If Ken Welch decides to run for mayor of St. Petersburg, he would have to step down from his District 7 County Commission seat. According to Welch, his advisers have told him he would have to announce his resignation from the seat by the time of qualifying this coming summer.

He'd be able to remain in office while campaigning for mayor, he said, but regardless of whether he won or lost would be out of his commission job in January 2010 when the new mayor is sworn in. The governor would then appoint a replacement to fill out the rest of Welch's four-year term. District 7 would be up for election in 2012.

The governor's appointment would have to live in District 7. Welch said St. Petersburg City Council member and mayoral contender Jamie Bennett fits the bill, but he sees Rene Flowers as a natural choice. Flowers, a former St. Petersburg City Council member, lost a bid in November for the County Commission seat now held by Nancy Bostock.

"I think Rene Flowers would be the logical one," Welch said. "We've worked a lot together, and she understands the district."

Will Van Sant, Times Staff Writer

*