St. Pete Mayor Showdown: Live Florida Primary Results
St. Petersburg Mayoral Election 2026: Everything You Need to Know
What’s Happening?
Voters in St. Petersburg, Florida are heading to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next mayor. It’s like a big group decision where everyone who lives in the city gets to pick who they want to be the leader for the next few years.
How Does the Election Work?
Important Point: This isn’t a simple "most votes wins" situation. Here’s the special rule:
- If one candidate gets more than 50% of all votes, they win immediately!
- If NO ONE gets 50%, the top two candidates go to a runoff election (a second round of voting) to decide the winner.
Think of it like needing a clear majority to win outright—otherwise, the top two contenders face off one more time.
Who’s Running?
There are six candidates on the ballot:
- Ken Welch – The current mayor, running for re-election (trying to keep his job)
- Charlie Crist – Former Governor of Florida (that’s like being the "president" of the whole state!)
- Kevin Batdorf
- Brandi Gabbard
- Jim Large
- Marla Lynne-Scruggs
When Will We Know the Results?
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Polls close | 7:00 PM |
| First results expected | Shortly after 7:00 PM |
| Full results | Throughout the night |
Tip: Check back later tonight for updated vote totals as they come in!
Where Does This Information Come From?
Source Alert: All election data and results come directly from the Florida Division of Elections—the official state office that runs elections.
Step-by-Step: What Happens Next?
- Tuesday – People vote at their polling places
- 7:00 PM – Polls close, vote counting begins
- Election night – Results start appearing online
- If needed – A runoff election will be scheduled for the top two candidates
- Winner sworn in – The new (or returning) mayor takes office
Summary
- St. Petersburg votes for mayor on Tuesday
- Six candidates are running, including current Mayor Ken Welch and former Governor Charlie Crist
- Winner needs 50%+ to avoid a runoff
- Results start after 7 PM – stay tuned!
- Official source: Florida Division of Elections
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What time do polls close?
7:00 PM local time. Anyone in line by then gets to vote.
What happens if no one gets 50% of the vote?
The top two vote-getters go to a runoff election—a second vote just between those two candidates.
Who is Charlie Crist?
He was the Governor of Florida from 2007–2011 (and again 2013–2019 as a Democrat). Governor is the highest elected job in the state—like the mayor, but for all of Florida.
Where can I see live results?
Check the Fox 13 News website throughout election night—they’ll have an updating results tracker from the Florida Division of Elections.
When would a runoff happen?
The exact date would be announced after Tuesday’s results, but Florida law typically schedules runoffs a few weeks after the primary.
Tags: #2026Elections #Florida #StPetersburg #LocalGovernment