Old Seminole Heights activist Lynn Hurtak is the newest member of the Tampa City Council, receiving four votes at Tuesday’s special council meeting.
Hurtak, 44, is the only woman on the council, and she will have to win an election next year to keep the job. She said she plans to run for reelection.
Hurtak replaces John Dingfelder, who resigned last month as part of a lawsuit settlement agreement.
A consultant for local developers sued Dingfelder in October — saying that he had abused state public record laws and threatened him at City Hall.
Hurtak thanked the council members at Tuesday's meeting, saying they know how "deeply ethical" she is.
“You are clearly, in my opinion, the most qualified individual that applied today," said council chair Guido Maniscalco, who praised Hurtak's involvement with multiple city panels.
"People may or may not agree to that, but Variance Review Board, Charter Review Commission, your (Old Seminole Heights) Neighborhood Association involvement — it makes me think of myself...on top of the support from the community.”
Twenty-three people applied for the vacant seat. Hurtak will be sworn in at Thursday's regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
