St. Petersburg City Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz is throwing her weight behind former Gov. Charlie Crist in his bid for St. Petersburg Mayor against incumbent Ken Welch.
Hanewicz said her decision to support Crist is rooted in her experience serving the residents of St. Pete.
“Serving on City Council for the past five years has given me a close view of the challenges ahead from infrastructure and flooding to affordability, housing and significant financial pressures. I have also listened to residents across our community,” Hanewicz said.
“Charlie brings extensive experience at the local, state, and federal levels, along with relationships that can benefit St. Petersburg as we seek partners to address our city’s major needs. I value his focus on affordability, fiscal responsibility, and finding efficiencies in government, as well as his willingness to work across differences.”
Hanewicz was first elected to the City Council in 2021, and she was re-elected to a second term this year without opposition. In her endorsement, she hinted at troubled relationships between Welch’s Office and City Council.
“Having served both as a state legislator and as governor, Charlie understands the importance of a productive relationship between the executive and legislative branches, even when there are different perspectives. I will continue to evaluate the budgets, policies and proposals before City Council based on facts, our city’s financial needs and what I believe is best for St. Petersburg and its residents,” Hanewicz added.
Hanewicz is a former Assistant State Attorney in Pinellas County. She also previously worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida.
Hanewicz is the second sitting member of St. Pete City Council to back Crist, following a previous nod from Council Member Gina Driscoll.
Crist also recently earned support from former City Council Member Ed Montanari, and he has support from three of the four living former St. Pete Mayors — Bob Ulrich, Rick Baker, and Bill Foster. The other, Rick Kriseman, has not endorsed a candidate.
Additionally, Crist earned support from two of his four previous opponents in the Mayor’s race. Businessman Kevin Batdorf and jail administrator Maria Scruggs each offered their support after the Primary last month. City Council Member Brandi Gabbard has not endorsed a candidate in the runoff and former Fire Chief Jim Large declined to endorse a former opponent.
“I am honored to have earned Lisset’s support in this critical race. As a former prosecutor and current City Council member, Councilmember Hanewicz has the professional and civic experience to recognize when change is needed, and it’s humbling that she has placed her trust in me to deliver that change,” said Crist. “With Lisset’s help on City Council, I am confident we can deliver the results St. Pete residents deserve, but have been missing the past nearly five years as City Hall has remained stuck on pause. I look forward to working with Lisset and the entire City Council to ensure all St. Pete residents have a city they can afford to live in, the amenities they need to ensure positive quality of life, and the services they deserve to keep their families safe, happy and healthy.”
Crist is the far-and-away front-runner in the race, both in polling and in fundraising.
A recent poll — the first since the Aug. 18 Primary, which concluded with Crist finishing nearly 15 percentage points ahead of Welch — showed Crist with 52% support in the General Election against Welch, who garnered just 27% support in the survey.
Meanwhile, Crist has a significant cash advantage. As of Aug. 28, the most recent date for which reports are available, Crist maintained about $390,000 on-hand, while Welch retained less than $25,000. Crist has outraised Welch in every reporting period since campaigning began.
Crist’s polling has continuously improved since March, while Welch’s has generally declined. Welch polled at 31% support in a head-to-head against Crist in March, with his strongest showing in late June at 32% support. Welch’s current 27% is his lowest yet. Crist, meanwhile, polled at 36% support in March, jumping to 40% in June, 44% in mid-July, 45% in late July, and now 52%.
The General Election is Nov. 3.
Written by Florida Politics staff