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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tampa voters weigh in on District 5 city council candidates
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Friday is the final day for candidates to qualify for September's special election to fill Tampa's District 5 city council seat. The position has been vacant since the death of Councilwoman Gwen Henderson. The Tiger Bay Club of Tampa will host a moderated discussion with all qualified candidates, Friday afternoon. As of Friday morning, 14 candidates had declared their intentions to participate in the race. Richedean Hills-Ackbar is a lifelong resident of District 5 and believes there's been a void in the community since Henderson's death. 'She showed up to a lot of the local meetings, and she wasn't afraid to answer questions,' Hills-Ackbar said. Seven of the candidates participated in a forum at Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library. They laid out plans for housing, business development, and funding for the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency. Hills-Ackbar explains, 'It's important that someone actually cares about this community, that's from this community, they actually answer and return phone calls, that their concerns are the concerns of the people here.' 'It's real hard out here, but all the elected officials get in, they talk about they're going to do something for the people, but when they get there, they don't do nothing,' describes another district 5 voter. Whoever wins the race will represent families in portions of downtown, the Channel District, Ybor City, West and East Tampa, Sulphur Springs, McKay Bay, and Palmetto Beach. 'I hope their intentions are to do their best for the community and their intentions are to serve the people of District 5. If they're not here for that, they can just keep it moving,' describes Hills-Ackbar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
District 5 city council candidates come together for forum with Tampa voters
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Candidates for Tampa's District 5 city council seat gather for a forum, Thursday. The position has been vacant since the death of Councilwoman Gwen Henderson. More than 10 candidates are in the race for the title, including Henderson's daughter, Ariel Amira Danley. 'It's important to continue the legacy and finish my mother's race and her work,' said Amira. 'I'd like to focus on smart development and affordable housing, as well as seeing all the projects that have already been voted on and in development through to completion.' Former Hillsborough County commissioner and District 5 city council member Bishop Thomas Scott is also in the running. The senior pastor at 34th Street Church of God describes, 'A depressed and stressed neighborhood would have economic development, job creation, affordable housing, you know, a safe neighborhood.' VIDEO: 200 riders take over Tampa streets driving 'recklessly,' blocking traffic Hillsborough animal shelter celebrates over 150,000 pets saved Toddlers take over at Glazer Children's Museum this month Others vying for the position include consulting firm co-founder Naya Young, Juawana Colbert, a realtor who appeared on the Netflix show 'Selling Tampa,' and political newcomer Audette Bruce. 'There are also people who have been there for years, and my part is to get to know them and to hear their voice and to amplify it on the city stage, ' explains Bruce. She and the other candidates have big ideas for the area. District 5 includes 44,000 active registered voters throughout East Tampa, Palmetto Beach, Ybor City, and a portion of West Tampa. The Supervisor of Elections' office posted the following list of registered candidates: Audette Bruce Juawana Colbert Albert Cooke Ariel Amirah Danley Thomas DeGeorge Darrell Dudney Alison Hewitt Elvis Piggott Thomas Scott Fran Tate Jose Vazquez Figueroa Carroll West Melony Williams Naya Young The forum at Blythe Andrews Jr. Library is scheduled to start at 6 pm, Thursday. The special election will be held in September. If necessary, a runoff will be scheduled in October. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Orlando Gudes withdraws from Tampa City Council race over residency questions
Orlando Gudes, a former Tampa City Council member, withdrew from the race for the vacant District 5 seat late Wednesday night amid questions over his eligibility to run. County records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times show that Gudes changed his residency into the district last month, two weeks before he announced his candidacy. According to the county elections supervisor, candidates must have lived in their district 'for six months immediately preceding the commencement of their term of office.' The special election to fill the seat, which opened after the sudden death of council member Gwen Henderson last month, is set for Sept. 9, with a likely runoff in late October. Had Gudes won in either month, he would have resided in the district for fewer than five months. 'After thoughtful consultation with legal counsel, I've determined that although this matter is winnable, the financial and logistical strain of pursuing it during a condensed campaign timeline is not prudent,' Gudes said in a news release announcing his withdrawal. 'The City Clerk's interpretation of residency relies on the date a voter registration is changed—not on where one has physically lived," Gudes said in the statement. 'I, on the other hand, interpreted the Charter's residency requirement to be where a person physically lives.' He explained that he moved out of his 'personal home' after a family catastrophe and lives with his mother. He did not specify the district of either residence. Ten candidates remain in the race as of Wednesday. This is a developing story and may be updated. Check back at
