2017 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election explained

Country:Florida
Flag Image:File:Flag of St. Petersburg, Florida.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2013 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election
Previous Year:2013
Election Date:August 29, 2017 (first-round)
November 7, 2017 (runoff)
Next Election:2021 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election
Next Year:2021
1Blank:First-round vote
2Blank:First-round percentage
3Blank:Second-round vote
4Blank:Second-round percentage
Candidate1:Rick Kriseman
Party1:Nonpartisan politician
1Data1:27,322
2Data1:48.4%
3Data1:34,531
4Data1:51.6%
Candidate2:Rick Baker
Party2:Nonpartisan politician
1Data2:27,253
2Data2:48.2%
3Data2:32,341
4Data2:48.4%
Mayor
Before Election:Rick Kriseman
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Rick Kriseman
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

St. Petersburg, Florida, held a general election for mayor on August 29 and November 7, 2017, with a primary election which took place on August 29, 2017. Incumbent mayor Rick Kriseman, a Democrat, opted to seek re-election. His opponent in the runoff was Republican former mayor Rick Baker (2001–2010). The election was officially non-partisan.

Incumbent Rick Kriseman won re-election.[1]

Background

In the 2013 election, then incumbent mayor Bill Foster opted to seek re-election for that year's mayoral election. With no candidates having a majority in the primary election,[2] Foster and former Florida House of Representatives member Rick Kriseman faced off in the general election, where Kriseman was elected on November 5, 2013, by a 10 point margin.[3] [4] He assumed office on January 2, 2014.[5] [6]

Candidates

Declared

In December 2016, advocate and singer-songwriter Paul Congemi announced his bid for mayor.[7] In January 2017, current incumbent mayor Rick Kriseman filed for re-election.[8] [9] In March 2017, African People's Socialist Party activist Jesse Nevel filed for election,[10] as well as Anthony Cates II, a salesman.[11] In May 2017, former St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker filed for re-election,[12] [13] and Ernisa Barnwell. In June 2017, activist Theresa Lassiter announced her bid for mayoral office.[14] [15]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Rick KrisemanRick BakerAnthony CatesJesse NevelPaul CongemiTheresa LassiterErnisa BarnwellUndecided
St. Pete PollsJune 28, 2016620±3.9%36.1% align="center" 37.3%align=center align=center align=center align=center align=center 26.6%
St. Pete PollsDecember 12, 20161,100±3.0%35.1% align="center" 43.8%align=center align=center align=center align=center align=center 21.1%
St. Pete PollsJanuary 30, 2017892±3.3%37.3% align="center" 46.5%align=center align=center align=center align=center align=center 16.3%
St. Pete PollsMay 16, 20171,237±2.8%33.2% align="center" 46.4%align=center align=center align=center align=center align=center 20.4%

Primary campaigns

Seven candidates ended up filing for the mayoral office before the cut-off date on June 23.[16] The front-runners include the incumbent mayor Kriseman and former mayor Baker, with minor candidates including Nevel, Lassiter, Cates, Congemi, and Barnwell.[17]

At the start of each campaign, Kriseman focused on the continuation of progress which included financing and construction of a new police headquarters and St. Petersburg Pier, poverty, and keeping the Tampa Bay Rays in the city. Baker aimed to win voters with his past management reputation, rebuilding the Sundial, and the Major League Soccer bid for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Minor candidates such as Nevel and Lassiter vowed to focus on poverty and on St. Petersburg's southern historical black community.

Upon announcement of his re-election bid, Kriseman received endorsements from congressman Charlie Crist, U.S. senator Bill Nelson, the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association,[18] and four city council members in March.[19]

On June 27, Kriseman and Baker participated in a debate which centered on local issues and questions as well as past campaigns.[20] [21]

On July 10, Barnwell was disqualified from the race due to a bounced check upon applying for candidacy.[22] On the same day, the second public mayoral debate was held between both major candidates—Kriseman and Baker—and minor candidates—Nevel, Lassiter, Cates, Congemi, and Barnwell—on issues involving the economy is south St. Petersburg, the police department, and homelessness before being halted by protesters.[23] In the latter, mayoral candidate Congemi went viral after a comment he made on July 18 during a mayoral forum towards another mayoral candidate Nevel and his supporters.[24] [25]

On August 9, Ernisa Barnwell was officially disqualified from the mayoral race after a judge dismissed her injunction.[26]

