2017 St. Petersburg, Florida mayoral election

The 2017 St. Petersburg, Florida mayoral election was held on August 29 and November 7, 2017, to elect the next mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, in a general election, 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.

2017 St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral election

August 29, 2017 (first-round) November 7, 2017 (runoff)

Candidate Rick Kriseman Rick Baker Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan First-round vote 27,322 27,253 First-round percentage 48.36% 48.23% Second-round vote 34,531 32,341 Second-round percentage 51% 49%

Mayor before election Rick Kriseman Democratic Elected Mayor Rick Kriseman Democratic

Incumbent Rick Kriseman won the 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][12] In May 2017, former St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker filed for re-election,[11][13] and Ernisa Barnwell.[12][14] In June 2017, activist Theresa Lassiter announced her bid for mayoral office.[14][15]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Kriseman	Rick Baker	Anthony Cates	Jesse Nevel	Paul Congemi	Theresa Lassiter	Ernisa Barnwell	Undecided
St. Pete Polls	June 28, 2016	620	±3.9%	36.1%	37.3%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	26.6%
St. Pete Polls	December 12, 2016	1,100	±3.0%	35.1%	43.8%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	21.1%
St. Pete Polls	January 30, 2017	892	±3.3%	37.3%	46.5%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	16.3%
St. Pete Polls	May 16, 2017	1,237	±2.8%	33.2%	46.4%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	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.[8][9] Baker aimed to win voters with his past management reputation, rebuilding the Sundial, and the Major League Soccer bid for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.[11][13] Minor candidates such as Nevel and Lassiter vowed to focus on poverty and on St. Petersburg's southern historical black community.[10][15]

Upon announcement of his re-election bid, Kriseman received endorsements from congressman Charlie Crist, U.S. senator Bill Nelson,[8] 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 source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Kriseman	Rick Baker	Anthony Cates	Jesse Nevel	Paul Congemi	Theresa Lassiter	Ernisa Barnwell	Undecided
St. Pete Polls	June 27, 2017	754	±3.6%	38.8%	43.5%	2.0%	2.1%	1.7%	3.0%	0%	8.9%
St. Pete Polls	July 17, 2017	1,011	±3.1%	37.7%	45.7%	1.7%	1.4%	2.8%	3.1%	N/A	7.6%
St. Pete Polls	August 7, 2017	862	±3.3%	39.3%	45.7%	1.4%	1.6%	3.9%	2.7%	N/A	5.3%
St. Pete Polls	August 23, 2017	1,524	±2.5%	40.3%	46.7%	0.8%	2.0%	2.4%	1.8%	N/A	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][35] 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.[34][36] Kriseman's win in the actual primary vote was unexpected,[34] 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;[34] at his post-election party, Baker had also given a speech claiming prematurely that he had won the primary as well.[34]

Primary election results[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Rick Kriseman	27,322	48.36
	Nonpartisan	Rick Baker	27,253	48.23
	Nonpartisan	Jesse Nevel	944	1.67
	Nonpartisan	Theresa Lassiter	408	0.72
	Nonpartisan	Anthony Cates III	387	0.68
	Nonpartisan	Paul Congemi	187	0.33
Total votes			56,501	99.99

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.[38]

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Rick Kriseman	34,531	51%
	Nonpartisan	Rick Baker	32,341	49%
Total votes			66,872	—

