ST. PETE, Fla. — Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is officially running for mayor of St. Petersburg, after filing paperwork to enter the race.
Crist, a St. Petersburg native, previously served as Florida’s 44th governor from 2007 to 2011. He also represented the area in the U.S. House of Representatives. His candidacy marks a return to local politics after years in the state and national office.
The mayoral race will have incumbent Mayor Ken Welch, St. Pete Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard, community leader Maria Scruggs, Jim Large, Paul Congemi, and Kevin Batdorf.
Election officials will now review filings and set the stage for what could be a high-profile contest in the city’s political landscape.
Pasco schools tell parents kindergartners must be potty-trained before class starts
District leaders were receiving reports at the start of the school year that nearly every elementary school had about 10 students who could not independently use the restroom.
