Compare the council candidates in Tampa’s District 5 runoff election

The runoff election to fill Tampa’s vacant District 5 City Council seat is fast approaching.

Thomas Scott and Naya Young will compete on Oct. 28 to lead the large district, which spans downtown, East Tampa, Ybor City and parts of West Tampa. Early voting starts Thursday.

They were the top two vote-getters in last month’s special election, called in June after the sudden death of former council member Gwen Henderson — Scott got 27% of the vote, and Young won 13%. The winner will serve the remainder of Henderson’s term, through April 2027.

Early voting begins Thursday and ends Oct. 26.

The Tampa Bay Times surveyed both candidates ahead of last month’s election. The following responses are in Scott and Young’s own words, edited solely for length.

Age: 72

Occupation: Pastor at 34th Street Church of God in East Tampa

Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Florida

Prior elected seats: Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners and Tampa City Council

List your top three priorities and how you’ll accomplish them.

“One of the biggest challenges facing the City Council is the need to build stronger relationships among its members. To lead effectively, we must prioritize unity over ego and service over spotlight. That starts with respectful dialogue, shared vision, and a genuine commitment to doing what’s best for the people we serve.

Another major challenge is establishing stability and trust with the community. Rebuilding that trust means showing up consistently, listening intentionally, and following through with action, not just talk.

My top priorities are greater accessibility to economic opportunity in District 5, job opportunity, attainable housing and job creation. Transportation continues to be a top priority and the need to improve the infrastructure in the district with better roads, streets, and retention ponds.”

How will you navigate the relationship between the mayor and the City Council?

“It’s crucial to understand the respective roles and responsibilities, acknowledge the areas of cooperation and tension, and focus on strategies for constructive engagement. Both the mayor and City Council must have a mutual respect and understand the charter has outlined their responsibility.

We need to emphasize transparency and accountability in city operations to rebuild public trust and ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the residents we have been elected to serve.”

Affordability and poverty are key issues in District 5. How will you increase economic opportunities in the district?

“The East Tampa Community has a CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) because I had a vision to create one to better the community. The creation of the CRA should realize or generate over $200 million over a 30-year period, according to the Planning Commission.

Investing in workforce development and training, which includes promoting job training programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and vocational and technical education as alternatives to traditional college degrees.

Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship and providing resources and assistance to help local businesses thrive, including access to capital, training, and networking opportunities.

Improving access to affordable housing and developing strategies to expand the supply of affordable rental and ownership units, including first-time homebuyer programs, and working to preserve existing affordable housing stock.”

Age: 33

Occupation: Works on youth enrichment and environmental causes for the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association

Education: Master’s degree in political science from Howard University

Prior elected seats: N/A

List your top three priorities and how you’ll accomplish them.

“Youth Empowerment: Expand mentorship, workforce readiness, and afterschool programs so young people have safe spaces, career opportunities, and a real voice in shaping their future.

Smart Growth: Champion better transit, more affordable housing, and stronger infrastructure by prioritizing residents’ needs over outside developers.

Economic Development: Bring good-paying jobs and support small businesses by making city contracts more accessible to local and minority-owned businesses.”

How will you navigate the relationship between the mayor and the City Council?

“Collaboration must come before politics. I’ll listen first, build respectful relationships, and find common ground on policies that benefit residents. At the same time, I’ll hold the mayor accountable and ensure District 5’s concerns are always represented.”

Affordability and poverty are key issues in District 5. How will you increase economic opportunities in the district?

“I’ll expand job training and apprenticeship programs, support small businesses and entrepreneurs with better access to city resources, and create youth employment pathways that build generational wealth. I’ll also advocate for affordable housing linked to transit, so families can live and work in Tampa without displacement.”