Mayor Rick Kriseman is pulling out all the stops in the final hours before voters head to the polls Tuesday to determine whether he will get another term as St. Petersburg’s top elected official.
“We’re grateful for all of the support we’ve received so far – from President Obama, Senator Bill Nelson, Congressman Charlie Crist, and so many others. In these last few hours, we’re focused on speaking with as many supporters as possible and making sure everyone gets out to vote. We’ll be having conversations with folks about the progress we’ve made and the future of our city every minute until the polls close.” Kriseman said.
Kriseman spent his morning waving signs with supporters, and casting his ballot at the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office. The incumbent mayor also dropped by several local shops and restaurants for face time with voters.
The afternoon saw Democratic state Rep. Ben Diamond pitch in at a pep talk to volunteers helping out with Kriseman’s get-out-the-vote efforts.
Six mayoral candidates will be on the ballot Aug. 29, and if no candidate gets more than half the vote a runoff election between the top two finishers will be on the November ballot. Kriseman and former mayor Rick Baker will most likely make the cut.
A recent survey from St. Pete Polls shows Baker with nearly 47 percent support compared to 40 percent for Kriseman. About half of those surveyed in the poll said they had already voted.