Mike Suarez gets East Tampa religious community backing

Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Tom Scott endorsed Mike 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.”

Scott is also the pastor at the 34th Street Church of God in East Tampa. Pastors from other churches in the area also endorsed Suarez.

Those include Rev. Zachary Hudson (Rebirth Missionary Baptist Church,) Rev. Joseph Sykes (Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church,) Bishop Sylvester Robinson (Peace Progressive Missionary Baptist Church,) Bishop Matthew Williams (Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ) and Rev. Paul Buster (New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.)

The endorsements are a big deal in East Tampa where church life is often at the center of family values, and voters in those neighborhoods trust the guidance of their religious leaders.

Candidates this election have been heavily targeting both East and West Tampa where black voters could have a significant impact on voting results. Both communities have felt historically underrepresented in city government, particularly with so much development in and around downtown.

Candidates, including Suarez, have vowed to make the East and West Tampa communities a more valued part of the city and to increase city services and amenities within them.

Suarez is in a battle for the No. 2 spot in the seven-way mayoral race. Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor is the clear front-runner. The top two vote-getters, if no candidate receives more than half the vote on March 5, will advance to a runoff election April 23.