[8][9] In March 2017, African People's Socialist Party activist Jesse Nevel filed for election,[10] as well as Anthony Cates II, a salesman.

[21] At the start of each campaign, Kriseman focused on the continuation of progress which included financing and construction of a new police headquarters and St. Petersburg Pier, poverty, and keeping the Tampa Bay Rays in the city.

[8][9] Baker aimed to win voters with his past management reputation, rebuilding the Sundial, and the Major League Soccer bid for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

[10][15] Upon announcement of his re-election bid, Kriseman received endorsements from congressman Charlie Crist, U.S. senator Bill Nelson,[8] the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association,[22] and four city council members in March.

[26] On the same day, the second public mayoral debate was held between both major candidates—Kriseman and Baker—and minor candidates—Nevel, Lassiter, Cates, Congemi, and Barnwell—on issues involving the economy is south St. Petersburg, the police department, and homelessness before being halted by protesters.

[42][44] Kriseman's win in the actual primary vote was unexpected,[42] since opinions polls conducted before the election showed Baker with not only a wide lead, but enough potential to win over enough voters needed to cross the more than 50 percent majority threshold;[42] at his post-election party, Baker had also given a speech claiming prematurely that he had won the primary as well.