The Tampa Firefighters Union Local 754 is endorsing Bob Buckhorn for Mayor.
The group is announcing its support for Buckhorn, who previously served two terms as the city’s Mayor, at the Tampa Firefighters Museum located at 720 E. Zack Street in downtown on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Buckhorn will be on hand for the announcement, along with union President Nick Stocco, members of the firefighters union and other community supporters.
Buckhorn is running to succeed incumbent Jane Castor, who is leaving office due to term limits Buckhorn was her predecessor. He’s the early front-runner in what is shaping up to be a crowded race. Also running are Tampa City Council Members Bill Carlson and Lynn Hurtak and nine other lesser-known candidates.
So far though, Buckhorn has dominated the field in key metrics, including polling and fundraising.
A recent poll put Buckhorn just outside majority support, with 49% supporting him. The poll put Buckhorn 30 percentage points ahead of his closest opponent, Carlson, who posted just 19% support. Hurtak and Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez — the latter of whom hasn’t announced he’s running, but is considering it — each polled at 13% support. The poll also included candidates Taryn Sabia and Gary Hartfield, at 4% and 3%, respectively.
And on fundraising, Buckhorn has so far amassed a huge cash advantage, with more than $2 million raised to his affiliated political committee. A political committee supporting Carlson, who is expected to be Buckhorn’s top competition, has raised less than $38,000.
