Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says he's running again in 2027
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn at St. Leo University on April 24, 2025. (Photo from St. Leo's University)
The former mayor of Florida's third biggest city says he wants to return to finish the job.
Bob Buckhorn led Tampa from 2011 to 2019 before he was term-limited from office. Now, nearly two years away from the next election, he says he wants back in.
'Tampa has more chapters to write and to the extent that I can be helpful I will, ' Buckhorn told the Phoenix in a text message on Thursday night. 'It was a job that I loved and the opportunity to lead this city and finish the job would be an honor.'
The 66-year-old Democrat won re-election for mayor by gaining 95% of the vote in 2016, sparking speculation that he would run for Florida governor in 2018. But he announced early in 2017 that, with two teenage daughters at home, 'the timing for me and my family would be a challenge.'
There is precedent in Tampa for former mayors running again for office. Dick Greco was elected at three different times as mayor and just barely missed making a run-off for a fourth term in 2011 (losing by fewer than 400 votes to Buckhorn).
Among Buckhorn's likely opponents is Tampa City Council Bill Carlson, a noted foe of Buckhorn and sitting Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Carlson told the Phoenix that he is working on a plan and will announced his candidacy 'when the time is right.'
'The community is clearly saying they want to move on from the Castor/Buckhorn era and move toward a positive, collaborative vision that's focused on people, not buildings,' Carlson said.
The Tampa mayoral election will take place in March 2, 2027.
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