Former state Rep. Rick Kriseman is "seriously considering" a bid for St. Pete mayor listen

Tags: Rick Kriseman, Bill Foster, Ken Welch, Kathleen Ford, St. Pete

Rick Kriseman.

photo by Sean Kinane, WMNF News (2010)

Former state Representative Rick Kriseman’s lips have been sealed about speculation that he may run for mayor of St. Pete this year. But now Kriseman says he is "seriously considering" it.

When Kriseman, a Democrat, announced that he wouldn’t be seeking another term in the Florida House, he said it was because he was fed up with the Republican-controlled legislature. According to state campaign finance reports, Kriseman donated all of his campaign funds to various non-profits, including this station. He could have used that money in a bid for Mayor. But even though the money would have given him a jump on fundraising, Kriseman said yesterday at an unrelated press conference in Tampa that he might put his name in the race.

“I think anyone who considers running for office there’s a number of things they consider. First and foremost is the impact of their decision on their family. So that’s something and those are discussions I’ve had with my family and I’m having with my family – talking to people in the community to gauge support and to see if, what frustrations I have – and I like Bill, he’s a nice guy – but if what frustrations I have are shared by those in the community and after I have a chance to do that I’ll make my final decision and I’ll let everyone know what I’m doing.”

Kriseman has until July to register for the August primary if he is going to run. So far, no other candidates have announced a mayoral bid, but there is speculation that former city council member Kathleen Ford or Pinellas County commissioner Ken Welch may run to unseat Mayor Bill Foster.