KEN WELCH

Top 3 Priorities, If Elected:

As Mayor, my top three priorities will be Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods,Housing Opportunities for All, and Smart Growth & Economic Development.

Hometown:St. Pete

Years in St. Pete: 57 – though I did attend FAMU for grad school

Age:  57

Current or Most Recent Non-Elected Occupation & Employer:

I was an accountant and technology administrator for Florida Power Corporation and Raymond James and an Associate Vice President for St. Petersburg College. I also served as Technology Manager for my father’s accounting firm for many years

Current or Most Recent Elected Position:

Pinellas County Commissioner, District 7

5 Past or Present Community Service Roles or Projects:

• Pinellas County Complete Count Census Committee (Chair)
• Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors – Director and 1st VP
• Petersburg College Board of Trustees
• 5000 Role Models
• United Way Board of Directors

Up to 5 Endorsements of Your Candidacy:

• S. Representative Charlie Crist
• State Representative for Florida House District 70 Michele Rayner-Goolsby
• Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman
• The Tampa Bay Times
• Pinellas Stonewall Democrats

Up to 5 Organizations You Financially Support or Are a Member or Officer of:

• NAACP St. Petersburg Branch
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated
• Florida Resurrection House Board of Directors

Family Details:

Donna Welch is my wife of 30 years,  I have two daughters Kenya 18, Keonna 27. My mother Alletha Welch is still alive and living in Sarasota, and my father David, also a lifelong St. Pete resident, is deceased.

3 Specific Actions, Policies or Programs I Can Influence, if Elected, That Will Make Life Meaningfully Better for African Americans in St. Pete:

First, Affordable Housing. My wife and I know firsthand what it’s like to work hard for the dream of homeownership. Through my experience on commission and history working with tenants, property owners, developers, and community members —  addressing housing needs makes me uniquely qualified to tackle St. Pete’s housing shortage head-on.

Next, Trop Redevelopment. As we develop our capacity in  infrastructure and housing, we must make sure that St. Pete grows responsibly. My plan for St. Pete’s future starts with smart and innovative growth principles that proactively address future problems as part of the development process.

Opportunity Agenda– a strategic model of policies, services, programs, and projects focused on providing expanded opportunities for community uplift, jobs and economic opportunity, youth empowerment, and shared progress

Lastly, Safe Communities. Many St. Petersburg residents are concerned about neighborhood safety, I will work to change that. As a lifelong resident of St. Pete, I understand that solid neighborhoods are the foundation of this City, that all residents deserve a healthy community with access to nutritious foods, exercise options, and healthcare.

I know that for our neighborhoods to thrive our next generation must also be provided opportunities beyond their front doors.