Welch, Crist Debate Storm Preparedness, Rays and Property Taxes
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist engaged in their only televised debate three weeks before the election, discussing key issues such as storm preparedness, the Rays baseball team, and property taxes.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 13, 2026 —
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist met for their only televised debate three weeks before the election. The discussion included storm preparedness, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and property taxes, according to the available summary of the event.
The summary identifies the subjects raised but does not provide details about the candidates’ positions, proposals or exchanges on any of them. It also does not say which issue received the most attention or whether Welch and Crist agreed or disagreed on specific points.
Storm preparedness was one of the topics, but no particular storm, preparation plan or response measure was identified. The Rays were also discussed; the summary does not specify what aspect of the baseball team was at issue. On property taxes, it gives no proposed changes, figures or explanation of either candidate’s position.
The debate was described as the candidates’ only televised debate before the election. The date of the debate and the election, the debate’s venue and broadcaster, and the format were not provided. The available information also does not include audience or moderator details, direct quotations, or any account of what happened after the debate.
As a result, the information establishes the timing and broad subject matter of the televised event but does not support a detailed comparison of the candidates’ views. Further specifics about their remarks and proposals were not included in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by By Colleen Wright, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
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