Naya Young files for re-election after underdog Special Election victory

Tampa City Council member Naya Young filed for re-election this week to her District 5 seat after she became the youngest woman elected to the body last year during a Special Election.

Young emerged from a crowded race that included a dozen names on the ballot, and a 13th candidate who ran as a write-in. She was the second-place finisher in the Primary behind former City Council member Thomas Scott, but went on to defeat him in the runoff with 61% of the vote.

“From day one, I made a commitment to be present in the community — not just to listen, but to act,” Young said. “That means asking the tough questions and making sure our neighborhoods are heard and supported.”

Since her election, Young has worked to ensure a strong presence among constituents by attending local neighborhood meetings, community events and other stakeholder gatherings, offering residents a way to communicate with their representative on the City Council.

Young currently chairs the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee, where she works to ensure robust access to green space, youth programming and community amenities. In addition to her work on the Council, Young also serves on the Tampa Bay Estuary Board.

“I’ve been intentional about building relationships, understanding systems, and bringing people together to move our city forward,” Young said. “There’s more work to do, and I’m ready to continue delivering for District 5.”

Young said she intends to focus her re-election campaign on further community engagement, expanding economic opportunity, strengthening public safety and investing in future local leaders.

Young is currently serving out the remaining term of Gwen Henderson, who passed away last Summer.

Young has been a grassroots activist since she was a teenager, canvassing for the campaign of former Democratic Sen. James Hargrett before later working to help elect former Rep. Betty Reed.

She began nonprofit work with the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, later becoming the group’s Executive Director. She now serves as a consultant for the group.

Among her advocacy efforts, Young pushed for walkable green spaces, diabetes awareness, and law enforcement reform. She has an undergraduate degree in culture and media communication from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in political science from Howard University. She also received a nonprofit management certification from the University of Tampa.

Young marched to victory last year despite a funding deficit. Scott had raised more than $95,000, while Young raised just over $42,000.

Young is so far unopposed for the race, which won’t be on the ballot until next year.