Four Tampa City Council races appear to be headed for runoffs

Districts 1, 2 3, and 6 are all still up for grabs.

click to enlarge District 3 incumbent Lynn Hurtak, who's headed for a runoff against Janet Cruz. - Photo by Dave Decker
Photo by Dave Decker
District 3 incumbent Lynn Hurtak, who's headed for a runoff against Janet Cruz.
Tampeños should get ready to vote again on April 25.

With all precincts reporting in the unofficial 2023 municipal election results, it looks like Tampa City Council races in Districts 1, 2 3, and 6 are all headed to runoffs.

Results are all unofficial and will be certified on Thursday, but here’s what Creative Loafing Tampa Bay anticipates happening in the runoff.
In District 1, Alan Clendenin (40.33%) and Sonja P. Brookins (22.47%) will face off, with incumbent Joe Citro sitting out after earning just 20.10% of the vote.

District 2 sees Guido Maniscalco (46.98%) and Robin Lockett (24.77%) going head-to-head.

Tampa City Council’s District 3 race was easily the most watched and saw incumbent Lynn Hurtak take 45.52% of the vote compared to the 38.75% earned by her challenger Janet Cruz, the ousted State Senator who was voted out of Tallahassee last fall.

While forever Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda (49.39%) hovered above the threshold to require a runoff in his District 6 race, challenger Hoyt Prindle earned 21.59% to set up the runoff.

Only 75 votes separate Gwen Henderson (50.31%) and District 5 incumbent Orlando Gudes (48.86%).

A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay “the canvassing board will determine whether a recount is required based on the first unofficial results certified thurs night.”

District 4’s race was easily won by incumbent Bill Carlson.

Sadly, only 13.64% of eligible voters turned out for the election.

Early voting for the 2023 City of Tampa Municipal Election Runoff happens April 17-23 at select sites from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The deadline to register to vote in the runoff (if not already registered) is March 27.

The nonpartisan Tampa Tiger Bay Club will hold a runoff election forum at noon on Friday, March 17 at the Cuban Club in Ybor City.

This is a developing post.