Ken Welch on St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Scott Wagman's team

ST. PETERSBURG - We suspected this for some time and now it is official.

Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch is backing mayoral hopeful Scott Wagman.

Welch was considered a frontrunner in the mayoral race early this year before he announced he would not run.

UPDATE: Welch is playing hard to get.

"It is not an endorsement per se," said Welch. "That photo certainly reflects that I have a great relationship with Scott. He would be a great partner and I would look forward to working with him."

Welch, however, concedes that he is not posing for pictures with any of the other mayoral candidates. So is it fair to say Wagman has his support?

"You don't write a $500 check for someone who you don't support or you don't think would be a good person for that job," Welch said.

Check out the Wagman campaign's new advertisement, which seems aimed at black voters.

 

UPDATE: And here is another mailer from the campaign.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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Comments

[too bad]

Too bad for Welch to join this sinking ship. $cott Wagman will spend $1 million and finish fourth.

[watch what you say]

I dare anyone here to call Welch stupid. Go ahead. let's see how low you'll sink. Wagman is THE best candidate... period.

[Sucks 4 You]

Wagman will finish below eldrich.

[NG]

Wagman is WASTING HIS $$$$$

[southside voters]

I am sad that Welch has joined this losing team just because the Dems are trying to get their rediculous candidate in office. Wagman does not know the first thing about our city and should not be elected. Welch has just dropped off my list of good guys..he used to do the right thing, now he's just doing the expediant thing. What a sad day for Welch.

[MoreLikeBelch]

10:28
Welch is not the brightest bulb. Welch went against Jeb Bush's own taskforce committee on election reform.

Jeb's committee recommended optiscan which they said was cheaper and more reliable. It was also already certified by our state.

Why did Welch go with the no paper touchscreen? Our state law clearly says you must be able to see the intent of the voter. It was against the law. Sinister? Hard to prove. Smart? I think not. All 15 touchscreen counties had to get new equipment, again. It coust us, the taxpayers. It was 32 million total.

I just don't call this smart, and do not give a hoot who he supports in the race. Welch has made a career out of his seat like most the rest. Time for him to go too.

[More Endorsements]

As Scott Wagman racks up the endorsements - the other campaigns do nothing but attack him on the blogs.

Good strategy - keep it up!

[saintpetersblog]

Another day, another story about Scott Wagman violating the norms of electioneerig:

http://saintpetersblog1.blogspot.com/2009/07/another-day-another-story-about-scott.html

[Pelican Pete]

Ken Welch is a well respected Polititian.

I know that Mr. Welch wrestled with this decision for quite a while.

I do not, however, find it to be terribly suprising that Welch, a member of the Democratic Executive Committe has endorsed the candidate that his party is supporting.

[Biggy Smalls]

KT (aka: the Great Orator of Useless Ordinance) could have had this wrapped up if he had the stones to jump in himself. But I suspect he feared placing his self-proclaimed political acumen on the hot seat. It also would have saved a lot of people a lot of trouble, and the current experience, in the utter ridiculous, we’re going through now. Since her sweetheart deal at the JWB was exposed, Wagman must have promised to put KT’s wife into another sweetheart job on our dime. If KT didn’t have the guts to lead himself, why on earth would you trust his pick for a leader… particularly one who seems to have no problem violating city sign ordinance?

And so long as these unscrupulous hacks continue to use race as a political tool, the longer race will be an issue. Sorry KT – a hack backing a hack is all this is.

[wow]

All of my community leaders are lining up behind Scott. That can't be a bad thing since St. Pete is my favorite place - :)

[Fact]

Actually, Welch was the only Commissioner who spoke up for optical scan. His endorsement of Wagman is a major development.

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/85571820.html?dids=85571820:85571820&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+23%2C+2001&author=LISA+GREENE&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=1&desc=Touch+screen+voting+holds+lead

[DEveron's cook]

Mike Atwater pales in comparison to this endorsement. Welch is outstanding and I trust his judgement.

[How can this]

Be a bad thing? Two key endorsements coming from people that lead my community. It doesn't make me vote for Scott persay but I look at him with a little more thought towards him as a potential.

[Deveron G]

This makes me mad! I wanted that endorsement!

Oh well, I guess the best man won.

[Deveron's Minion]

This endorsement does not mean anything! Because we didn't get it...

Yeah, I stick by that story....

Deveron, can I please carry your bags?

[Don't Trust Wagman!]

Christina,

Has the St. Petersburg Times confirmed that Ken Welch that he has given his endorsment to Wagman?

I don not see a release from the Commissioner. All I see is a picture that Wagman the wagamn campaign has printed on a flier.

This is the same guy who posts commercial signs on peoples private property without the owners permission

The same guy who Plasters his signs illeagaly on every right of way and median all over the city.

I wouldn't put it past him to publish this piece even though Welch has not put out an endorsement.

Show me the press release!

[Deveron's Sign]

I am big and all over the city too.... but we don't say PLASTERED, we say gently placed and enviornmentally sound because that is how you spin it when you are me!

[Deveron's Homosexual Tendency]

Did you see my home movie with me and Crist hugging?

[Picture of them together does not mean an endorsement]

Just because the times says its so doesn't mean it is so. Don't be so naive.
The whole issue with the signs just is stupid. it is an election, candidates always do signs, everywhere. Besides Wagman was not the one to spend 20K on signs, some of those monstrous Deveron signs, no matter if they are legally put or not, are a nuisance.
And both Ford and Foster have posted big signs on 1st ave S at resident homes... So to say that just one candidate is doing something illegal with posting signs, is just stupid!

[Scott Signman]

Vote for me; I care about black people!

I do, really!... look, I’ll prove it… I’ve got a couple of black guys with me on this black & white (wink/wink) flyer! That proves that I like you folks. Heck, I even hired a couple of you folks to clean my house and business!

Now, I’ll use a different flyer to pander to the white neighborhoods, but pay no attention to that.

[keepin it unreal]

Can't wait to see Foster's piece with Mawmaw Tee.

[deveron has yet to respond]

To the charges of his latent homosexual ad. As a conservative, I am leaning towards Foster now.

I will ask it here:
Deveron, are you gay?

[Morgan]

This is a smart move on Welch’s part. His dad backs Deveron and he backs Wagman. Good way to cover both bases and guarantee that the free ride can go on a little longer.

What’s really sad is Bennett’s situation. These crooks played that man for the fool that he is. Bennett kissed Welch’s butt and pimped his praises for years, and when he sought the favor in return… Welch dropped him like he does a twenty at 8th and 43rd.

Just goes to show you Jamie… when they’re done using you; they’re done using you.

Welch & Welch: For the People… named Welch!

[True Blue]

That's two votes that Wagman will get out of the black community.