Ken Welch

Welch was born August 15, 1964, in St. Petersburg, Florida. His father, David, is a former member of the St. Petersburg city council and founded an accounting company, where Ken worked.{{cite web |last=DeCamp|first=David|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/pinellas-county-commissioner-ken-welch-says-he-wont-run-for-st-petersburg/1138589 |title=Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch says he won't run for St. Petersburg mayor |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=October 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150128/http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/pinellas-county-commissioner-ken-welch-says-he-wont-run-for-st-petersburg/1138589 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/ken-welch-wins-primary-in-quest-for-fourth-county-commission-term/1245817/ |title=Ken Welch wins primary in quest for fourth County Commission term |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=August 14, 2012 |access-date=October 10, 2013}} Welch, a third-generation St. Petersburg resident, grew up in the Gas Plant District, which was repurposed to build Tropicana Field.{{cite web|last=Rodriguez |first=Diedra |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/mayor-ken-welch-gas-plant-community |title=From Gas Plant resident to St. Pete mayor, Ken Welch's life comes full circle |publisher=Fox13news.com |date=2022-09-13 |access-date=2023-04-09}}

Welch attended Melrose and Bay Point Elementary, Bay Point Middle School, and Lakewood Senior High School. He later attended University of South Florida where he studied accounting and received his bachelor's degree. He received his Master of Business Administration from Florida A&M University.{{cite web |title=Board of County Commissioners |url=http://www.pinellascounty.org/commission/KTWelch.htm |website=Pinellas County Florida |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629220600/http://www.pinellascounty.org/commission/KTWelch.htm |url-status=dead }}

After college, Welch returned to St. Petersburg as an accountant for Florida Power Corporation.{{cite web|title=University of South Florida St. Petersburg - Alumni Community Partners|url=https://spcampus.usf.edu/50years/50faces/ken-welch/}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He also served as Technology Manager for his father's small accounting firm. After years of community service, Ken became the first Commissioner elected to represent County Commission District 7 in St. Petersburg, only the second African American commissioner in the history of Pinellas County. He served on the county commission for 20 years.{{cite web|last=Solomon|first=Josh|title=County Commissioner Ken Welch announces St. Petersburg mayoral bid|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/01/15/county-commissioner-ken-welch-announces-st-petersburg-mayoral-bid/|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=April 8, 2023}} The Tampa Bay Times criticized him in 2018 for lobbying on behalf of his wife after she was fired from a publicly funded faith-based reading program.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/Pinellas-Commissioner-Ken-Welch-lobbied-public-officials-about-a-job-for-his-wife_172797957/|title=Pinellas Commissioner Ken Welch lobbied public officials about a job for his wife|work=Tampa Bay Times |last=Puente|first=Mark |date=November 2, 2018}} Questions were raised over expenditures she made on behalf of the organization.{{cite web|last=Puente|first=Mark|url=https://www.tampabay.com/pinellas/spending-gets-flagged-for-reading-program-run-by-wife-of-pinellas-county-commissioner-20181207/|title=Spending gets flagged for reading program run by wife of Pinellas County commissioner|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=December 7, 2018|access-date=April 8, 2023}} Although the Times called the move an "obvious conflict of interest", Welch was "unrepentant" and insisted he was simply defending his wife.{{Cite web |title=Editorial: Ken Welch's obvious conflict of interest |url=https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-ken-welchs-obvious-conflict-of-interest-20181107/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} In October 2021, the Florida Ethics Commission found no probable cause that Welch misused his position while lobbying fellow elected officials{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Kelly |date=2021-10-27 |title=Florida Ethics Commission clears Ken Welch in 2018 lobbying controversy |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/468204-florida-ethics-commission-clears-ken-welch-in-2018-lobbying-controversy/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Florida Politics |language=en-US}}

