The primary may be a year out — and we've got those 2018 midterms to surmount — but there's a good chance that Ed Turanchik's entrance into the Tampa mayor's race will heat things up.

Turanchik confirmed his run to the Tampa Bay Times Thursday after months of speculation that he would jump into the contest to replace Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who is terming out.

Earlier in the day, he had sent an email to local media outlets inviting them to cover his filing for "Tampa municipal office" at the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website Friday morning at 9:45.

This would make for Turanchik's second run for mayor.

He ran in 2011, but didn't make it out of the crowded primary, which included former Mayor Dick Greco and former Tampa Councilman/Hillsborough County Commissioner Thomas Scott, among others.

Back then, his progressivism, his passion for rethinking transit in Tampa Bay and his desire to think big landed him CL's endorsement.

But it was Bob Buckhorn and former County Commissioner Rose Ferlita who were the top vote-getters. Buckhorn, of course, won, and was essentially unopposed for reelection in 2015.

Turanchik will likely face another crowded candidate roster. Thus far, Christopher "Topher" Morrison and Michael Anthony Hazard are the only two candidates who have filed to run for mayor in 2019.

Among those who are believed to be considering a run are councilmen Harry Cohen and Mike Suarez as well as former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor. Philanthropist David A. Straz is also a likely candidate.

This article appears in Feb 1-8, 2018.