TAMPA | Jane Castor and David Straz will face one another in a runoff election to become Tampa’s next mayor, just over 20 percent of the city’s voters determined March 5.
Had any of the seven candidates for mayor obtained over 50 percent of the vote, Tampa would have avoided the April 23 runoff. According to unofficial returns from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, Castor received 47.99 percent of the vote and nearly won the election outright. Straz, who received the second largest result, garnered 15.47 percent of the vote.
Castor addressed supporters from her election watch party at The Vault in Tampa following the results.
“I am so grateful for the hard work and ceaseless energy that all of our supporters and volunteers have given to our campaign along the way, Castor shared. “With their selfless hours of volunteering — knocking on doors, making phone calls, or sign waving — they’ve been right by my side helping me to ensure the continued growth of our great city. These next six weeks will be an exciting sprint, and we aren’t taking anything for granted.”
On Facebook, Straz posted a photo of himself addressing supporters, writing “Thank you to all that came out, voted and supported David Straz in this election cycle. We look forward to the road to April 23rd!”
Of Tampa’s 237,752 registered voters, 48,863 cast their vote March 5 for a turnout of 20.55 percent. Castor, Tampa’s former chief of police who is openly LGBTQ, received 23,318 votes. Straz, a retired banker and philanthropist, received 7,518.