Welch ran for mayor of St. Petersburg in the 2021 election.{{cite web|title=Ken Welch announces candidacy for mayor of St. Pete|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=April 8, 2023|url=https://stpetecatalyst.com/ken-welch-announces-candidacy-for-mayor-of-st-pete/|work=Catalyst |first=Jaymi |last=Butler}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/election-results-st-petersburg-mayor/|title = Election results: Ken Welch declares victory over Robert Blackmon in St. Petersburg mayor race|date = November 2, 2021|work=WFLA}} He defeated Robert Blackmon in the general election on November 2,{{cite web|last=Wright|first=Colleen|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2021/11/02/ken-welch-takes-early-lead-in-mayoral-race/|title = Ken Welch wins as St. Pete's first Black mayor|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=April 25, 2022|date=November 2, 2021}} and was sworn in to the role on January 6, 2022.{{cite web|first=Sarah |last=Hollenbeck|url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-south-pinellas/st-petersburg/ken-welch-sworn-in-as-the-first-african-american-mayor-in-st-pete|title=Ken Welch sworn in as the first African American mayor in St. Pete|date=January 6, 2022|website=WFTS|access-date=April 8, 2023}} He announced the cancellation of a previous request for proposals (RFP) for the Tropicana Field site where the Tampa Bay Rays play. Welch said a new RFP would include a stadium for the Rays and affordable housing.{{cite web|last=Prator|first=Jack|url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2022-06-29/welch-starting-over-plans-redevelop-tropicana-field-site|title=Welch says he is starting over with plans to redevelop the Tropicana Field site|date=June 29, 2022|website=WUSF Public Media|access-date=April 8, 2023}}

Welch increased the amount of down payment assistance the city offered individuals that are first-time home buyers from $40,000 to $60,000.{{cite web |last1=Figueroa |first1=Daniel IV |title=Ken Welch announces loan forgiveness, higher limits in St. Petersburg housing assistance programs |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/494613-ken-welch-announces-loan-forgiveness-higher-limits-in-st-petersburg-housing-assistance-programs/ |website=Florida Politics |access-date=10 April 2023 |date=8 February 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Schorsch |first1=Peter |title=No. 2 on the list of Tampa Bay's Most Powerful Politicians: Ken Welch |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/590440-no-2-on-the-list-of-tampa-bays-most-powerful-politicians-ken-welch/ |website=Florida Politics |access-date=10 April 2023 |date=March 3, 2023}}

Citing what he considered to be an insufficient amount affordable housing in the project's plans, Welch canceled approval of a redevelopment of city-owned land which had been approved prior to his mayoralty. The cancelled project would have included residential development, a hotel, and a Moffitt Cancer Center campus to downtown St. Petersburg.{{Cite web |title=St. Petersburg mayor rejects Moffitt cancer project over affordable housing |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/08/12/st-petersburg-mayor-rejects-moffitt-cancer-project-over-affordable-housing/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Brezina |first=Veronica |date=2022-08-12 |title=Welch scraps Moffitt’s plans for St. Pete |url=https://stpetecatalyst.com/welch-scraps-moffitts-plans-for-st-pete/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=St Pete Catalyst |language=en-US}}https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/st-petersburg-mayor-rejects-moffitt-development-proposal/67-e0bc1a7d-fb69-45a8-9d0e-55215d153df8 The denial was due to the quantity of affordable housing units that would accompany the development, with 35 of the 120 total units earmarked as income restricted not meeting goals. “This was a strategic decision based on community benefit, shared priorities and the significant value of the subject city land,” Welch said. “While we welcome the addition of this facility and hoped we could successfully negotiate this plan to meet our community benefit goals, negotiations did not meet needed affordable housing".{{Cite web |title=St. Petersburg mayor rejects Moffitt cancer project over affordable housing |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/08/12/st-petersburg-mayor-rejects-moffitt-cancer-project-over-affordable-housing/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} In September 2024, the city announced developer Third Lake Partners was awarded a contract to purchase the site below appraised value for "condos, offices, shops and hotel space", despite the project having no affordable or workforce housing component at all.{{Cite web |title=St. Petersburg to sell part of former Moffitt Cancer Center land |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/09/12/st-petersburg-sell-part-former-moffitt-cancer-center-land/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=St Pete sale third lake partners |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2024/09/13/st-pete-sale-third-lake-partners.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}

