UPDATE:
There will be a runoff in Tampa's District 5 city council race. Thomas Scott will face off against Naya Young on Oct. 28.
Scott is a former council and Hillsborough County Commission member. He drew 27% of the vote in Tuesday's special election.
Young, who works for the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, picked up just over 13%. The winner needed to receive 50%.
The winner will serve the remainder of the term of Gwen Henderson, who died in June.
Numbers from the Hilslborough County Supervisor of Elections said voter turnout came in at about 12%.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
In-person voting takes place Tuesday for a special election to fill the Tampa City Council District 5 seat.
It was held by Gwen Henderson, who was elected in 2023 and died suddenly in June at age 60.
District 5 is centered in east Tampa but includes fast-growing areas of downtown, Channelside and Ybor City.
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 15 months.
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.
A runoff election will be held if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. Early voting would run from Oct. 23-26, with the polls open on Oct. 28.
Here's the list of candidates:
- Audette Bruce
- Juawana Colbert
- Albert Cooke
- Ariel Amirah Danley
- Thomas DeGeorge Jr
- Darrell Ashley Dudney
- Alison A. Hewitt
- Elvis Piggott
- Thomas Scott
- Fran M. Tate
- Jose N. Vazquez Figueroa
- Carroll "Carrie" West
- Melony Williams
Polls close open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Results will be posted here.
WUSF staff writer Steve Newborn contributed to this report.
