ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Welcome to 9 Questions with…, a new regular feature in which we’ll get to know some of the Bay area’s movers and shakers a little better. It could be a politician, an artist, a first responder, a bartender—just about anyone, really. This week’s subject is Pinellas County Commissioner and St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Ken Welch. Is there someone you’d like to answer 9 Questions? Let us know!

Are you a Tampa Bay native? If not, where are you from? 

Yes, I’m in the third generation of my family to call St. Petersburg home. 

How would you describe your job or claim to fame? 

Public service is natural to me. I’ve always been vocal on community issues, as was my father, David, who served three terms on the St. Petersburg City Council. 

What’s your favorite Tampa Bay restaurant?

Our daughters make that call—Chattaway, Crabby Bill's, Chief’s Creole Cafe and Parkshore Grill. 

Do you have a personal Tampa Bay “secret spot” and/or “hidden treasure”? 

The Pinellas Trail and interconnected city trails, especially along our waterfronts. 

What is your favorite Tampa Bay tradition?  

There are two — St. Pete’s MLK Day Parade and Bert’s Harley-Davidson’s Christmas Toy Run. 

What’s one thing many people don’t know about you that you’re willing to share with us? 

I ride a Harley, play guitar, had both ears pierced in college and played left tackle for the 1980 Pinellas County Champion Lakewood Spartans. #Spartans4Life

If you could change one thing about the Tampa Bay area or your community specifically, what would it be? 

Reducing our vulnerability to sea level rise and extreme weather.

What made you decide to run for mayor this year? 

I believe that my hometown is at a crossroads. We are facing critical and connected issues including development, sustainability, quality of life, affordability, public health and safety. The decisions that we make in the next few years — from pandemic recovery to Trop development, safe neighborhoods, infrastructure and growth planning — will have impacts for generations to come, and must be guided by inclusive, unifying leadership. 

You’ve spoken about such local issues as inequality, crime and affordable housing as “linked,” symptoms of larger overarching problems. As mayor, how would you work to make St. Petersburg a more unified and egalitarian community? 

We have already begun this process. I led the county effort to address the impacts of poverty, including negative public safety, education, health and economic outcomes, by creating a CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) with long-term funding to build the economic capacity and self-sufficiency of those locked into generational poverty. The linkage to our courts, jails, social services and health facilities is well documented. I have and will utilize the same holistic approach to the issues of jobs, transportation, housing and sustainability, among other issues.