Welch established a $500 monthly stipend for lower-paid municipal employees whose positions hold residency requirements. Approximately 250 employees were eligible at the time this was implemented.{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Mark |title=St. Pete moves forward with employee rental assistance |url=https://stpetecatalyst.com/st-pete-moves-forward-with-employee-rental-assistance/ |website=St Pete Catalyst |access-date=10 April 2023 |date=10 June 2022}}

Welch advocated for the city to study the impact of Albert Whitted Airport. Decommissioning the airport for recreation or development use has been proposed multiple times, dating back to 1935.Jason Henbest and Chad Lallemand, [https://consensus.fsu.edu/academic_directory/2004casestudies/AirportJasonChad.pdf "The Albert Whitted Airport Controversy: A Case Study"], Florida State University, Summer 2004. Retrieved September 12, 2023. The notion of reassessing the airport proved controversial among those who support retaining the airport.{{cite web |last=Olsen|first=Jillian|title=St. Pete mayor calls for study to evaluate Albert Whitted Airport's economic, community impact |url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/albert-whitted-airport-study-economic-community-impact/67-c18d45b1-7604-4831-967e-16c316b29230 |website=WTSP |access-date=10 April 2023 |date=February 18, 2022}}

The Junior League of St. Petersburg cancelled their Mayoral Ball, thrown for every Mayor since Rick Baker's reelection in 2006, when Welch declined to attend. The event was to be circus themed, titled "Under the Big Top", prompting third party accusations of racism and inappropriateness, as Welch is St. Petersburg's first Black mayor. Upon hearing of Welch's displeasure, the Junior League offered to change the theme, but did not receive a response from Welch or his team. "He has nothing to do with a circus, clowns, animals," said Rev. J.C. Pritchett, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. "He's a gentleman. A kind gentleman and a public servant."{{Cite web |title=Circus-themed St. Petersburg mayoral ball canceled after Ken Welch declines invite |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2021/12/02/circus-themed-st-petersburg-mayoral-ball-canceled-after-ken-welch-declines-invite/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}https://www.bet.com/article/vvakoo/st-petersburg-mayor-ken-welch-circus-theme-ballhttps://www.npr.org/2021/12/02/1060913002/1st-black-mayor-st-petersburg-florida-ken-welch-ball-circus-theme

On September 1st 2022, Communications Director Janelle Irwin Taylor resigned her position, citing a "hostile work environment, lack of communication or guidance and overall culture of bullying" at City Hall, citing Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens as the main culprit.https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/09/01/st-petersburg-city-communications-director-resigns-immediately-citing-bullying/https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2022-09-02/st-petersburg-vice-mayor-resigns-accused-hostile-work-environment The following morning,https://www.cltampa.com/news/st-petersburg-communications-director-resigns-after-accusing-deputy-mayor-of-bullying-14092965 Mayor Welch placed Owens on administrative leave, pending investigation. Two hours later, Owens resigned her position.https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/09/02/st-petersburg-deputy-mayor-placed-on-administrative-leave-after-toxic-claims/https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2022/09/06/st-pete-deputy-mayor-stephanie-owens-resignshttps://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/st-petes-city-communications-director-resigns-alleging-a-hostile-work-environment A week later, Welch addressed the resignations, defending Owens. “First, I do not believe that there is a pervasive, hostile work environment,” Welch said. “In the case of the statement of our former Comms Director and her resignation letter, there were no complaints filed, nor was I informed of a problem until the day before that letter was sent to the city.”https://floridapolitics.com/archives/554673-ken-welch-defends-stephanie-owens-dismisses-allegations-of-hostile-work-environment/

A Tampa Bay Times review of City Hall key card swipes found that during his first eight months as Mayor, Welch was in his office only 34% of total workdays, excluding weekends and holidays. Welch contended the pattern of attendance painted an incomplete picture, and that he stays up most nights until 9 or 10 PM "doing his homework". “I just want to be clear that the taxpayers are getting their money’s worth,” Welch added. “Every waking moment I’m working for this city.”https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2022/10/26/is-being-mayor-st-petersburg-floridas-fifth-largest-city-remote-job/

