Allison Tant backs Charlie Crist in St. Pete Mayor’s race

Rep. Allison Tant is supporting Charlie Crist’s campaign for St. Petersburg Mayor based on a decadeslong political relationship with the former Governor as he looks to return to public office. 

Tant notes that she has known Crist through a number of roles, including his time serving as state Senator, Governor and Congressman. 

“I’m delighted to see him take this chance to return to public service. He shows up, he listens, he rolls up his sleeves and takes action to address the work of caring for others and his community and takes the hard, critical work of addressing the needs of the people and his community seriously,” Tant said.

“He will be an excellent Mayor and I wholeheartedly endorse his campaign for Mayor of St. Petersburg.”

Crist announced the endorsement Thursday, praising Tant for her longtime advocacy for students, families and Floridians with disabilities and service as a former Chair of the Florida Democratic Party.

“Allison has spent her career fighting for the people who need a voice most, from students and families to Floridians with disabilities. As a former Chair of the Florida Democratic Party and a respected leader in Tallahassee, she knows what real public service looks like. And when disaster strikes her community, she shows up and gets the job done,” Crist said.

“That is the kind of leadership I’ll bring to my hometown. Thank you, Representative Tant, for standing with this campaign. Together we are going to restart the progress that has made St. Pete great.”

The announcement comes days after Crist announced a larger slate of Democratic leaders who also endorsed his campaign against incumbent Mayor Ken Welch.

Those include U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, former U.S. Reps. Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, state Sen. Darryl Rouson, former state Rep. Ben Diamond, former Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary and state Rep. Frank Peterman, current and former Tampa and St. Petersburg City Council members, and other political leaders. 

The St. Petersburg Mayor’s race is nonpartisan, but it has drawn significant attention from Democratic elected officials and activists as Crist and Welch compete for support among the city’s left-leaning voter base. City Council Member Brandi Gabbard is also polling with double digit support in the race, ahead of several other candidates vying for the seat.

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Ed. note: Michelle Todd Schorsch is the Chair of St. Pete Shines, a political committee backing Crist for St. Petersburg Mayor. Todd Schorsch is married to Peter Schorsch, the publisher of Florida Politics.