NewsTampa Bay TimesOctober 30, 2026Hillsborough County
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch sues political operative Peter Schorsch for defamation over deleted affair post
Photo: Tampa Bay Times
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch filed a defamation lawsuit against political operative Peter Schorsch on Thursday in Pinellas County Circuit Court, demanding a jury trial and damages exceeding $50,000 over a since-deleted Facebook post alleging an extramarital affair. The lawsuit comes days before Tuesday's mayoral election, in which Welch faces reelection opponent Charlie Crist. Schorsch, who works for Crist's campaign, defended the post as free speech and criticized the timing of the litigation.
Read the full story at Tampa Bay TimesWhy It Matters
The lawsuit injects personal litigation into the final days of a mayoral race where the incumbent trails his opponent by 14 percentage points.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
PersonKen Welch“St. Petersburg mayor suing Peter Schorsch for defamation”locationFlorida“State referenced in anti-SLAPP laws and gubernatorial races”locationTampa Bay“Geographic region for voter guides and news”PersonByron Donalds“Governor candidate mentioned in context bundle”OrganizationCreative Loafing Tampa“Publication where Schorsch commented about having multiple sources”PersonCharlie Crist“Mayoral candidate whose campaign employs Schorsch and Schorsch's wife”OrganizationSt. Pete Shines“Political committee that paid close to $1 million to businesses owned by the Sch”locationPinellas County Circuit Court“Jurisdiction where the defamation complaint was filed on Thursday”OrganizationFlorida Politics“Website used by Schorsch to criticize Welch”PersonRobert Persante“Attorney who sent a retraction demand letter and spoke on behalf of Welch”PersonMichelle Todd Schorsch“Chairperson of St. Pete Shines raising money for Charlie Crist”PersonDavid Jolly“Governor candidate mentioned in context bundle”PersonStephanie Owens“Ran Welch's 2021 campaign and served as deputy mayor”PersonPeter Schorsch“Political operative sued for defamation over a social media post”OrganizationTampa Bay Times“Newspaper publishing the article and interviewing sources”locationSt. Petersburg“City holding the mayoral election”