Is it 2027 yet? Tampa businessman mulls mayoral bid

With about two years until the election, a local business leader is mulling whether to jump into the Tampa mayoral race in 2027.

If Gary Hartfield decides to run, he would bring a new component to a race that, even in its fledgling early days, is widely expected to feature former Mayor Bob Buckhorn and current Tampa City Council member Bill Carlson as possible front-runners.

While he hasn’t officially announced a bid, Hartfield confirms that he’s considering running, and has opened a political committee to begin raising funds, Innovate Tampa.

Two candidates have already filed: Alan Jared Henderson and Julie Magill.

– Janelle Irwin, Florida Politics