Phil Ammann
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden is hosting a fundraiser next week for Avis Harrison, the former schoolteacher seeking the Tampa City Council District 7 seat.
Gruden, along with his wife Cindy, will be holding a reception Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in the couple’s North Tampa home at 709 Guisando de Avila.
Harrison, a Panhandle native who taught in the Escambia County School District, faces physician Jim Davison, former Tampa police officer Orlando Gudes, newspaper editor Gene Siudut, Dr. Cyril Spiro and Attorney Luis Viera in the race for the seat covering Forest Hills, Terrace Park, New Tampa and the University of South Florida.
Host committee for the reception includes Hillsborough County Republican State Rep. Shawn Harrison; RDI Solutions President Rick Ivester; logistics executive Donna Rocco and educator Dr. Joyce Swarzman.
Gruden coached the Oakland Raiders from 1998 through 2001 before going to the Buccaneers, where he beat the Raiders, 48-21, in Super Bowl XXXVII the following year.
Gruden’s star power could help Harrison make up a fundraising deficit in the District 7 race. So far, Harrison has only raised $6,325 for her campaign, lagging behind Viera, who has taken in more than $43,000, Spiro’s $23.6K Siudut with just under $17K and Guides with $14K.
RSVP for the event at [email protected]; suggested minimum donation is $100.
