ST. PETERSBURG – Today, Equality Florida Action PAC, Florida’s largest political committee working to elect pro-equality candidates, announced the endorsement of Ken Welch in his campaign to be the next mayor of St. Petersburg.
Ken Welch has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community. Welch supported the 2008 Human Rights Ordinance amendment which banned discrimination in Pinellas County on the bases of sexual orientation, and in 2013 he led the charge to add gender identity protections as well. If elected, Ken Welch would break another important barrier as the first Black Mayor of St. Petersburg in the city’s history.
“Ken Welch has been a progressive champion on the issues that matter most to the people of St. Petersburg ,” said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida. “Electing a strong, seasoned and tested leader like Ken Welch to one of Florida’s most pro-equality cities is crucial to the LGBTQ community.”
“Incredible. Thank you Equality Florida for your support and friendship,” said Ken Welch. “Our community is built on our diversity and our LGBTQ brothers and sisters play such an important role in molding our culture, cultivating businesses, and paving a path of inclusive progress for our community. As Mayor, I will work with everyone to ensure our internal and external policies and procedures build upon the great work of the Kriseman administration in making equity and inclusion a core principle of St. Petersburg’s governance.”
In addition to being an advocate for LGBTQ equality, Welch led many successful initiatives while on the Pinellas County Commission. Welch expanded small businesses with the Small Business Enterprise program, he spearheaded justice reform, and he led the charge which created funds that totaled $100 million for supporting affordable housing.
Ken Welch has earned the endorsement of U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist, Representative Michele Rayner, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Welch has also earned the endorsement of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County.
