Early voting for a special election for the Tampa City Council District 5 seat began Thursday.
The Sept. 9 election is for the seat once held by Gwen Henderson, who died suddenly in June. Early voting is being held through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at four locations in Tampa:
- C Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library
- Fred B. Karl County Center
- Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center
- West Tampa Branch Library
District 5 is centered in east Tampa but includes fast-growing areas of downtown and Channelside. It has attracted a lot of interest as 13 candidates will appear on the ballot, with another as a write-in. The winner will serve the rest of Henderson's term — for the next fifteen months.
ALSO READ: Special election set to fill the late Gwen Henderson's District 5 seat on Tampa City Council
The most familiar name running is Pastor Tom Scott, who was elected to the seat back in 2007. He has also raised the most money at more than $42,000.
Also running is Henderson's daughter, Ariel Danley.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held Oct. 28.
Here's the list of candidates:
