Passing the Buck: Greco gets dinged while Straz defends minimum wage plan

Tampa Mayoral Race (3)
The mayor's race in Tampa is anything but soggy.

Candidates spent Day 2 of early voting battling the elements. The wet weather seems to have kept voters from the polls. Just 500 people cast a ballot — about 170 fewer than Monday.

Still, the mayor’s race in Tampa is anything but soggy.

Tuesday rolled in alleged reports that Dick Greco Jr. and David Straz might have a feud brewing while Straz answered to his minimum wage proposal some are questioning. If Greco is eyeing Straz as his top political target, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Straz is thought to be sitting in the No. 2 spot in the race, positioning himself for a runoff April 23 with Jane Castor. If that expectation holds, he’s the man to take out if other candidates want to move beyond March 5.

Here’s how it shook out.

Greco betrayed Straz; is now running questionable GOP-centric strategy” via Florida Politics — As reported by Peter Schorsch, a source with close ties to the Greco family says Straz found out Greco Jr. would run for mayor while he was visiting Greco Sr. in the hospital and after the family had promised to endorse him in the race. The family even reportedly finalized a news release announcing the endorsement.

According to Schorsch, a source also claimed it was Greco who sent out a text last week criticizing Straz for endorsing Andrew Gillum for governor and painting him a far-left extremist.

From Schorsch:

“That started after Linda Greco, who apparently is in complete control of her adult son, had a flame out with the initial campaign manager, Joey Precopio, causing him to walk out the door. The campaign then brought on Republican consultant April Shiff. Her hiring has seen Greco Jr.’s campaign move to the right. … The only answer is he’s looking to squeeze into the potential runoff against front-runner Jane Castor. Either that or he and his mother are so acidic they’re just looking to deny Straz a shot. But the most damning piece of the puzzle is that Greco Jr. has only lived in Tampa for about a year. He owned a home in Homosassa through late 2017 and claimed a homestead exemption on it, so he either lived there or was A-OK committing property tax fraud. … After less than two years in the city, it certainly takes some chutzpah to run for Mayor.”

Straz’s $15 minimum wage isn’t so cut and dry” via Florida Politics — If Greco is trying to pass Straz off as far-left, Straz is giving him a hand. The millionaire retired banker is flooding the city with campaign ads and mailers touting his commitment to raising the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, a stance held by the progressive Fight for $15 group. But some are scratching their heads wondering why Straz hasn’t pushed harder for the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to also pay its workers $15 an hour. 

“While Straz’s position as a donor does not give him direct authority to control wages and other budget decisions, there’s a perception that his stature with the organization should give him at least some influence. Asked whether he’s pushed for increasing the Center’s minimum wage, the Straz campaign wouldn’t say and offered only a brief statement. “David is passionate and proud to support the arts and will continue to do so. He is not involved in day-to-day operations at the Straz Center,” spokesperson Jarrod Holbrook wrote in a statement. Holbrook also reminded that Straz is putting his money where his mouth is on the campaign trail. All of his campaign staff are paid at least $15 an hour, Holbrook said.

Bob Buckhorn irked at Straz flyer that reads like a mayoral endorsement” via Tampa Bay Times — Times reporter Charlie Frago followed up on a mailer voters received Tuesday that contained a quote from Buckhorn praising Straz. ” … His years of budget and banking experience will be invaluable in helping me navigate the uncertain economic realities that we’ll face,” the quote read, in part. The Straz campaign disclosed on the flier the quote was taken from a 2011 news release. Buckhorn told the Times the quote was “totally out of context.” “It’s completely inappropriate to be included now with the inference that I’m endorsing him, which I absolutely am not,” Buckhorn said. The Straz campaign issued a statement, which they provided to Florida Politics along with a photo of the mailer and a copy of the 2011 news release in which Straz had endorsed then-candidate Buckhorn, saying the quote was in-bounds because it disclosed that it was not an endorsement.

Straz served on Buckhorn’s transition committee, but the two have been at odds since Straz entered the race to replace him. Buckhorn is expected to endorse Castor in the race but has not yet.

