It’s not every day that you get to cast a ballot for yourself and the mother of your life partner in the same municipal election.
But that’s what Jane Castor presumably did Tuesday—the mayor, running unopposed. And her life partner Anna‘s mother, Janet Cruz, who Castor endorsed for city council.
“It’s probably pretty rare,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor after casting her ballot Tuesday morning.
“It’s very uncommon,” 10 Tampa Bay political expert Lars Hafner said, “But you can’t preclude family from endorsing family.”
Hafner spoke about that and other unusual aspects of this year’s election.
For example, a Tampa neighborhood association is threatening to sue over a political mailer sent by Cruz’s campaign, for what they say are false claims in an ad targeting incumbent Lynn Hurtak.
Also, one of the city’s wealthiest people, Blake Casper, a developer and former McDonald’s franchisee – is running for city council.
“That could be the case again here, too, that Casper is running because something didn’t go his way any figures he can get that correction because he will now have a voice and vote that counts,” Hafner said
The ballot also contains four potential amendments to the city charter.
One would allow the creation of standing boards without the mayor’s approval. Another sets council term limits. Amendment four would require the city’s charter review advisory commission meet every eight years instead of 10.
But the question getting the most attention would give city council more say in the hiring of department heads. That, after issues surrounding the hiring and eventual resignation of Castor’s hand-picked police Chief Mary O’Connor.
“It plays right into this election. Again,” Haber said. “It’s the mayor and her powers versus the city council and what they want as a check and balance on the mayor.”