Darryl Rouson adds Charlie Crist endorsement, praises his ‘integrity and dedication to public service’

State Sen. Darryl Rouson, a staple of St. Petersburg politics for nearly two decades, is endorsing former Gov. Charlie Crist for Mayor.

Rouson also made clear he’s not withdrawing his support for incumbent Mayor Ken Welch.

While Rouson said he’s not sure who he will ultimately vote for, he said he believes “both Ken and Charlie should make it out of the Primary.”

“I believe Charlie meets the threshold to lead our city,” Rouson said, adding that “Crist has spent his entire life serving our community, guided by a commitment to shared values, bringing people together and uplifting his fellow citizens.”

“I have known Charlie for decades and have seen first hand his integrity and dedication to public service,” Rouson said.

“Throughout his career, Charlie has demonstrated leadership with compassion, integrity, and has always put people before politics. Those qualities have earned my lifelong respect and admiration, and that is why I believe he too would make an outstanding Mayor for our city.”

While Rouson made it clear he’s not withdrawing support from Welch, his added support for Crist could be a huge win for the former Governor and U.S. Representative.

Rouson was first elected to the House in 2008 and to the Senate in 2016. When he leaves office this year due to term limits, his legislative career will have spanned approximately 18 years.

Rouson is one of the most trusted voices in the city’s Black community. His support, even if it runs parallel to ongoing support for Welch, sends a strong message to the Black community, some of whom may be reluctant to withdraw support from the city’s first Black Mayor.

As the incumbent, Welch is effectively guaranteed to be a frontrunner in the race. But Crist has quickly established himself as the other frontrunner, far out-fundraising raising Welch.

What’s more, criticism for the incumbent abounds. That much was on full display last week during the first mayoral debate, in which every candidate not named Welch directed most of their barbs at the incumbent.

Crist, on Monday, launched a new digital ad attacking Welch over his decision to cancel a project with Moffitt Cancer Center during his first year in office. Welch has also faced criticism about his administration’s handling of the 2022 hurricanes, the breakdown of a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays to build a new stadium in St. Pete, and ongoing issues with the city’s water billing.

That criticism, paired with Rouson’s nod, could mark a shift in the campaign as the August 18 Primary draws nearer.

The endorsement comes after the latest fundraising reports for political committees showed Crist banking another $283,000 to his affiliated political committee, St. Pete Shines. Combined with campaign contributions, Crist has raised more than $1.6 million. By comparison, Welch raised less than half what Crist pulled in during the most recent reporting period, and his total political committee fundraising lags even further behind, with just over $300,000 raised.

Welch and Crist aren’t the only candidates running. City Council member Brandi Gabbard, former city fire chief Jim Large, prison administrator Maria Scruggs, and former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President Kevin Batdorf are also in the race, though none have reached either Welch or Crist’s funding levels and polling suggests the race will likely be between the incumbent and former Governor.