Emerald Morrow to Thomas Scott: Some people maybe have concerns about the developers that are supporting you. How do you make sure that people in the community know that you will not always side with developers and will also side with the community and their needs?

Thomas Scott: First of all, I think people can look at my record of being able to listen to people, listen to the community and listen to their issues and their concerns — that’s number one. Number two is, I think we have to understand that people just want to make sure that you will listen to them, even when you don’t agree with them, even when you don’t vote with them or for them. Believe me, I voted against a lot of developers and a lot of projects. But they want to know, can they be heard?

Currently, Scott leads Young in campaign fundraising, with the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office showing he’s raised $74,695 compared to Young’s $31,936. Young says as a first-time candidate, she believes her numbers are strong. 

Naya Young: I’m very proud of my number. I think it’s just a true testament to the people that really believe in me, but also a vision and kind of what I want to bring to the district. So, we’re just continuing to reach out to people, just, you know, talking to people. It’s a small, but mighty number. Our team is small, but mighty. The fundraising is small, but mighty. But we’re just continuing just to reach out to the people in District 5.

So, I come from what we call ourselves a service family — you see a need, and you hit the ground running, figure out what you can do. I’ve grown up just working, you know, doing community service or public work before I even knew that’s what I was really doing, and it’s just a part of me. It’s really just who I am. It’s just a part of me. So, I feel like everything I’ve done is just prepared me for this moment.