{"id":158465,"date":"2026-02-17T15:29:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/158465\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T15:29:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:29:08","slug":"tampa-city-councilwoman-naya-young-files-for-re-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/158465\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young files for re-election"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ANick Brocks (L) and Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young outside the Frederick B. Karl County Center in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 17, 2026. Credit: Ray Roa \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

Last October, Naya Young<\/a> said that if she prevailed in the special city council election, she would commit to running again 16 months later<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the long runoff<\/a> and the work she planned to do, Young told this reporter on WMNF public affairs program \u201cThe Skinny\u201d that she\u2019s enjoyed the campaign, adding that, \u201cI would again run for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old, who is the youngest woman to serve on Tampa City Council, made good on that promise this morning when she filed for re-election<\/a> in District 5.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a window-lit board room brightened by morning sun rising over her district, Young\u2014flanked by her father Owen, mom Dr. Toni Young, husband Nick Brocks, and campaign consultant Michael Womack\u2014put her signature on paperwork to ensure she appears on the ballot in Tampa\u2019s March 2027 municipal election<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels good getting it done. The earlier, the better,\u201d she told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the filing 378 days before Tampa\u2019s next municipal election wraps on March 2, 2027 (any necessary runoffs will wrap on April 27, 2027).<\/p>\n

Sworn in last Halloween, Young has quickly adapted to the job while continuing to advocate for some of the same issues brought to the dais by her predecessor, the late Gwen Henderson.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI always think of people that come before me who have done good work. When we\u2019re out in the community, a lot of people do mention her and are happy to see me in the seat, so I\u2019m excited,\u201d Young said. She noted that her office has worked on issues like a social action arts fund and other nonprofits that were important to Henderson, who died 141 days before Young upset Thomas Scott in a landslide.<\/a><\/p>\n

Young, so far, does not have an opponent. Records from the Hillsborough Supervisor Of Elections<\/a> show just one other person who\u2019s filed to run for any city council seat: Morris Lopez III, who will run for the District 7 seat that will be vacated by Councilman Luis Viera if he\u2019s successful in his run for state house<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Should she win re-election in District 5, Young will be working with a new mayor set to follow Tampa Mayor Jane Castor who is termed out. Young, however, is not thinking much about that race\u2014which so far has just six candidates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna have to work with the mayor, the people to the left of me and the right of me,\u201d Young told CL before making a sports analogy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think of someone that\u2019s running track, they tell you, you don\u2019t have to look left, you don\u2019t look right\u2014you just look straight ahead,\u201d Young added. \u201cSo that\u2019s kind of what I\u2019m focused on\u2014doing the best job that I can and making sure that I win my race.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the upcoming campaign, however, Young working with new district lines after scheduled redistricting is finalized this April.<\/p>\n

Young has been active in making sure that her constituents know about the redistricting plans, which will affect the makeup of District 5, which once featured a majority-Black voting block.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am excited that a lot of the community has been very vocal about it, making sure to pay attention and be a part of the process,\u201d she told CL. \u201cThe last meeting I went to at the Hannah City City, they said it was probably the biggest turnout that they had for the redistricting meetings, which I thought was really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a release from the campaign, Young pointed out that from day one in office, she\u2019s been committed to being present in her community.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just to listen, but to act,\u201d Young wrote. \u201cThat means asking the tough questions and making sure our neighborhoods are heard and supported.\u201d<\/p>\n

The release touts the counciwoman\u2019s work with young people and efforts to advance public safety, transparency, along with her service as Chair of the City Council\u2019s Parks and Recreation Committee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been intentional about building relationships, understanding systems, and bringing people together to move our city forward,\u201d Young added in the release. \u201cThere\u2019s more work to do, and I\u2019m ready to continue delivering for District 5.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is a developing post.<\/p>\n

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This article appears in Feb. 12 \u2013 18, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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