Former St. Petersburg Mayors Endorsed Mallory

Trevor Mallory has received the backing of three former mayors ahead of the city council election.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a municipal building facade with arched entry and tile roof, representing St. Petersburg city politics. — Former St. Petersburg mayors Bill Foster, Rick Baker, and Rick Kriseman have endorsed Trevor Mallory for the city council seat. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Former St. Petersburg Mayors Bill Foster and Rick Baker have endorsed Trevor Mallory for the city council. Mallory has now secured the support of all three former mayors, including Rick Kriseman.

Why it matters

Endorsements from high-profile local figures often serve to consolidate support and validate a candidate's platform in competitive municipal races. Mallory seeks to gain momentum as he prepares to face his opponent in the upcoming general election.

The August primary results show Linsey Grove received 1,902 votes compared to 1,517 for Trevor Mallory in District 6. The final outcome of the race remains uncertain as the upcoming general election will be decided by voters citywide.

The players

Bill Foster

He served as the Mayor of St. Petersburg from 2010 through 2014.

Rick Baker

He served as the Mayor of St. Petersburg from 2001 through 2010.

Trevor Mallory

He is a candidate for the St. Petersburg City Council running in the general election.

Rick Kriseman

He is a former Mayor of St. Petersburg who previously provided his endorsement to Trevor Mallory.

Linsey Grove

She is the opponent facing Trevor Mallory in the November 3 General Election.

The details

Trevor Mallory also holds the endorsement of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association as he enters the general election contest. While the primary election was restricted to District 6 residents, the general election will be decided by voters across the entire city of St. Petersburg.

Rick Baker served as Mayor of St. Petersburg from 2001 through 2010.
Bill Foster served as Mayor of St. Petersburg from 2010 through 2014.
The primary election for the St. Petersburg City Council seat occurred in August 2026.
The General Election for the city council will take place on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents may argue that a surge in support from institutional figures does not reflect the preferences of the broader citywide electorate. Dissenting voices often highlight the primary vote totals as evidence that the challenger still maintains a strong localized base of support.

The outcome of this city council seat will influence future municipal regulations and the distribution of local infrastructure funding. Residents will see these political shifts manifest directly through the legislative priorities adopted by the council after the November 3 vote.

The takeaway

Voters should examine how candidate endorsements align with their own local priorities before heading to the polls. Monitoring the shift from district-specific concerns to citywide issues is essential for understanding the broader impact of this election.