Kelly Hayes
St. Petersburg Mayor-elect Ken Welch has been invited to participate in a seminar for newly elected mayors hosted by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.
The event, in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2021.
“I am honored to be invited, and I look forward to meeting other new mayors from around the country,’’ Welch said in a statement.
The former Pinellas County Commissioner won the mayoral seat in the city’s municipal elections Nov. 2. He will become the city’s first Black Mayor and replace incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman, who is leaving office because of term limits.
“This is an excellent opportunity to learn from my peers and from Harvard policy experts more about issues we are all facing, and to hear more about what has worked and what hasn’t in other cities,” Welch continued in his statement. “We have our own exciting story to tell about St. Petersburg’s success in creating a vibrant city, and I’m eager to exchange ideas with other incoming mayors about effectively meeting common challenges such as adding affordable housing, addressing climate change and keeping our communities safe.”
The Institute of Politics has joined with the Conference of Mayors to offer the seminar for newly elected mayors since 1975. The seminar focuses on best practices with policy research from Harvard policy experts in interactive sessions.
This year, the seminar will address relevant issues such as the challenges of managing a city during the pandemic, leading during a crisis, jobs and economic development and public safety.
Welch will be inaugurated Jan. 6 after besting City Council member Robert Blackmon with 60% of the vote to Blackmon’s 40%.
