Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, now eligible for a third term, hopes to regain his title. Photo courtesy of Hannah Webster, Omnicom.
Bob Buckhorn, a long-rumored candidate to run for mayor of Tampa in 2027, has made it official.
The former mayor, who led the city from 2011 to 2019, filed paperwork and launched his campaign on Monday. Buckhorn told the media stationed outside of the downtown County Center that it was “time to come back and finish the job.”
“It’s time to deal with the challenges that have come with our success, and there are a few,” Buckhorn said of Tampa’s growth. “But I will tell you this: I would much prefer to deal with those challenges and preside over a city that’s growing, that’s alive, that’s vibrant, than preside over a city that’s dying. This city’s best days are yet to come.”
Buckhorn joins nine other candidates vying to replace Mayor Jane Castor, who is term-limited after serving for eight consecutive years. His political committee has already raised $1.8 million with less than a year until the March 2027 election.
Buckhorn’s campaign mantra is “A Tampa for all of us.” He is running to “build a city that is the envy of the nation.”
“We’ve proven we can do it – I’ve already done it,” Buckhorn added. “We’re going to take care of the basics, and we’re going to build a city for everybody.”
He pledged to create a more efficient construction permitting system “on day one.” Buckhorn also emphasized the importance of maintaining Tampa’s authenticity and celebrating its diversity.
The city must solve its transportation woes, Buckhorn said, or “we will choke on our growth.” He will advocate for state and federal investments in light rail and mass transit.
Buckhorn noted that he helped Tampa emerge from a recession, when “jobs were fleeing, and companies were closing, and our best and brightest young people were leaving for other cities.” He said the city’s subsequent evolution has “exceeded our wildest expectations.”
A crowded field of candidates includes City Councilmember Lynn Hurtak. Her colleague Bill Carlson has said that he will file in the coming months.
Ryan Edwards, Anthony Gilbert Jr., Gary Hartfield, Alan Henderson, Julie Magill, Tres Rodmon, Taryn Sabia, and Reginald Strachan have also declared their candidacy. The race will head to a runoff election on April 27, 2027, if no candidate receives over 50% of the vote on March 2.
“Whoever else wants to come out, come on out,” Buckhorn said of his competition on Monday. “I’ll be ready.”
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