St. Pete Mayor Showdown: Live Florida Primary Results
St. Petersburg Mayoral Election: 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. Think of it like picking a class president—but for the whole city! The person who wins will be in charge of making big decisions about things like parks, roads, public safety, and how the city spends money.
Important Point: This is a primary election. That means voters are narrowing down the field. If nobody gets more than 50% of the votes, the top two candidates will face off again in a runoff election later.
Who’s Running?
There are six candidates on the ballot. Here’s the lineup:
| Candidate | Background |
|---|---|
| Ken Welch | Current mayor (running for re-election) |
| Charlie Crist | Former Governor of Florida |
| Kevin Batdorf | Local candidate |
| Brandi Gabbard | Local candidate |
| Jim Large | Local candidate |
| Marla Lynne-Scruggs | Local candidate |
Fun Fact: Charlie Crist has been a governor before—so he’s like a student who’s already been class president of the whole state!
How Does the Election Work?
Here’s the simple step-by-step:
- You vote – Pick your favorite candidate at your polling place
- Votes are counted – After polls close at 7:00 PM
- Check the results – See if anyone got 50% + 1 vote
- If yes → That person wins!
- If no → Top two candidates go to a runoff (round two)
When Will We Know the Results?
- Polls close: 7:00 PM on Tuesday
- Results start coming in: Shortly after 7:00 PM
- Keep checking back: Results will be updated throughout the night
You can watch live results right here on this page (there’s an embedded results tracker from the Florida Division of Elections).
Where Does This Information Come From?
Source: All election data and results come from the Florida Division of Elections—the official state office that runs elections.
Summary
- What: St. Petersburg mayoral primary election
- When: Tuesday (polls close at 7 PM)
- Who: 6 candidates including current Mayor Ken Welch and former Governor Charlie Crist
- Rule: Need 50%+ to win outright; otherwise, top two go to a runoff
- Results: Live updates after 7 PM from the Florida Division of Elections
FAQ
What happens if no one gets 50% of the vote?
The two candidates with the most votes move on to a runoff election a few weeks later. Voters get a second chance to pick between just those two.
Can I still vote if I haven’t registered?
No—you must be registered to vote before election day. Check your registration status at VoteFlorida.gov.
What does the mayor actually do?
The mayor is like the CEO of the city. They:
- Propose the city budget
- Oversee police and fire departments
- Appoint department heads
- Represent the city at events
- Work with the city council to pass laws
Who is Charlie Crist and why is he famous?
Charlie Crist was the Governor of Florida from 2007–2011. He’s also been a U.S. Congressman and state Attorney General. This is his first run for mayor.
Where can I find my polling place?
Visit the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website or use the "Find My Precinct" tool at VotePinellas.gov.
Stay tuned for live results after 7 PM!