St. Petersburg City Council Member Brandi Gabbard officially qualified for the city’s mayoral race on May 29, filing paperwork at City Hall just hours after incumbent Mayor Ken Welch qualified for his re-election campaign.
Gabbard said, “This moment isn’t about me; it’s about us. It’s about building a future where our neighborhoods thrive, our workforce is empowered, and our city stands strong and resilient against whatever comes our way.”
Having served on the City Council for nearly a decade, Gabbard emphasized her experience in city government as she seeks to become St. Petersburg’s next mayor. “Over the last 9 years, we’ve done incredible work together, and this is the next step toward a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive St. Pete,” Gabbard said.
The upcoming election has drawn several candidates including Welch, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf, Paul Congemi, former Governor Charlie Crist, former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large, and Maria Scruggs. Crist’s entry has added a prominent name to the contest while Gabbard focuses her campaign on affordability, accountability, resilience and community-driven leadership with proposals addressing utility costs, housing issues, public safety improvements and redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District.
Gabbard’s platform includes exploring energy independence from Duke Energy by studying municipal or cooperative power models to potentially lower costs and retain utility revenue within St. Petersburg. She also calls for treating food access as necessary infrastructure in areas such as South St. Petersburg where these issues are pronounced.
Additional proposals include zoning changes aimed at reducing regulations that increase development costs—such as parking requirements—and expanding access to “missing middle” housing options along with accessory dwelling units.
The St. Petersburg mayoral election is scheduled for Aug. 18.
“Get out and vote, and let’s move our city forward together,” Gabbard said.
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