Two Tampa City Council members back Jane Castor for mayor

Jane Castor added two new endorsements to her list, her campaign announced Wednesday.

Tampa City Council members Luis Viera and Charlie Miranda are each backing Castor for mayor.

“Tampa is a diverse and booming city, that needs an experienced and effective leader with a vision to keep moving in the right direction,” Miranda said. “Jane Castor brings the kind of experienced and thoughtful leadership that our community deserves.”

Miranda was re-elected to his District 2 seat March 5 with 58 percent of the vote in a three-way race.

Viera represents voters in District 7, which includes New Tampa.

“Jane Castor is a proven leader who knows every neighborhood in our city like the back of her hand. My district — the neighborhoods of North and New Tampa — would be well-represented with her in the Mayor’s office.” Viera said.

Both men are prominent figures in the city’s Hispanic community.

“I am excited and proud to have the endorsement of these two terrific public servants. I thank them for their kind words of support and look forward to working with our city council as Mayor to tackle the biggest issues facing our community,” Castor said.

Castor is facing an onslaught of negative attacks from her opponent, David Straz. Straz, who is more than 30 points behind Castor in polls, is trying to win over support from voters by criticizing Castor’s track record as former police chief.

Her campaign strategy instead is focused on highlighting her experience as a public servant.

The latest endorsers join several other local elected officials, former opponents and business leaders in supporting Castor, including incumbent Mayor Bob Buckhorn, State Sen. Janet Cruz, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and former mayoral candidates Harry Cohen and Dick Greco.

Castor and Straz will face off in two televised debates next month and one radio debate.

They square off at the ballot box April 23.