Kemp chats with a supporter as the returns come in. Credit: Anthony Martino

Kemp chats with a supporter as the returns come in. Credit: Anthony Martino
It's calm in the cantina of Ybor City's Italian Club. There’s a Trump party happening across the street at the Due Amici pizzeria, but Pat Kemp supporters are more focused on the outcome of their candidate’s race to replace outgoing Hillsborough County Kevin Beckner. Her oldest brother, Steve Kemp, tells CL he’s proud of his sister. Kemp herself, who will likely win this race, is upbeat and energized.

“I’m excited,” she told CL with a huge smile on her face, “I’m humbled by the voter support and I know the people in Hillsborough County are excited about working towards good change in our transit.”

She also says she’s ready to work toward more renewable energy options and better environmental protections.

The tube has confirmed a Rubio win. It’s subdued in the room, and the general election race is looking even less predictable than it looked earlier.

This article appears in Nov 3-10, 2016.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...