25–26, 2026538 (LV)± 4.2%36%31%33%
Results
See also 2026 Florida elections 2026 Tallahassee mayoral election 2026 United States local elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Charlie Crist for Mayor Ken Welch for Mayor