Ken Welch

Kenneth T. Welch (born August 15, 1964) is an American politician from the state of Florida. A member of the Democratic Party, Welch served on the county commission of Pinellas County, Florida. Welch is the first African-American mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Ken Welch
Mayor of St. Petersburg
Assumed office
January 6, 2022
Preceded byRick Kriseman
Personal details
Born (1964-08-15) August 15, 1964
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of South Florida (BA)
Florida A&M University (MBA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and education

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.[1][2]

Welch is a third-generation St. Petersburg resident who 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.[3]

Career

After college, Welch returned to St. Petersburg as an accountant for Florida Power Corporation.[4] 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.[5]

Welch ran for mayor of St. Petersburg in the 2021 election.[6][7] He defeated Robert Blackmon in the general election on November 2,[8] and was sworn in to the role on January 6, 2022.[9]

Personal life

Welch and his wife, Donna, have two daughters.[10]

References
  1. "Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch says he won't run for St. Petersburg mayor | Tampa Bay Times". Tampabay.com. December 6, 2010. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  2. "Ken Welch wins primary in quest for fourth County Commission term | Tampa Bay Times". Tampabay.com. August 14, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  3. "Board of County Commissioners". Pinellas County Florida. Pinellas County Florida. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. "University of South Florida St. Petersburg - Alumni Community Partners".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "County Commissioner Ken Welch announces St. Petersburg mayoral bid".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "Ken Welch announces candidacy for mayor of St. Pete". January 15, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. "Election results: Ken Welch declares victory over Robert Blackmon in St. Petersburg mayor race". November 2, 2021.
  8. "Ken Welch wins as St. Pete's first Black mayor". Tampa Bay Times. November 2, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  9. "Ken Welch sworn in as the first African American mayor in St. Pete". WFTS. January 6, 2022.
  10. "Ken Welch Throws His Hat in the Ring for St. Pete Mayor". Baynews9.com. January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
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