St. Pete Mayor’s race to take center stage at Suncoast Tiger Bay debate

Candidates running for St. Petersburg Mayor will take the stage Tuesday for a Suncoast Tiger Bay Club debate as the six-way race enters its closing stretch.

The debate comes with mail voting already underway ahead of the Aug. 18 Primary and early voting set to begin Aug. 8, giving voters one more opportunity to hear directly from the candidates before casting their ballots.

Incumbent Mayor Ken Welch, St. Pete City Council member Brandi Gabbard, businessman Kevin Batdorf and jail administrator Maria Scruggs have confirmed to Florida Politics that they will attend. Former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large and Scruggs have also been invited, but didn’t respond to inquiries before publication. Former Gov. Charlie Crist, the leading fundraiser in the race, announced Tuesday morning he would not be attending. Crist cited the cost to attend Tiger Bay; members pay $25 for the luncheon, while nonmembers pay $35. And only members can ask questions of the candidates; a year-long membership costs $200. 

“St. Petersburg residents deserve to learn more about the candidates in this important race and I want to make sure all residents, not just those willing to pay $35, are able to learn more about my campaign and how I plan to put St. Petersburg back on the right track. My pledge to you has always been to find innovative ways to improve affordability in our beautiful city, and this tele-townhall is one of them. Democracy should not come with an admission fee,” Crist said. 

Instead, Crist said he will be donating, from his affiliated political committee, the amount that would have been spent on admission for himself, staff and select supporters to the charitable organization BabyCycle. The nonprofit provides diapers, wipes and other infant necessities to families in need, a mission that Crist said aligns with his campaign priorities.

He also said that in lieu of participation in Tuesday’s forum, he will be hosting a tele-town hall digitally, for free, at 5 p.m. His event will serve as counter-programming to Tiger Bay, with the broader candidate forum opening its doors at 5:30 p.m.

“With our tele-town hall, families can participate in the democratic process from the comfort of their own home, without having to find child care, take time off work or pay for admission they might not be able to afford. That is the kind of city I want to lead. One where your voice is heard whether or not you can open your wallet,” he added. 

Suncoast Tiger Bay Club Executive Director J.C. Pritchett, meanwhile, praised Tiger Bay for serving as a “public square” for Tampa Bay area residents over the past 48 years of the club’s existence. 

“All candidates have been invited, and our members and guests look forward to seeing them,” he told Florida Politics without confirming any candidates’ attendance or absence. 

Pritchett said three mayoral debates held in June drew audiences of as many as 350 people in person. With voting now underway, he said the timing gives residents another chance to evaluate the candidates once more before casting their ballot.

“With early voting beginning, this is an excellent time to see the candidates in person again,” Pritchett said.

Tuesday’s event comes as the contours of the race have begun to sharpen. Crist enters the final weeks with an advantage in recent polling and fundraising, while Welch continues to defend his first term record to persuade voters to keep him in City Hall.

A recent St. Pete Polls survey conducted July 18 found Crist receiving nearly 31% support, compared with 17% for Welch. 

Meanwhile, Gabbard followed with 11% support, Large received 9%, businessman and community leader Kevin Batdorf drew nearly 4% and Scruggs received just over 2%. More than a quarter of likely voters remained undecided.

That gives candidates an opportunity to influence voters still on the fence at Tuesday’s debate. Previous candidate forums have focused on the future of the Historic Gas Plant District, the city’s relationship with the Tampa Bay Rays, hurricane recovery, affordability, permitting delays, utility costs, development and public trust in City Hall. 

The campaign between the two fundraising leaders has also grown more contentious in recent weeks. Crist and his allies have intensified criticism of Welch’s leadership and record at City Hall, while Welch and allies of his own have punched back — defending his administration’s work on housing, infrastructure, resilience and redevelopment. Tuesday’s debate offers candidates another opportunity to distinguish their plans as the Primary approaches.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on Aug. 18, the top two finishers will advance to the Nov. 3 General Election.

The Suncoast Tiger Bay Club event begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the James Museum, located at 150 Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg. Registration must be completed online, and tickets will not be sold at the door.