ST. PETERSBURG -- The Suncoast Tiger Bay mayoral forum next week is sold out.

The extended luncheon is from 11:30 to 2 p.m. at the St. Petersbug Yacht Club Wednesday.

Here's the club's event announcement:

"As St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker turns into his final lap in his eight year historical tenure as the head of the largest city in Pinellas County, no less than 9 candidates lined up to succeed him.  Stiff competition for sure.  The race is expected to see the major candidates raise and spend historical funds.  Why do they all want the job?  Is the economy so bad they can't find other work? Do they feel they have the skills to make the city's law enforcement into the dream police force many residents clamor for?  Will the city see a rare female Mayor, or will it have its first minority chief executive?  As the election draws near, will the more marginal candidates surrender to the big names on the ticket?  It won't be hard to tell what the hot election debate ticket will be in June, it will be our Tiger Bay Mayor's forum.  Be sure to register now for this extended program before it sells out faster than an Illinois governor.  Because, to be sure, with so many candidates in the running, winning the Mayor's office will be no cheap trick!"

If you don't have a ticket, you can follow the action here. We will live blog the event.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer