2-minute voting guide: Tampa City Council election
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Early voting begins this week in the runoff election to succeed the late Gwen Henderson in District 5 of Tampa's City Council.
Why it matters: Some 45,000 residents in the district have gone more than a hundred days without direct representation, their seat vacant during votes on next year's budget and a controversial 250-foot Ferris wheel.
Context: The winner will represent a large district that encompasses much of the city's urban core, including downtown, the Channel District and Ybor City.
- The election is Oct. 28.
- Only residents of the district are eligible to vote.
Driving the news: Former council member Thomas Scott and political newcomer Naya Young are vying for the seat after coming out on top in last month's special election.
- Scott and Young are both Democrats, and each has listed economic development and affordable housing as their top priorities.
Zoom in: Where the candidates differ most is in experience and fundraising.
- Scott is a former Hillsborough commissioner and three-time chair of the Tampa City Council, while Young leads the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association and is the self-described "grassroots" candidate.
- Scott has raised more than $61,000 and has spent about $53,000 on the race. Young, meanwhile, has brought in about $31,000 and has had more individual donors, per Creative Loafing.
Between the lines: Donors in real estate, construction and development have favored Scott, while Young's support has come largely from educators.
- Scott garnered endorsements from Sheriff Chad Chronister, former state Sen. Janet Cruz and the West Central Florida Labor Council, among others.
- Young is endorsed by advocacy organizations Florida Rising and Florida for All, as well as the Hillsborough County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, among others.
Flashback: Scott captured about 27% of the vote in the special election; Young received around 13%.
How it works: Early voting runs Thursday through Sunday at the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library; Frederick B. Karl County Center; Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center; and West Tampa Branch Library.
- Voters can cast their ballots early at any of those locations from 10am to 6pm.
- On Oct. 28, voters must go to the polling place assigned to their precinct. You can find that here.