Former Florida governor Charlie Crist announced Monday that he is entering the race for mayor of St. Petersburg, marking another campaign following decades in state and federal office, as reported [1] by Fox News.
“Well, it’s official. I’m now a candidate for mayor of St. Pete. God bless you all,” Crist said in a video posted to X. The post also included the message, “I’m in! #stpete.”
I’m in!#stpete [2] pic.twitter.com/wghRis2ySk [3]
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) April 27, 2026 [4]
Crist outlined his reasons for entering the race in a statement published on his campaign website, citing his previous roles in public office and his focus on local issues.
“I’ve fought for the City of St. Petersburg in the Legislature, as Education Commissioner, Attorney General, and Governor, and as a United States Representative. Now I’m taking that fight back home, to City Hall, where the city government is failing to address issues that matter most to YOU, my neighbors,” Crist said.
Crist served as governor of Florida from early 2007 until early 2011 after being elected as a Republican. His political trajectory has included multiple party affiliations over time. In 2010, he ran for the U.S. Senate as an independent candidate after leaving the Republican Party but was unsuccessful in that race.
He later ran for governor again in 2014 as a Democrat but did not win that contest. Crist continued his political career in Congress, serving as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from early 2017 until August 2022.
His most recent statewide campaign came in 2022, when he sought the governorship once again. In that race, he faced incumbent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who won by a wide margin.
Crist’s mayoral bid returns him to local politics in St. Petersburg, a city he has referenced frequently during his political career. His campaign messaging focuses on local governance and addressing concerns raised by residents.
BACK IN THE RING: Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is running for mayor of St. Pete https://t.co/8oESim5pNI [5]
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) April 28, 2026 [6]
The St. Petersburg mayoral race is expected to draw attention given Crist’s name recognition and long tenure in public office across multiple levels of government. His experience includes roles in the Florida Legislature, as the state’s Education Commissioner, Attorney General, governor, and later as a member of Congress.
Crist’s announcement comes as he seeks to transition from statewide and national roles back to municipal leadership. His campaign materials emphasize his past service and position his candidacy as an effort to address issues within the city government.
No further details about the timeline of the mayoral race or potential opponents were included in the announcement.