Throughout the primary election, Baker had been endorsed by the Tampa Bay Times,[27] [28] various pastors in St. Petersburg,[29] as well as realtors.[30] In August, Kriseman was endorsed by Barack Obama.[31] [32] [33]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Rick Kriseman (incumbent)Rick BakerAnthony CatesJesse NevelPaul CongemiTheresa LassiterErnisa BarnwellUndecided
St. Pete PollsJune 27, 2017754±3.6%38.8% align="center" 43.5%2.0%2.1%1.7%3.0%0%8.9%
St. Pete PollsJuly 17, 20171,011±3.1%37.7% align="center" 45.7%1.7%1.4%2.8%3.1%align=center 7.6%
St. Pete PollsAugust 7, 2017862±3.3%39.3% align="center" 45.7%1.4%1.6%3.9%2.7%align=center 5.3%
St. Pete PollsAugust 23, 20171,524±2.5%40.3% align="center" 46.7%0.8%2.0%2.4%1.8%align=center 5.9%

Primary results

Kriseman and Baker obtained the most votes of any the candidates during the August 29 primary and both will advance a second election on November 7 as neither got the majority vote needed to avoid a runoff election.[34] The day after the primary took place, it was reported Kriseman took 48.36 percent of the vote, or 27,322 votes with all 92 precincts reporting. Baker, a former two-term mayor, won 27,253 or 48.23 percent.[35] Kriseman's win in the actual primary vote was unexpected, since opinions polls conducted before the election showed Baker with not only a wide lead, but enough potential to win over enough voters needed to cross the more than 50 percent majority threshold;[36] at his post-election party, Baker had also given a speech claiming prematurely that he had won the primary as well.

General election

At the beginning of the general election on September 6, both Kriseman and Baker temporarily suspended their campaigns to prepare for Hurricane Irma.[37]

