For Bob Buckhorn, the race is on to be ready on April 1

When discussing that new council, with includes new Democrats Mike Suarez, Harry Cohen and Lisa Montelione to join the existing group, Buckhorn said it was another reason that those who care about Tampa city government should be excited about the changes happening. "It's time to build on that, and get it to the next level, and I think some of these council members are excited, they're going to bring some new blood to the table. I’ve sat there in that seat, so I know what that job is all about, and I intend to include them as much as possible in that process."

For her part, Iorio said that she obviously knows what a tremendous learning curve Buckhorn is now going under, having gone through the same process some eight years ago.  "It's an avalanche at first, a huge enormous intensity when you first become mayor," but she said Buckhorn's experience as a top official to Mayor Sandy Freedman in the 80's and 90's, as well as his eight years on City Council will quicken his learning curve.

But she said there obviously will be challenges. "There's going to be more cutting of City Hall, but I think that he is well equipped to go down that road, so there are  a number of things he’ll have to deal with right away." She said the thing about the mayor’s job is that "you’re always faced with challenges."

Iorio also is leaving office with one of the biggest problems she's had with constituents since elected: the continuing water bill crises, which she'll be dumping in Buckhorn's hands.  Buckhorn said it was a problem he heard a lot about from voters in the last parts of the campaign, but refused to specifically say what he would do to correct the problems.

Iorio also spoke out passionately against negative campaigning, which was led to her endorsement of Buckhorn after saying she would not do so.   You can read about that here.