Joe Henderson: Straz campaign may change way Tampa Mayor is elected” via Florida Politics — “He has had more time to hone his message because he hasn’t been knocking on doors for campaign donations. In the last reporting cycle, the David Straz campaign raised just $11,000 outside of the candidate’s own bank account. The other advantage is a bit more esoteric. He can truly pound the point that he isn’t beholden to anyone. That can be effective. It’s the blueprint Rick Scott used to win two terms as Florida’s Governor and a U.S. Senate seat. Scott dipped into his savings to the tune of nearly $64 million in his campaign to beat Bill Nelson last November. And, of course, Donald Trump self-funded his campaign to win the Republican nomination for President. Straz obviously won’t spend that kind of money but he already has spent $2.2 million in this effort. … Tampa has never seen anything like this.”

Suarez gets East Tampa religious community backing” via Florida Politics — Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Tom Scott endorsed Suarez for Mayor, he announced Monday. Scott is also a former Tampa City Council member and ran for Mayor in 2011. “I know what it takes to be an effective public servant; constantly listening and providing help to our community,” Scott said. Scott touted Suarez’s “Neighborhood Bill of Rights” highlighting commitments to public safety, transportation, improved city services and integrity in government. “Mike’s dedication to be a servant leader, visiting all 72 recognized neighborhoods in our city and committing to having quarterly meetings in different parts of the city when he’s elected, are the reasons I offer my full endorsement.”
Amazon HQ2 could be back on the table with a new mayor” via Florida Politics — “’It depends on the detail of the deal,” said incumbent City Council member Harry Cohen. “All I do know is that if they want to talk to Tampa Bay I’m sure that the leadership here would be willing to talk to them.’ Amazon chose New York City, specifically Queens, for its coveted HQ2 that sent cities across the nation into a tizzy trying to attract the internet retail giant with promises of tax incentives galore. Tampa’s pitch fell flat, most assume, because the region is woefully lacking in transit options. Mike Suarez, who is also a sitting City Council member, said companies don’t flock to New York because it’s a low-tax city. it’s not. “People still flock to New York because they invest in infrastructure,” he said. While the Tampa Bay area was found wanting in transit during its first pitch, Hillsborough County can now show some hope for improvement thanks to the 1 percent sales tax voters approved last November to fund transit and transportation enhancements.
Tampa voter turnout on pace to exceed 2011 mayoral race” via Florida Politics — In 2011, overall voter turnout was 22 percent. Of that, 13 percent voted on Election Day with 4 percent voting early and 5 percent voting by mail. Vote by mail turnout this election has already exceeded 2011 with 6 percent turnout so far and counting as more ballots likely trickle in over the coming days. That could make up for what might be lower early voting turnout, which has not yet reached 1 percent. As of Tuesday morning, before polls opened for Day Two, 670 voters had cast a ballot at one of Tampa’s seven early voting locations. If a similar number of people vote each of the seven days during early voting, that turnout will be less than 2011. … Pair the boost in voter engagement with the high-profile race at the top of this year’s municipal ballot and voters have a recipe for high turnout. … Added together, the seven campaigns and affiliated political committees have amassed more than $4.2 million in contributions. To put that in perspective, not counting political committees, candidates running for mayor in 2011 collectively raised $1.7 million.

Mark your calendar

Thursday, Feb. 28 — Last day to mail ballots back to the Supervisor of Elections to guarantee it arrives by Election Day.

March 3 — Final day of early voting

March 5 — Election Day. Voters must cast a ballot at their polling place. Polls are open 7-7. Mail ballots can be returned in person until polls close. Find your polling place here.

Early voting info

Early voting locations:

Cyrus Greene Center

2101 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Fred B. Karl County Center

601 E. Kennedy Blvd.

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library

3910 S. Manhattan Ave.

New Tampa Regional Library

10001 Cross Creek Blvd.

North Tampa Branch Library

8916 North Blvd.

Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center

2514 N. Falkenburg Rd.

West Tampa Branch Library

2312 W. Union St.

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. February 25-March 3

What to bring

Please bring one or two forms of identification that include your signature and photo. Without proper identification, you may still vote a provisional ballot, which will later be evaluated by a canvassing board for eligibility. Any of the following forms of photo identification are acceptable:

— Florida Driver’s License

— Florida ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

— U.S. Passport

— Debit or credit card

— Military ID

— Student ID

— Retirement Center ID

— Neighborhood Association ID

— Public Assistance ID

— Veteran Health ID issued by the VA

— Concealed Weapon License

— Government Employee ID

If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature.

Bring your sample ballot to the polling place with notes on how you plan to vote. By making your voting decisions before going to the polling place, you help keep the lines down.

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Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].



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