Ken Welch reconsiders mayoral bid

ST. PETERSBURG -- Two months ago, County Commissioner Ken Welch said he was almost certain he wasn't going to run for mayor this year.

A recent article by St. Petersburg Times columnist Ernest Hooper about the 10 most intriguing personalities of 2008 has forced Welch to reconsider, he said.

"Hardly a day goes by without a person I respect or know asking me to reconsider," said Welch (left). "Ernest's column on Saturday has kind of amplified that."

Welch, who is serving his third term, said he is now 50 percent certain he will run. He said he will make a final decision by the end of the month.

"It's just can I make more of an impact there (in City Hall) than I can make at the County Commission?" he said. "I've never been one to turn away from a challenge and I think we are certainly going to have some challenging times in front of us both at the city and the county level."

We'll let you know when he makes up his mind.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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Comments

“Welch, who was recently reelected…”

ANNNNNNt…. No, sorrrry, wrong. Not one vote was cast for Welch in the ’08 Election. He was “re-appointed” by way of apathy.

However, he should run for Mayor.

[saintpetersblog]

If there has ever been a time for someone to step up in our city, now is that time. I know that the County Commission is a great job, but Ken, this town deserves a better class of, um, politican and you can give it to them (to paraphrase the Joker).

[Tramor]

I love it, Ken and Devron can beat each other up and allow the other candidates to move forward. Ken, why leave a good paying job to become Mayor in a city that is 22% black or african american?

[Reality]

Ken Welch should run for Mayor of St. Pete. In fact, I would venture to guess that if he throws in, it’s game over. If he aspires to a long and emergent political career, the value of the “executive” experience would be immeasurable – particularly if he’s successful as Mayor, and I suspect he would be. The only experiences he’s gaining for “this” BOCC, is criminal culpability – and that reality is a ticking time bomb of inevitability.

Go for it, KT, it would be the smartest thing you’ve ever done.

[Tramor]

What Reality are you speaking of, your reality that is influenced by others such as Go Davis and his cronies at the Police Department and more in other city department? Ken Welch and Reality haven't done their polling. Hope and change are what this City needs but it's not going to be coming from Ken Welch, Devron Gibbons, or a few others that are working to divide the city between Democrats and Republicans.

[Dr_Dug]

What we need is someone new. I'm tired of the same ol' people changing jobs from top to bottom. We need a new face...a young and hungry person that believes in the system and will follow the laws...

[Stu]

Darden Rice offers the best opportunity for new, creative leadership in St Petersburg. I hope she runs and continues her history of community leadership!

[mike m.]

Now - finally - the citizens of St. Petersburg have something - someone - to be excited about in this race.

Welch has the public and private sector experience necessary to effectively govern our city.

He has proven himself to be a world-class public servant over the years, and is highly capable.

And, he is a very fine individual.

Run, Ken, run!

Run Ken!

[notsosmart]

I think the Commissioner is a fine candidate for mayor and he should give running for mayor of St. Pete some serious consideration. My only hope is that the "Penny for Pinellas" program is Audited "before" Election Day just to see if the BCC collectively spent our pennies as if they were supposed to be spent. After all, it was 4+ years since the last audit of the program and several issues were highlighted. It will be good for the electorate to know this info before casting a vote for/against Commissioner Welch.

Darden Rice, I hope she runs and continues her history of losing.

Don’t look now, Tramor, but you have deep-seeded racial issues.

Dr_Dug,

I don’t necessarily disagree with you… but… election history dictates that what people “say” we need, and what people “do” on Election Day, is very different.

Case in point; Congress! Worst approval rating in its’ history, but most were put right back in office on Election Day.

wow, talk about old news. LOL.

I bet it’s not old news to her or her parents!

Ken, Now is the time. You have more than enough experience and support. Do you really want to go down with the Bostock/Brickfield BCC? You have an opportunity to go "home" and lead your community...really lead it into the 21st century. Hear that knock? It's fate. Answer the door.

Since we are talking about County Comissioners running I would like to see Nancy Bostock run for mayor. I'm sure she won't run since she was just elected to the BCC, but she would be a superior mayor to Welch, or any of the other candidates mentioned for that matter.

I would love to see Nancy run and take Bill Foster down with her. Just wishin'.

[Mortimer Snerd]

Hey, Happy Birthday and what a present...

I can't think of a more delusional posting, ever, that would suggest that Nancy Bostock run for something that actually needs to be Run...

And who says we won't have enough topics...

Mortimer Snerd: except of course your own post.