References

1. Salomone, Julie (7 November 2017). "Rick Kriseman wins re-election for mayor of Saint Petersburg". WFTS Tampa Bay. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
2. "St. Petersburg Primary". Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. August 29, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
3. Puente, Mark; Cox, John Woodrow (November 5, 2013). "Rick Kriseman tops Bill Foster in St. Petersburg mayor's race". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
4. Staff (November 5, 2013). "Kriseman defeats Foster in St. Pete mayor's race". Tampa Bay Online. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
5. Puente, Mark; Stanley, Kameel (January 2, 2014). "St. Petersburg swears in Mayor Rick Kriseman with showy outdoor ceremony". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
6. Staff (January 2, 2014). "Rick Kriseman sworn in as St. Pete mayor". WFTS. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
7. Frago, Charlie (December 28, 2016). "Perennial candidate throws his hat into ring for St. Pete Mayor". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
8. Frago, Charlie (January 5, 2017). "St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman files for re-election". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
9. Irwin, Janelle (January 5, 2017). "Rick Kriseman files for re-election as St. Pete mayor". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
10. Bradshaw, Kate (May 8, 2017). "Social justice activist Jesse Nevel steps into St. Pete Mayor's race, will challenge Kriseman from the left". Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
11. Frago, Charlie (May 8, 2017). "It's Rick vs. Rick: Former mayor Rick Baker will challenge incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
12. "(2017) Election – Candidates" (PDF). City of St. Petersburg. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
13. Bergin, Mark (May 9, 2017). "'Battle of the Ricks': Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker announces run for old office". WTSP. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
14. Frago, Charlie (June 26, 2017). "Do you need to vote in city elections to run for mayor of St. Petersburg? Jesse Nevel says no". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
15. Frago, Charlie (June 7, 2017). ""Momma Tee" Lassiter jumps into St. Petersburg's mayoral race". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
16. Frago, Charlie (June 23, 2017). "St. Petersburg qualifying ends. Seven for mayor. Eight in primary for City Council District 6 seat". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
17. "2017 Election Candidates". St. Pete Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
18. Bradshaw, Kate (May 12, 2017). "As Battle of the Ricks heats up, Police Benevolent Association endorses Kriseman". Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
19. Frago, Charlie (March 22, 2017). "Kriseman nets council endorsements". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
20. Axelbank, Evan (June 27, 2017). "Kriseman, Baker debate in St. Pete town hall". Fox 13. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
21. Frago, Charlie; Moore, Waveney Ann (June 28, 2017). "St. Petersburg showdown: Kriseman and Baker pull no punches in first forum". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
22. Frago, Charlie (July 10, 2017). "Barnwell disqualified from St. Pete mayor's race". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
23. Frago, Charlie (July 11, 2017). "Video: St. Pete mayoral debate marred by Uhuru protest, ended in shoving match". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
24. Frago, Charlie (July 19, 2017). "Paul Congemi's 'Go Back to Africa' rant goes viral after St. Pete mayoral forum". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
25. Jr, Cleve R. Wootson (July 19, 2017). "Fla. mayoral candidate had a message for activists who want reparations: 'Go back to Africa'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
26. Frago, Charlie (August 9, 2017). "Ernisa Barnwell loses her bid to get back on ballot in St. Pete mayor's race". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
27. Sickler, Michael Van (July 28, 2017). "TBT editorial board recommends Rick Baker in St. Pete mayoral race". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
28. Bradshaw, Kate (July 28, 2017). "Color us shocked! The Tampa Bay Times finally "recommends" Rick Baker in St. Pete mayor's race". Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
29. Frago, Charlie (July 27, 2017). "Rick Baker releases endorsement of 40 Midtown pastors". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
30. Frago, Charlie (August 9, 2017). "Realtors endorse Rick Baker for St. Pete Mayor". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
31. "Obama backs Kriseman in St. Petersburg mayor's race". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
32. Caputo, Marc (August 25, 2017). "Obama makes rare endorsement in crucial St. Petersburg race". Politico. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
33. Bowden, John (August 25, 2017). "Obama backs old ally in St. Petersburg race". TheHill. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
34. Rivera, Mark (August 30, 2017). "Mayor Rick Kriseman pulls off unexpected win in St. Pete City primary". WTSP. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
35. Bergin, Mark (August 30, 2017). "Kriseman, Baker will face off in November runoff for St. Petersburg mayor". WTSP. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
36. Frago, Charlie; Graves, Allison (August 29, 2017). "St. Pete mayoral primary: Kriseman, Baker headed to runoff". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
37. "St. Petersburg Primary Election". Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. August 30, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
38. Frago, Charlie (September 12, 2017). "Hurricane Irma leaves St. Pete mayor's race on hold -- for now". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2017.