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tampa City Council candidate Orlando Gudes may violate residency rules
Orlando Gudes, a former Tampa City Council member now running for the vacant District 5 seat, may not meet residency requirements to hold the office, according to county records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. A recent voter audit report from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections shows that Gudes requested to change his address from District 7 to District 5 on June 17, two weeks before he announced his candidacy. Per the county elections supervisor, candidates must have lived in their district 'for six months immediately preceding the commencement of their term of office.' The special election to fill the vacant District 5 seat, which opened after Council member Gwen Henderson died suddenly last month, is set for Sept. 9, with a likely runoff in late October. The winner will assume office immediately. If Gudes wins in either month, he will have lived in the district for fewer than five months. The candidate did not respond to multiple emails and calls for comment. Gudes' full address is protected from public disclosure because he is a former police officer. The District 5 seat serves downtown, East Tampa, Ybor City and parts of West Tampa. Henderson had more than 15 months left in her term when she died. Gerri Kramer, spokesperson for the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections, said the elections office plays a ministerial role in accepting candidate qualifying documents and does not have the authority to determine their accuracy. 'This ultimately may need to be decided by a court,' said Adam Smith, spokesperson for the City of Tampa. Gudes was originally elected to the Tampa City Council in 2019 to represent District 5. In 2020, a legislative aide — Henderson's sister — accused Gudes of making lewd remarks and creating a hostile work environment. A monthslong investigation found most of the claims to be credible, but a lawsuit filed by the aide was dismissed and the city announced a separate $200,000 settlement with her. Gudes denied the allegations, and the city agreed to pay the legal fees he incurred defending himself against the suit. In 2022, Gudes faced questions about his address. While on the council, Gudes, who said he was living in his East Tampa childhood home, received an improper tax break for a property he owned in North Tampa. Gudes requested that the homestead exemption be removed and paid the Hillsborough County Appraiser's Office more than $13,000 for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 tax years. 'Once we heard about it, we took care of the problem,' Gudes told the Tampa Bay Times in 2022. 'We took care of all the issues.' Gudes lost his bid for reelection in 2023 to Henderson. This year, Gudes is one of 11 candidates to enter the race as of July 9. The winner will serve until the next City of Tampa municipal election in 2027.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tampa City Council Member Gwen Henderson dies
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa City Council Member Gwen Henderson died of natural causes Monday night. She was 60 years old. Henderson was elected to the city council in 2023 and represented District 5, which stretches from Armenia Ave. to the Tampa Bypass Canal to the east. It includes downtown Tampa, Ybor City and neighborhoods east of I-275 and south of Busch Blvd. Tampa city leader opens 'Black English Bookstore' to honor Black history and culture She was a Tampa native, growing up in the Carver City neighborhood and graduating from Jefferson High School. She holds a degree in education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a Master of Education and Education Specialist degree in educational leadership and higher education administration from Saint Leo University. 'Gwen was always talking about her family journey: she talked with adoration about her late mother; her heroic late father who she always proudly said served in the Korean War and raised a family in Carver City; her loving sister; and her daughter who she had so much beaming pride in,' Tampa City Council Member Luis Viera said. Council member Charlie Miranda said she was a strong willed and noble person. 'She had a way of doing things and it wasn't about her way or the highway, but by doing things the right way, without going to the highway,' Miranda said. Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak said Henderson brought a lot to the table. 'I really enjoyed working with her, I loved her spirit and her energy when it came to discussion and debate and I appreciated the way she told it the way it was,' Hurtak said. Hillsborough County NAACP President Yvette Lewis said she is shocked by the loss. 'I was completely shocked… I just sat beside her at Miss Teenage Tampa pageant, and she didn't say anything,' Lewis said. In addition to her work as an educator and city council member, Henderson owned the Black English Bookstore in Tampa Heights. 'Gwen had a passion for Black History – from 1619 to today. If you wanted to see the beauty of Gwen's heart, you should stop by her dream realized – her Black English bookstore,' Viera said. 'That bookstore was about the pride she had in the journey of her family and families like hers. Gwen's life and values were intertwined in the journey of Black Tampenos.' Henderson's death will trigger a special election to fill the city council seat for the remainder of her term, which ends in 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
