Bob Buckhorn continues fundraising momentum; hits $1.8M banked

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn will have plenty of cash available for an eventual mayoral bid, with another strong fundraising quarter for his affiliated political committee, Friends of Bob Buckhorn.

The PC raised another $400,000 in the first quarter of 2026, bringing the amount banked so far to $1.8 million. The strong showing comes after Buckhorn’s PC similarly raised nearly $415,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“I’ve always believed Tampa’s strength comes from its people, not its politics. The support we’re receiving is about neighbors coming together around a shared vision — a Tampa for all of us, where every neighborhood is lifted up and no one is left behind. That’s what this campaign is about,” Buckhorn told Florida Politics.

Buckhorn entered the year with more than $1.4 million on hand. He now holds nearly $1.79 million.

Buckhorn has not officially launched a mayoral campaign for the race next year to replace incumbent Mayor Jane Castor, who is facing term limits. But he has widely indicated he plans to run.

There is already a crowded field of candidates for Mayor, including Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak and urban designer Taryn Sabia. More than half-dozen other candidates largely unheard of have also filed. As of the end of 2025, only three had posted any fundraising, though most entered the race after the fourth quarter, meaning they won’t file their first finance reports until they are due April 10.

Buckhorn disclosed his political committee’s earnings to Florida Politics ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Another prominent candidate expected to join the race is Tampa City Council member Bill Carlson. Like Buckhorn, Carlson has not yet officially joined the contest. Carlson has established a political committee, which will report first-quarter financial activity in the coming week. Carlson also has a dark money organization affiliated with him, where fundraising will be less transparent.

Buckhorn, a Democrat, served two terms as Tampa Mayor, from 2011 to 2019, and left office with strong approval ratings. While Tampa limits Mayors to two terms, those limits reset once out of office for two terms, which allows Buckhorn to run again.

Other candidates in the race include Ryan Edwards, Anthony Gilbert Jr., Gary Hartfield, Alan Jared Henderson, Julie Magill, Tres Rodmon and Reginald Strachan.