Welch, Crist on track for St. Pete Mayor runoff

Driving the news: Welch drew five opponents in his bid for reelection, including Crist and City Council Member Brandi Gabbard.

• Welch entered the race more vulnerable than one might expect of a sitting mayor, dogged by unfinished projects and criticism that he was too often absent from City Hall and public view.
• Sure enough, the first round of voting left Welch trailing Crist by more than 10 percentage points. Neither won enough support to avoid a runoff.

Zoom in: Crist received about 35% of the vote, according to unofficial results. He had led in the polls ahead of the election and raised more than his rivals, raking in a record $2 million for his mayoral bid.

• Welch clinched just over 20% of the vote, enough to keep his bid for a second term alive.
• Jim Large, meanwhile, received 18%, while Gabbard drew 17%. Maria Scruggs took 5%, while Kevin Batdorf finished with 3%.

What's next: The runoff will take place during the general election on Nov. 3.

• Gabbard, Large, Scruggs and Batdorf combined for nearly 43% of the vote, leaving Welch and Crist with a sizable bloc of voters to court heading into November.