Mitch Perry
Although Charlie Miranda hasn’t endorsed anyone for next Tuesday’s Tampa City Council District 6 election, he received one Saturday from Jackie Toledo, who’s running against Guido Maniscalco.
“Chairman Miranda has done a great job as our council’s chairman and there is no reason to take the gavel away. If elected to the city council, I will enthusiastically vote for him as our next chairman,” Toledo said.
The issue of Miranda’s continuing leadership has become an issue in City Hall politics lately. His fellow council members have selected him as chair of the seven-member board for the past four years. All indications are that he may be again when the new council convenes in a couple of weeks.
That’s bothered some board members, who say it’s nothing personal but they think the city is better served with more diversity on board leadership.
“I’ve never talked to Jackie or anyone else about that,” Miranda said shortly after Toledo’s statement was released. He said he appreciated the support:
“Anything anyone says in politics in a positive manner means something. I appreciate her saying that.”
Miranda is the outgoing representative of District 6. He was elected this month to a fresh four-year term in the citywide District 2 race. He’s neutral in the race between Maniscalco and Toledo, but has condemned the back-and-forth negativity in the campaign. “They’re both doing that. The Dems started it first, but whomever that company is in Fort Myers (Moving Tampa Forward) picked up on it, and I don’t know what the hell is going on. I’m staying away from it.”
When contacted, Maniscalco wondered, “Is it a slow news day?” He said he knew that there was a discussion about the issue at city council Thursday, but didn’t have an official comment.
With the election nearing, the move by Toledo could be construed as a way to win over undecided voters inclined to support Miranda, and who perhaps don’t like the idea for him to step away from leading the board.
“Our City Council benefits from Chairman Miranda’s steady leadership and deep knowledge of our city’s budget and infrastructure,” Toledo said in a prepared statement. “It’s lost on many residents of District 6, including myself, why someone who has done nothing but serve our city selflessly and with dignity is being denied a leadership post he has earned.”
Toledo took 46 percent of the vote in the March 3 primary, with Maniscalco getting 29 percent. The third candidate in the race, Tommy Castellano, received 25 percent. He has endorsed Maniscalco, giving hope to his cause that he can overcome the gap in just three weeks.
Early voting continues through the weekend in District 6, with Election Day on Tuesday.
