Political Junkie

Tampa firefighters finally declare a choice for mayor: Pam Iorio

After keeping officially mum in the general election, Tampa firefighters are taking a stand on the March 25 runoff that will determine the city's new mayor.

The firefighters have scheduled a news conference this morning to announce their endorsement of former Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Pam Iorio.

"This endorsement goes way beyond just the issue of public safety, which is, of course, our highest priority," Tracy Walker, president of the union, said in a statement provided by the Iorio campaign. "Most of us were born and raised in Tampa and we believe Pam can move this city forward and is the right person to be mayor. Her public safety record is impeccable."

Iorio's camp notes in the release that the safety of its citizens should be the highest priority of government.

Firefighters did take an endorsement vote during the general election. But none of the candidates got 50 percent, so they opted to take a pass.

Bob Buckhorn, who did not survive the general election, received 123 of the 261 ballots cast. Frank Sanchez, who is facing Iorio in the runoff, came in second place with 48 votes.

The nonendorsement was seen as cowardly by firefighters who noted that if ballots marked neutral had been tossed, Buckhorn would have won a majority. Then-union president Al Suarez defended that decision by saying there shouldn't be an endorsement if the members are divided.

Suarez resigned from the union a few days later and appeared shortly afterward at a fundraiser for Iorio. He has acknowledged hoping to work his way into management of the Fire Department under a new administration.

The police union is expected to announce its endorsement sometime next week.

CAMPAIGN ESSENTIALS: After setting a record during the general election by raising more than $800,000, Sanchez acknowledges money may be tighter in the runoff.

Still, he says, he shouldn't need as much because he won't be focusing as heavily on television ads. He says the runoff campaign will be much more focused on the 25,000 to 40,000 people expected to actually vote.

Sanchez said his campaign raised $12,000 on the day after the election. But a sign inside the entrance of his campaign headquarters on Kennedy Boulevard underscores the picture.

It reads, "Campaign Wish List." Below it are listed such items as copy paper, stationery and ink cartridges. Last on the list, in extra-large print and highlighted with ice-blue magic marker: toilet paper.

TEARFUL FAREWELL: Tampa City Council member Rose Ferlita congratulated her fellow members during a recent meeting for either winning their election or at least making the runoff.

Then she turned to the two men sitting on either side of her -- Buckhorn and council Chairman Charlie Miranda. That's when the tears started and her voice broke. Both men ran unsuccessfully for mayor and will be leaving the council after the runoff.

Ferlita said she had felt uncomfortable all morning before making her remarks as the meeting drew to a close.

"I am certainly sitting next to two class acts," she said.

She complimented Miranda for the professional manner in which he has led the meetings for five years and for his knowledge of parliamentary procedure. She complimented Buckhorn for his support of public safety and said the public probably doesn't understand how trying it is for someone to submit themselves to the voters.

MOVING ON: Buckhorn, meanwhile, already has most of his office possessions packed up and ready for storage. Bulging boxes were stacked in the small room at City Hall.

"Life does go on," he said.

Miranda, meanwhile, hasn't started. He said he likely will pull up with a truck the last day and just haul everything out at once.

KNIGHT'S HONOR: Jacqui Knight, who unsuccessfully challenged Tom Scott last year for a seat on the Hillsborough Commission, has been named chairwoman and host of the Hillsborough County Republican Party's annual gala Lincoln Day Dinner on March 14.

Knight will be the first African-American host in more than 75 years of the event, according to a news release.

-- Got a tip? Contact Bill Varian at 226-3387 or varian@sptimes.com.

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