There's going to be a crowded ballot to become the next mayor of Tampa. Eight people qualified to run by the Friday afternoon deadline.
The candidates will on March 5 to replace Bob Buckhorn, who's term-limited from running again.
Some polls have former Police Chief Jane Castor in the lead. But she's trailing in the amount of money contributed to businessman and philanthropist David Straz. Campaign reports have him with $1.6 million in the bank, followed by Castor and former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ed Turanchik, each with around $208,000.
Rounding out the money list are City Council members Harry Cohen and Mike Suarez, businessman Topher Morrison, and retired Judge Dick Greco Jr., son of the former mayor.
Reginald Howard qualified, but won't be on the ballot, according to Geri Kramer of the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections office. Howard and community activist LaVaughn King - who has been at many of the debates - could not raise the $9,644 needed to qualify.
Early voting starts Feb. 25th at seven locations around Tampa.
