Businessman Gary Hartfield hopes to be the next mayor of Tampa.<\/p>\n
Hartfield, who previously served as vice chairperson of the Hillsborough Transit Authority, filed his paperwork to run for mayor on Monday. He joins a crowded field that is only likely to grow in the coming weeks, with past and present elected officials expected to announce their bids.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m stepping forward because I believe Tampa deserves leadership that is present, accountable, and deeply connected to the people it serves,\u201d Hartfield said in a written statement. \u201cThis campaign is about building a city where opportunity is accessible, neighborhoods are supported, and every resident has a voice in shaping our future.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times last month, Hartfield said his top priority is promoting the construction ofworkforce housing.<\/p>\n
He is the founder and chief executive of Serenity Village Insurance and Consulting, an insurance agency. He is also the chief executive of several assisted living facilities across the state, and heads the All Hart Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at empowering communities of color.<\/p>\n
Hartfield, who has openly eyed a mayoral run for months, launched a political committee called Innovate Tampa in July. The committee raised more than $38,000 as of Dec. 31, including $10,000 from Hartfield\u2019s company, Serenity Village Holdings LLC. Hartfield also loaned the committee $30,000 in September.<\/p>\n
He resigned from the Transit Authority<\/a> in January amid residency questions.<\/p>\n Hartfield, who represented Hillsborough County, was required to live in the unincorporated county and owns a home in Lithia, where he claims a homestead exemption. But he began renting a North Tampa residence last year, in part, he said, because he was \u201ceyeing and planning to run for mayor in 2027.\u201d<\/p>\n Candidates must live in Tampa for one year before the start of their term, according to Hillsborough\u2019s Supervisor of Elections office. The next term begins on May 1, 2027.<\/p>\n Hartfield said he was not aware of the rule about living in the unincorporated county.<\/p>\n Hartfield joins eight other candidates in the crowded race to replace Mayor Jane Castor, who must leave office due to term limits.<\/p>\n Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak<\/a> announced her bid in February and listed affordability and transit among her priorities. Taryn Sabia<\/a>, an urban designer and the assistant dean for research at the University of South Florida\u2019s College of Design, Art & Performance, followed in March. Six others have filed, but none have raised more than $500.<\/p>\n Other candidates expected to shape the race have yet to join.<\/p>\n