Tom Scott Delivers, Naya Young Surprises in Tampa Special Election Yesterday

TAMPA — Results are in for Tampa’s special election to replace late Councilmember Gwen Henderson in City Council District 5. A total of 5,411 ballots were cast in this election, slightly more than the 5,199 votes cast when Gwen Henderson won the seat in a close race against Orlando Gudes in 2023.

Frontrunner Tom Scott came in a clear first place with 27% of the vote, but nowhere near the 50% needed to avoid a runoff election. Newcomer Naya Young surprised by beating strong candidates Fran Tate, Tom DeGeorge, and Ariel Amirah Danley to earn second place with 13% of the vote.

Scott and Young will now move to a runoff election on October 28, seven weeks from now.

Tom Scott, 71, served on the Hillsborough County Commission from 1996 through 2006, and then on the Tampa City Council from 2007 through 2011. Given his experience, Scott was expected to lead the pack and he has delivered.

However, since his time in office, Scott has run repeatedly run unsuccessful races to return to public service. He ran for Mayor in 2011 and came fifth in a field of five. Then he ran for Supervisor of elections in 2012, coming up short against current Supervisor Craig Latimer. And then Scott ran unsuccessfully for County Commission in 2016 — Pat Kemp, who defeated him in a Democratic primary, earned nearly two times as many votes as Scott. Scott hopes to break this streak with a runoff victory against Naya Young less than two months from today.

Naya Young, 33, has a reputation for understanding policy. She would be a first-time elected official if she wins the runoff. Her experience comes primarily as in the nonprofit sector, where she served as the Executive Director for Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, which works with youth in District 5.

Young started the race outside the top tier of candidates, all significantly more experienced except for Ariel Amirah Danley. Danley, 35, is the daughter of Councilmember Gwen Henderson, who held this seat until her untimely passing. However, Young shined on the campaign trail, more than holding her own in forums. In one notable moment at a candidate forum, Young was the only candidate able to answer a policy question about using Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) to attract better jobs to local communities.

City-council-watcher Michael Bishop was impressed. “Top take away? Naya Young killed it,” Bishop wrote. “The other six candidates—including one who is running on his experience (Scott) having served on council—tripped over themselves trying to answer.”

Though a combination of grassroots support and winning over audiences, Naya Young earned her ticket to the runoff. But Scott earned fully twice as many votes as Young in a crowded field. Defeating a former elected official with decades of experience both running and serving may prove a steeper challenge. Scott meanwhile will look to consolidate support quickly and halt the momentum of the young rising star.