Son Of Former Tampa Mayor Seeks Father's Old Office

TAMPA, FL -- Just three months before the March 5 election, a candidate with a familiar last name has filed to run for mayor of Tampa.

Dick "Dickie" Greco Jr. , son of former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, filed his paperwork to run for mayor on Friday, a week before the qualifying period ends on Jan. 18.

Greco is a retired Hillsborough County judge who grew up in Tampa politics. His father was a member of the Tampa City Council from 1963-1966 and mayor twice, from 1967-74 and again from 1995 to 2003.

He enters a crowded field of contenders for the mayor's seat being vacated by Bob Buckhorn due to term limits.

His opponents include former County Commissioner Ed Turanchik, city council members Harry Cohen and Mike Suarez, Tampa philanthropist David Straz Jr, consultant Topher Morrison, former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, community activist LaVaughn King and small business owner Michael Hazard.

The candidates have already participated in two debates and five forums including a televised debate Wednesday hosted by Spectrum Bay News 9 at the Ybor City campus of Hillsborough Community College that quickly turned contentious.

Castor came under fire by fellow candidates for a report that showed the police department disproportionately ticketed black bicyclists in Tampa between 2009 and 2015.

King, who is black, said it wasn't only bicyclists who were targeted. While Castor was police chief, he said he was pulled over three times by Tampa police.

Castor apologized for her department Wednesday night and said she takes full responsibility. She added, however, that her department was cleared of racial profiling charges by the Department of Justice.

The candidates also weighed in on transportation, school safety and the now-defunct deal to build a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays in Ybor City.

Tampa voters will also elect new city council members on March 5.

Council District 1 candidates vying to fill the seat being vacated by Mike Suarez include Joseph Citro, Alan Clendenin, David Loos, Craig Newman and Walter L. Smith II.

District 2 candiates are incumbent Charlie Miranda, Nicholas Glover, John Godwin, Moshiah Lightburn and Joe Robinson.

Running for Yvonne Yolie Capin's District 3 city council seat are John Dingfelder, Stephen M. Lytle and Vibha Shevade.

Vying for the District 4 seat now held by Harry Cohen are Bill Carlson, Salvatore Guagliardo Jr. and Lee Lowry.

District 5 candidates campaigning to fill Frank Reddick's seat are Ella Kate Coffee, Todd Dwayne Cole, Orlando L. Gudes, Jeffrey L. Rhodes and Ralph Alexander Smith.

Incumbent Guido Maniscalco is the lone candidate for District 6.

And contenders for the District 6 seat are incumbent Luis Viera. LeesaAnn Dodds and Quinton F. Robinson.

Images via Facebook

Candidates for mayor of Tampa face off at a debate Jan. 9.

Dick Greco Jr. is the latest candidate to file to become Tampa's new mayor.

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