Notes and References

  1. News: Salomone. Julie. Rick Kriseman wins re-election for mayor of Saint Petersburg. 9 November 2017. WFTS Tampa Bay. 7 November 2017.
  2. Web site: St. Petersburg Primary. August 29, 2013. Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. July 1, 2017.
  3. Web site: Rick Kriseman tops Bill Foster in St. Petersburg mayor's race. Puente. Mark. Cox. John Woodrow. November 5, 2013. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. July 1, 2017.
  4. News: Kriseman defeats Foster in St. Pete mayor's race. Staff. November 5, 2013. Tampa Bay Online. July 1, 2017. January 11, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140111170532/http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/voters-trickle-to-the-polls-in-st-pete-20131105/. dead.
  5. Web site: St. Petersburg swears in Mayor Rick Kriseman with showy outdoor ceremony. Puente. Mark. Stanley. Kameel. January 2, 2014. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. July 1, 2017.
  6. News: Rick Kriseman sworn in as St. Pete mayor. Staff. January 2, 2014. WFTS. July 1, 2017. en-US.
  7. Web site: Perennial candidate throws his hat into ring for St. Pete Mayor. Frago. Charlie. December 28, 2016. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170507042042/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/perennial-candidate-throws-his-hat-into-ring-for-st-pete-mayor/2307669. May 7, 2017. May 9, 2017. dead.
  8. Web site: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman files for re-election. Frago. Charlie. January 5, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170514010920/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/kriseman-filed-for-releection/2308579. May 14, 2017. dead. May 9, 2017. mdy-all.
  9. Web site: Rick Kriseman files for re-election as St. Pete mayor. Irwin. Janelle. January 5, 2017. Tampa Bay Business Journal. May 10, 2017.
  10. News: Social justice activist Jesse Nevel steps into St. Pete Mayor's race, will challenge Kriseman from the left. Bradshaw. Kate. May 8, 2017. Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. May 9, 2017. en.
  11. Web site: (2017) Election – Candidates. City of St. Petersburg. August 30, 2017. August 31, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000127/http://www.stpete.org/elections/docs/Primary-Election-Qualified-Candidates-Revised-7-10-17.pdf. dead.
  12. Web site: It's Rick vs. Rick: Former mayor Rick Baker will challenge incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. Frago. Charlie. May 8, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170508195547/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/rick-baker-files-for-mayor-of-st-pete/2323132. May 8, 2017. May 9, 2017. dead.
  13. News: 'Battle of the Ricks': Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker announces run for old office. Bergin. Mark. May 9, 2017. WTSP. May 10, 2017. en-US.
  14. Web site: Do you need to vote in city elections to run for mayor of St. Petersburg? Jesse Nevel says no. Frago. Charlie. June 26, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170626202745/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/do-you-need-to-vote-in-city-elections-to-run-for-mayor-of-st-pete-jesse/2328511. June 26, 2017. June 27, 2017. dead.
  15. Web site: "Momma Tee" Lassiter jumps into St. Petersburg's mayoral race. Frago. Charlie. June 7, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711142900/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/momma-tee-lassiter-jumps-into-st-petes-mayoral-race/2326516. July 11, 2017. July 7, 2017. dead.
  16. Web site: St. Petersburg qualifying ends. Seven for mayor. Eight in primary for City Council District 6 seat. Frago. Charlie. June 23, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170629043836/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/st-pete-qualifying-ends-seven-for-mayor-eight-for-district-6-on-primary/2328339. June 29, 2017. July 7, 2017. dead.
  17. Web site: 2017 Election Candidates. St. Pete Chamber of Commerce. July 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170627224442/http://www.stpete.com/2017-election-candidates.html. June 27, 2017. dead.
  18. News: As Battle of the Ricks heats up, Police Benevolent Association endorses Kriseman. Bradshaw. Kate. May 12, 2017. Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. July 7, 2017. en.
  19. Web site: Kriseman nets council endorsements. Frago. Charlie. March 22, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20171005135802/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/kriseman-nets-council-endorsements/2317469. October 5, 2017. July 7, 2017. dead.
  20. News: Kriseman, Baker debate in St. Pete town hall. Axelbank. Evan. June 27, 2017. Fox 13. July 7, 2017. en-US. July 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170702072322/http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/264273881-story. dead.
  21. Web site: St. Petersburg showdown: Kriseman and Baker pull no punches in first forum. Frago. Charlie. Moore. Waveney Ann. June 28, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. July 7, 2017.
  22. Web site: Barnwell disqualified from St. Pete mayor's race. Frago. Charlie. July 10, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170713131921/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/barnwell-disqualified-from-st-pete-mayors-race/2329905. July 13, 2017. July 11, 2017. dead.
  23. Web site: Video: St. Pete mayoral debate marred by Uhuru protest, ended in shoving match. Frago. Charlie. July 11, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711043101/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/st-pete-mayoral-debate-marred-by-uhuru-antics-ended-in-shoving-match/2329976#comments. July 11, 2017. July 11, 2017. dead.
  24. Web site: Paul Congemi's 'Go Back to Africa' rant goes viral after St. Pete mayoral forum. Frago. Charlie. July 19, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032729/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/congemis-go-back-to-africa-rant-goes-viral/2330905. September 17, 2017. September 16, 2017. dead.
  25. News: Fla. mayoral candidate had a message for activists who want reparations: 'Go back to Africa'. Wootson. Cleve R. Jr.. July 19, 2017. The Washington Post. September 16, 2017. en-US. 0190-8286.
  26. Web site: Ernisa Barnwell loses her bid to get back on ballot in St. Pete mayor's race. Frago. Charlie. August 9, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825232903/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/ernisa-barnwell-loses-her-bid-to-get-back-on-ballot-in-st-pete-mayors-race/2333189. August 25, 2017. August 25, 2017. dead.
  27. Web site: TBT editorial board recommends Rick Baker in St. Pete mayoral race. Sickler. Michael Van. July 28, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825232739/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/rick-baker-endorsed-in-st-pete-mayoral-race-by-tbt-editorial-board/2331859. August 25, 2017. August 25, 2017. live.
  28. News: Color us shocked! The Tampa Bay Times finally "recommends" Rick Baker in St. Pete mayor's race. Bradshaw. Kate. July 28, 2017. Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. August 25, 2017. en.
  29. Web site: Rick Baker releases endorsement of 40 Midtown pastors. Frago. Charlie. July 27, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825231423/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/baker-releases-endorsement-of-40-midtown-pastors/2331711. August 25, 2017. August 25, 2017. dead.
  30. Web site: Realtors endorse Rick Baker for St. Pete Mayor. Frago. Charlie. August 9, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825232608/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/realtors-endorse-rick-baker-for-st-pete-mayor/2333226. August 25, 2017. August 25, 2017. dead.
  31. Web site: Obama backs Kriseman in St. Petersburg mayor's race. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. August 25, 2017.
  32. News: Obama makes rare endorsement in crucial St. Petersburg race. Caputo. Marc. August 25, 2017. Politico. August 25, 2017.
  33. News: Obama backs old ally in St. Petersburg race. Bowden. John. August 25, 2017. The Hill. August 25, 2017.
  34. News: Kriseman, Baker will face off in November runoff for St. Petersburg mayor. Bergin. Mark. August 30, 2017. WTSP. August 30, 2017. en-US.
  35. Web site: St. Pete mayoral primary: Kriseman, Baker headed to runoff. Frago. Charlie. Graves. Allison. August 29, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. August 30, 2017.
  36. News: Mayor Rick Kriseman pulls off unexpected win in St. Pete City primary. Rivera. Mark. August 30, 2017. WTSP. August 30, 2017. en-US.
  37. Web site: Hurricane Irma leaves St. Pete mayor's race on hold -- for now. Frago. Charlie. September 12, 2017. Tampa Bay Times. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20170916154024/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/st-pete-mayors-race-idles-during-hurricane-irma/2337199. September 16, 2017. September 16, 2017. dead.

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