In July 2024, Welch authorized $250,000 of bonus money to be given to 17 high ranking city employees for their role in the negotiations for a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. After the bonuses were discovered, public "blowback" influenced Welch to rescind the money, forcing the employees to return them. Although awarding the bonuses was not in compliance with state law, city attorneys stated that by rescinding them "the city has cured the problem and does not face legal jeopardy."https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/08/22/mistake-bonuses-st-petersburg-employees-violated-law-city-says/https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/08/19/city-employee-bonuses-rays-stadium-gas-plant/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/691944-st-pete-employee-bonuses-may-have-violated-florida-law/#:~:text=interpreted%20as%20legal.-,',Council%20members%20and%20the%20public.https://www.fox13news.com/news/st-pete-mayor-criticized-over-performance-bonuses-rescinds-paymentshttps://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/st-petersburg-mayor-takes-back-bonuses/67-fe404547-714d-45af-b84e-92c65624373dhttps://flvoicenews.com/employees-to-repay-250000-after-st-pete-mayor-welch-approved-illegal-bonuses-city/#google_vignette

In September 2024, Florida’s Division of Elections informed Welch's Political Action Committee, Pelican PAC, that it was being closed due to regulatory violations. Among the issues were failing to appoint required officers, and making campaign contributions without disclosing them. “The revocation process is underway,” Ryan C. Ash, the division’s deputy director in the office of external affairs, said at the time. In response, Welch stated "my focus for the last three years has been on my duties as Mayor.”https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/09/20/st-petersburg-mayor-pac-donations-not-reported/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/697154-ken-welchs-pac-threatened-with-regulatory-action/

Many residents criticized the response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, claiming the storms exposed vulnerabilities in the city's recovery system and planning.https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/shore-acres-neighbors-say-theyre-now-seeing-rats-because-of-piles-of-debris-from-hurricanes Residents in low lying neighborhoods such as Shore Acres were especially frustrated with the pace at which the City collected curbside flood damaged refuse, dubbing their uncollected debris piles "Welch Piles".https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/10/25/st-petersburg-welch-piles-faulty-debris-tracker-frustrate-neighbors/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/704834-is-ken-welch-hiding-in-one-of-his-welch-piles-maybe-not-but-for-the-people-of-shore-acres-he-might-as-well-be/ On October 21st,https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R1224.php the City launched a debris collection map to chart progress. Upon release the map did not work, the tracker inaccurately listed which locations had been collected, and the visual tracker for many piles showed "a photo of what appeared to be the same worker posing with peace signs for the camera".https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/10/25/st-petersburg-welch-piles-faulty-debris-tracker-frustrate-neighbors/https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/hurricane/st-pete-debris-map-hurricane-cleanup-shore-acres/67-ca07f4f7-14c6-4dd0-a49d-24209ddf5ab4 “My honest opinion is the mayor of St. Pete has failed us,” said Kevin Batdorf, president of the Shore Acres Civic Association. “They just have not performed adequately. They should have known better. They should have prepared better. They just didn’t.”https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/10/25/st-petersburg-welch-piles-faulty-debris-tracker-frustrate-neighbors/

Neighbors created t-shirts, stickers, and magnets with the "Welch Pile" moniker, selling them through a variety of outlets. When told about the merchandise, Welch responded “I’d love to see that. I want to get one after we clean up that house.”https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2024/10/25/st-petersburg-welch-piles-faulty-debris-tracker-frustrate-neighbors/

Welch and his wife, Donna, have two daughters.{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Mitch|url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/01/15/former-pinellas-commissioner-ken-welch-throws-his-hat-in-the-ring-for-st--pete-mayor |title=Ken Welch Throws His Hat in the Ring for St. Pete Mayor |publisher=Baynews9.com |date=2021-01-15 |access-date=2022-04-25}}

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• [http://www.stpete.org/mayor_s_office/mayor_s_biography.php City of St. Petersburg - Mayor Ken Welch]
• {{ballotpedia|Kenneth_Welch|Kenneth Welch}}

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Category:1964 births

Category:County commissioners in Florida

Category:Florida A&M University alumni

Category:Florida Democrats

Category:Living people

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:University of South Florida alumni

Category:Mayors of St. Petersburg, Florida

Category:African-American mayors in Florida

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Florida