Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch became the first
Black mayor of St. Petersburg. His campaign declared victory on Tuesday.

Early results revealed that Welch defeated existing city
council member Robert Blackmon by a margin of 60 to 40 percent.

Also Read: Donald Trump calls Virginia elections for GOP’s Glenn Youngkin, thanks MAGA voters

“First and foremost, thank you, thank you, thank you from
the bottom of my heart. Because of each and every one of you here today we have
made history. But this election is not about me, it’s because of the giants
that came before me— it’s because of the inclusive progress we are working
towards and that’s why we’re all here today,” Welch wrote, in part while declaring
victory.

“This is what St. Pete looks like. This is what unity
looks like. And this is what progress looks like,” Welch stated during his
victory speech.

Also Read: CDC gives final approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 years old

Welch went on to say that the election result
demonstrates the city’s desire for leaders who would continue to move St.
Petersburg forward, rather than backward.

Welch grew raised in the Gas Plant neighbourhood and is a
third-generation St. Pete local. He served as the first commissioner elected to
represent County Commission District 7 for 20 years before running for mayor.

Welch, who is campaigning under the slogan “Progress
for the Sunshine State,” says he wants to be a uniting leader who focuses
on partnerships and working toward a shared objective of improving the city’s
communities.

“We will approach every issue informed by facts, data,
science, and, importantly, our history. History is important because we must
fully understand where we are coming from as a community to determine where we
want to go and to perfect our path forward,” he said.

Also Read: New Jersey unions sue to extend voting hours, cite ‘operational issues’

In the primary, Welch came out on top with 39 percent of
the vote. With the endorsement of outgoing Mayor Rick Kriseman and others, he
was considered a favourite leading into the general election.