Ken Welch

Ken Welch
Ken Welch
Born	Kenneth T. Welch 15 8, 1964
Birthplace	St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	First African-American mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida
Education	University of South Florida (BA) Florida A&M University (MBA)
Website	[kenwelch.com Official site]

Kenneth T. Welch (born August 15, 1964) is an American politician serving as the mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida. A member of the Democratic Party, Welch made history when he was sworn into office on January 6, 2022, becoming the first African-American mayor in the city's history. Before becoming mayor, Welch served on the Pinellas County Commission representing the 7th district for nearly two decades, from 2002 to 2022. A lifelong St. Petersburg resident, Welch has focused his mayoral administration on issues including affordable housing, infrastructure investment, and the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site, commonly known as the Historic Gas Plant District. In February 2026, Welch announced his re-election campaign while delivering his annual State of the City address, in which he outlined a proposed $600 million infrastructure bond and renewed commitments to the Gas Plant District redevelopment.

Early Life

Kenneth T. Welch was born on August 15, 1964, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He grew up in the city, which has remained his home throughout his life and political career. Welch's deep roots in St. Petersburg have been a defining aspect of his public identity and political campaigns, connecting him to the community he would eventually lead as mayor.

St. Petersburg has a complex racial history, particularly regarding the African-American community. The Gas Plant neighborhood, a historically Black district, was razed in the late 20th century for the construction of Tropicana Field, a decision that displaced thousands of residents and remains a significant point of discussion in city politics. Welch's background in this community would later inform his priorities as both a county commissioner and mayor, particularly his focus on the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site with an emphasis on honoring the historic Gas Plant community.

Education

Welch attended the University of South Florida (USF), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later pursued graduate studies at Florida A&M University (FAMU), a historically Black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, where he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Both institutions are part of the State University System of Florida. His education at USF, which has a campus in St. Petersburg, further cemented his ties to the local community, while his MBA from FAMU provided him with a foundation in business administration that would later inform his approach to county and city governance.

Career

Pinellas County Commission (2002–2022)

Welch began his career in elected office in 2002 when he joined the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, representing the 7th district. He served on the commission for nearly two decades, making him one of the longest-serving members of the body during that period.

During his time on the county commission, Welch worked on a range of local government issues. His tenure on the commission gave him extensive experience in county-level governance, including budgeting, land use, transportation, and social services.

In 2010, Welch considered running for mayor of St. Petersburg but ultimately decided against entering the race. At the time, he indicated that he preferred to continue his work at the county level. This decision delayed his entry into city politics by over a decade.

During his tenure on the county commission, Welch's wife's involvement in a reading program drew scrutiny. The Tampa Bay Times reported that spending was flagged for a reading program run by the wife of the Pinellas County commissioner. Separately, the Tampa Bay Times also reported that Welch had lobbied public officials about a job for his wife.

2021 Mayoral Campaign

In January 2021, Welch announced his candidacy for mayor of St. Petersburg, seeking to succeed term-limited mayor Rick Kriseman. His entry into the race was also covered by Bay News 9, which noted his long tenure as a Pinellas County commissioner.

Welch ran as a Democrat in the nonpartisan municipal election. His campaign centered on themes of equity, economic development, and community investment. On November 2, 2021, Welch won the mayoral election, taking an early lead that held throughout the counting process. His victory was historic, as he became the first African-American mayor elected in the city's history.

Mayor of St. Petersburg (2022–present)

Welch was sworn in as the 55th mayor of St. Petersburg on January 6, 2022, succeeding Rick Kriseman. His inauguration marked a milestone for the city, which was founded in 1888 and had never before had an African-American chief executive.

Tropicana Field and the Gas Plant District

One of the most prominent issues of Welch's administration has been the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site, located in what was historically known as the Gas Plant District, a predominantly African-American neighborhood that was demolished to make way for the stadium. In June 2022, Welch announced that the city would start over on plans to redevelop the Tropicana Field site, signaling a new direction from previous proposals. Welch has emphasized the importance of honoring the historic Gas Plant community in any redevelopment plan.

In February 2026, during his State of the City address, Welch announced that the city would move forward with evaluating proposals for the Historic Gas Plant site, pushing the redevelopment forward as a central element of his agenda for the year.

Affordable Housing

Welch has made affordable housing a stated priority of his administration. In one notable decision in August 2022, Welch rejected a Moffitt Cancer Center project over concerns related to affordable housing, signaling his willingness to prioritize housing needs in development decisions.

His administration also announced changes to the city's housing assistance programs, including loan forgiveness and higher limits for housing assistance. These moves reflected Welch's focus on addressing the housing affordability crisis that has affected St. Petersburg and much of the Tampa Bay region.

Infrastructure and 2026 Agenda

On February 18, 2026, Welch delivered his annual State of the City address at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. The address focused on the city's strength and resilience, and outlined an ambitious agenda for the year.

A centerpiece of the address was a proposed $600 million infrastructure bond, which Welch positioned as necessary to address the city's infrastructure needs. The address also included discussion of hurricane recovery efforts and infrastructure updates, reflecting challenges the city had faced.

Florida Politics described the address as "unprecedented in local politics," noting the scope of Welch's ambitions for the year ahead.

2026 Re-election Campaign

On the evening of February 18, 2026, following his State of the City address, Welch formally launched his re-election campaign at the St. Pete Athletic Club. At the event, Welch took his first public jabs at Charlie Crist, the former Florida governor and U.S. congressman who is expected to be a challenger in the mayoral race. The re-election launch was closely watched by local political observers as a signal of the competitive nature of the upcoming contest.

Recognition

Welch has been recognized for his political influence in the Tampa Bay region. Florida Politics ranked him as the No. 2 most powerful politician in Tampa Bay, reflecting his stature as mayor of the region's second-largest city and his influence on major development and policy decisions.

His election as the first African-American mayor of St. Petersburg was noted as a historic milestone by multiple media outlets at the time of his inauguration in January 2022. The significance of this achievement was underscored by St. Petersburg's history, including the displacement of the African-American Gas Plant community and the city's broader civil rights history.

The University of South Florida's St. Petersburg campus has recognized Welch as one of its notable alumni, featuring him in its "50 Faces" series celebrating the campus's 50th anniversary.

Legacy

As of 2026, Welch remains in office and is seeking re-election, making a full assessment of his legacy premature. However, several aspects of his tenure are notable for their potential long-term impact on St. Petersburg.

His election as the first African-American mayor of St. Petersburg in 2021 represented a historic moment for a city with a complex racial history. The Gas Plant District, once a thriving African-American neighborhood, was demolished to build Tropicana Field, and Welch has made the redevelopment of that site — with an emphasis on honoring the community that was displaced — a central focus of his administration.

His proposed $600 million infrastructure bond, if approved, would represent one of the largest public investments in the city's history and could reshape St. Petersburg's infrastructure for decades. His decisions on affordable housing, including the rejection of the Moffitt Cancer Center project and the expansion of housing assistance programs, have positioned housing affordability as a key issue in city policy.

Welch's nearly two-decade tenure on the Pinellas County Commission, followed by his service as mayor, has given him one of the longest records of continuous public service in the region's recent political history.