Who Won? St. Pete Mayor Primary Results Live Now
St. Petersburg Mayoral Election: Your Simple Guide to Tuesday’s Big Vote
What’s Happening on Tuesday?
Imagine your whole city getting together to pick the person who will be in charge for the next few years. That’s exactly what’s happening in St. Petersburg, Florida this Tuesday! Voters will head to their local polling places to cast their ballots for the next mayor.
Think of it like: Choosing a class president, but for the entire city!
How Does the Election Work?
It’s not just "whoever gets the most votes wins." There’s a special rule:
- The Magic Number: A candidate needs 50% + 1 vote to win outright.
- The Runoff Rule: If nobody hits that 50% mark, the top two vote-getters face off in a second election called a runoff.
- Why? This ensures the winner truly has majority support from the community.
IMPORTANT POINT: Even if your favorite candidate gets the most votes on Tuesday, they might not win immediately if they don’t reach 50%. Keep an eye out for a possible runoff!
Meet the Candidates
There are six people running for mayor. Here’s the lineup:
| Candidate | Background |
|---|---|
| Ken Welch | The current mayor running for a second term (this is called being the incumbent). |
| Charlie Crist | A big name in Florida politics — he used to be the Governor of Florida! |
| Kevin Batdorf | Local candidate. |
| Brandi Gabbard | Local candidate. |
| Jim Large | Local candidate. |
| Marla Lynne-Scruggs | Local candidate. |
ELI5 Definition: Incumbent = The person who already has the job and wants to keep it.
When Will We Know the Results?
Mark your calendars and set your alarms:
- Polls Close: 7:00 PM (local time) on Tuesday.
- Results Start Rolling In: Shortly after 7:00 PM.
- Where to Watch: Check back on FOX 13 News (or their website) throughout the night for live updates and totals.
Summary: The Big Picture
- Who: 6 candidates (1 incumbent + 5 challengers, including a former Governor).
- What: Primary election for Mayor of St. Petersburg.
- When: Tuesday, polls close at 7 PM.
- The Twist: Winner needs 50%+. No 50%? Top two go to a runoff.
- Source: Official results come from the Florida Division of Elections.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What exactly does a Mayor do?
Think of the Mayor as the CEO of the city. They oversee city departments (police, fire, parks, public works), propose the budget, and represent the city on the big stage. They’re the "face" of St. Pete.
2. Why is Charlie Crist a big deal?
He’s not just a local politician. He served as Governor of the entire state of Florida (from 2007–2011) and has been a U.S. Congressman. He has huge name recognition and a massive political network.
3. What happens if I can’t vote on Tuesday?
Florida offers Early Voting (usually the week or two before Election Day) and Vote-by-Mail ballots. If you missed those deadlines for this election, make a plan for the next one!
4. What is a "Primary Election" anyway?
In many places, a primary is where parties pick their nominee. But in St. Petersburg municipal elections, it’s a "General Election" open to all voters. If someone gets 50%, they win. If not, it’s a non-partisan runoff between the top two.
5. Where do the official results come from?
The Florida Division of Elections is the official state agency that certifies and publishes the final, legal results. News stations (like FOX 13) report the data as it comes in from the county Supervisors of Elections.