[1][2] Welch, a third-generation St. Petersburg resident, grew up in the Gas Plant District, which was repurposed to build Tropicana Field.

[6] The Tampa Bay Times criticized him in 2018 for lobbying on behalf of his wife after she was fired from a publicly funded faith-based reading program.

[8] Although the Times called the move an "obvious conflict of interest", Welch was "unrepentant" and insisted he was simply defending his wife.

[14] He announced the cancellation of a previous request for proposals (RFP) for the Tropicana Field site where the Tampa Bay Rays play.

The cancelled project would have included residential development, a hotel, and a Moffitt Cancer Center campus to downtown St.

“This was a strategic decision based on community benefit, shared priorities and the significant value of the subject city land,” Welch said.

[21] In September 2024, the city announced developer Third Lake Partners was awarded a contract to purchase the site below appraised value for "condos, offices, shops and hotel space", despite the project having no affordable or workforce housing component at all.

The event was to be circus themed, titled "Under the Big Top", prompting third party accusations of racism and inappropriateness, as Welch is St. Petersburg's first Black mayor.

“In the case of the statement of our former Comms Director and her resignation letter, there were no complaints filed, nor was I informed of a problem until the day before that letter was sent to the city.”[36] A Tampa Bay Times review of City Hall key card swipes found that during his first eight months as Mayor, Welch was in his office only 34% of total workdays, excluding weekends and holidays.

“Every waking moment I’m working for this city.”[37] In July 2024, Welch authorized $250,000 of bonus money to be given to 17 high ranking city employees for their role in the negotiations for a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.

"[38][39][40][41][42][43] In September 2024, Florida’s Division of Elections informed Welch's Political Action Committee, Pelican PAC, that it was being closed due to regulatory violations.

[50][51] “My honest opinion is the mayor of St. Pete has failed us,” said Kevin Batdorf, president of the Shore Acres Civic Association.

They just didn’t.”[52] Neighbors created t-shirts, stickers, and magnets with the "Welch Pile" moniker, selling them through a variety of outlets.