Retired banker and philanthropist David Straz hoped he would stay alive in the Tampa mayor's race. And he has.
Straz got 15 percent of the vote in a field of seven candidates. He faces the top vote-getter, the heavily favored former Tampa police chief Jane Castor, who nearly won outright with almost 48 percent. But she fell shy of the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff.
So far, Straz has waged a contentious campaign against Castor, who vows to focus on a positive and "clean campaign".
In addition to the mayor's race, there'll be three Tampa city council races headed for a runoff, in districts 1,3 and 5.
There are winner in Tuesday's election. Incumbents Charlie Miranda, Louis Viera and Guido Maniscalco keep their seats on council. There's a newcomer to Tampa city council--Bill Carlson, who won in District 4.
The runoff is April 23rd.