Sep 16, 2021 - Politics

Ken Welch picks up another big endorsement

Selene San Felice

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor stands next to mayoral candidate Ken Welch outside in downtown Tampa. — Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announces her endorsement of Ken Welch for St. Pete Mayor in downtown Tampa. Photo courtesy of the Welch campaign

Democrat Ken Welch is catching endorsements like Pokémon.

The latest: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced Welch as her pick for St. Petersburg mayor Wednesday morning in downtown Tampa.

Earlier this week, Welch was backed by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, state Sen. Janet Cruz and the Suncoast Sierra Club, per Florida Politics.

Why it matters: Both Mayor Castor and Welch spoke of the importance of strengthening the relationship between the two cities in the name of progress.

Welch also has St. Pete's outgoing Mayor Rick Kriseman, former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhornon and Welch's competitor in the Democratic primary, Darden Rice, on his side.

The other side: Welch's competitor, Councilman Robert Blackmon, was endorsed on Monday by former Mayor Rick Baker, a Republican who led the city from 2001 to 2010.

Blackmon also has endorsements from former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, former St. Pete Mayor Bob Ulrich, Treasure Island Mayor Tyler Payne, Redington Beach Mayor David Will and Commissioner Kathleen Peters, the former Mayor of South Pasadena.

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Ken Welch picks up another big endorsement

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