Brandi Gabbard calls mayoral race a ‘critical crossroads’ for St. Petersburg

City Council member Brandi Gabbard is calling the 2026 mayoral race a “critical crossroads” for St. Pete, and is asking for voter support this year over incumbent Mayor Ken Welch and (potentially) a well-funded Charlie Crist.

In a campaign email, Gabbard said she brings a more deliberate, forward-looking approach.

“We deserve leadership that does more than just react to the challenges of today — we need a Mayor who will proactively plan for the realities of tomorrow. That is why I am officially running to be your next Mayor,” Gabbard wrote.

Gabbard is among a growing field of candidates looking to unseat Welch, including former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President Kevin Batdorf, and perennial contenders Paul Congemi and Maria Scruggs.

Crist is also expected to join the race, though he has not filed to do so. A PAC supporting Crist’s potential campaign has surpassed $1 million in total fundraising even before the former Governor has officially thrown his hat into the ring. He was also recently spotted at a fundraiser attended by a bipartisan crowd ranging from former Pinellas GOP Chair Paul Bedinghaus and libertarian activist Cliff Gephardt to former President Barack Obama megadonors Donna and Tim Main.

Gabbard highlighted her track record with the City Council and as a real estate broker in calling for voter and donor support.

“I have been honored to serve as a tireless advocate for our neighborhoods. From fighting for affordable housing and tackling flood insurance affordability to supporting our small businesses and building resilient, sustainable infrastructure, I have always put the people of St. Pete first,” Gabbard said.

“I have spent my career — both in the private sector as a real estate broker and in public service — learning how to bridge gaps, solve complex problems, and bring people together to get real results. But to build the city we all deserve, I cannot do it alone.”

Gabbard did not mention redevelopment efforts for the Historic Gas Plant District in her campaign email, but she has publicly pushed to stall Welch on efforts to redevelop the project. She has called for third-party consulting on the matter, which could delay selection of a developer for the site, but Welch said he’s willing to play ball with a consultant that does not delay the effort. 

The district’s redevelopment once appeared to be a hallmark victory for Welch until the Tampa Bay Rays pulled out of a deal with previous team ownership to rebuild Tropicana Field to incorporate a broader mixed-use district.

Welch is now working to align a new development partner, but time is ticking as the November election draws near. The Council’s 6-2 vote backing her approach marked an early political win for Gabbard and injected some uncertainty into Welch’s preferred timeline for moving redevelopment forward.

Welch has defended his administration’s approach, emphasizing that the city is building on years of planning and community input. But the saga, and others, such as hurricane recovery qualms, has given Welch’s opponents reason to join the race.

With the campaign still in its early stages, the race is taking shape around competing visions for how the city should approach its next phase of growth, who has the deepest pockets, and who is the best candidate for the job. 

Gabbard said her campaign is about “more than just an election; it’s about ensuring that St. Petersburg continues to put its people first,” and is collecting donations on her campaign website. 

“Whether you have been with me from the beginning or are just learning about my vision for our city, I would be honored to have you on our team,” Gabbard said.

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