Bob Buckhorn will become Tampa’s next mayor, having defeated challenger Rose Ferlita by a wide margin. “Let’s build this city,” Buckhorn told supporters following the win. “Let’s make us proud. This is our time. This is our turn. This is our destiny. Let us begin now.”
As of Tuesday night, Buckhorn led Ferlita 63 percent to 37 percent, a decisive enough margin that Ferlita conceded by 8:15, only an hour after polls closed.
“We worked hard,” said a defeated Ferlita. “We didn’t get there. But Jesus, Lord, we tried like hell.”
The run-off vote follows the general election in which Ferlita finished first and Buckhorn second in a five-candidate race. Since neither candidate finished with a majority, law required an automatic runoff. Surprisingly, former four-term Mayor Dick Greco finished third, forcing him out of the race.
The campaign was overshadowed by a stretch of tough campaigning following a March 9 televised debate between the candidates. Despite both candidates declining to criticize popular outgoing mayor Pam Iorio, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits, they vigorously took jabs at each other.
Criticizing Buckhorn’s perceived lack of business experience, Ferlita said, “Tell me why you feel qualified, with the experience you’ve had, to be CEO of the city of Tampa.” In response, Buckhorn cited his experience as an aid to former Mayor Sandy Freeman and as City Councilman, and pressed Ferlita on her specific proposals, which he found vague.
Perceived negative campaigning inspired Mayor Pam Iorio to endorse Buckhorn, saying, “The negative turn of the campaign by Bob’s opponent causes me great concern. I have always deplored negative campaigning and believe that it reflects on how one would govern. I know that it takes positive and steady leadership every single day to properly lead this city. Bob has demonstrated those attributes and will calmly and thoughtfully lead this city forward.”
Iorio responded to a mailer linked to a Ferlita supporter that claimed “Tampa voters have rejected Buckhorn three times . . . now he wants to be mayor of Tampa.”
Buckhorn also received endorsements from former opposing candidates Ed Turanchik and Tom Scott.
However, Ferlita found herself at the brunt of a scurrilous attack mailer, which described her as, “Unsure. Unmarried. Unelectable.” The flip-side of the ad criticized Ferlita for being an unmarried woman, reading: “Rose Ferlita has put her political ambition first and foremost, while her opponent is a dedicated family man with two children—Ferlita is an unmarried woman with a suspect commitment to family values.”
Voter turnout on Tuesday was surprisingly low, even surprising election officials. By late afternoon, only 9 percent of registered Tampa voters had cast ballots. Even though this number does not include mail-in ballots and early voting, the turnout stands abysmally low.
“I was extremely disappointed in the low voter turnout for this election,” said Senior Claire Blanchard. “My usually bustling voter precinct was empty except for a chatty eye, ear, and throat doctor. I think this reflects voter apathy towards the remaining candidates and their often mean-spirited campaigns against each other.”
UT students apparently contributed to the meager turnout. Students around Vaughn Center were not available with comments on the election.
Buckhorn will take office April 1.
Micheal Angelo Rumore can be reached at Michealangelorumore@gmail.com.