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Iorio Suggests Davis Would Be 'Excellent' Successor

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By WILLIAM MARCH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

TAMPA - In an unusual political wrinkle, Mayor Pam Iorio and City Councilman Charlie Miranda both are trying to launch political campaigns - but not for themselves.

Iorio wants Jim Davis to replace her as mayor. Miranda thinks Bob Buckhorn ought to get back into politics, maybe as Tampa mayor.

Davis and Buckhorn, veteran Tampa Democratic officeholders in private sector jobs after losing their last elections, both demur for now but don't rule out returning to elective politics.

Iorio acknowledged in an interview this week that she hasn't conferred with Davis about his future political ambitions, if any.

"I think he would be excellent," said the mayor, just elected to her second and, by law, final term, which ends in 2011. "It's up to him to say whether he's interested."

Miranda said even though he opposed Buckhorn in the 2003 mayor's race, which Iorio won, he likes Buckhorn's approach to government and considers him "well-qualified to be mayor."

They Find Life Outside Politics

Davis represented the city in the state House and five terms in Congress before losing to Charlie Crist in the 2006 governor's race.

He now practices law with the Holland & Knight firm, and is on the fringes of politics, including speaking at the state Democratic convention this past month.

Buckhorn was an aide to former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman and later served for years with Miranda on Tampa City Council.

Besides the 2003 mayor's race, Buckhorn ran unsuccessfully for a county commission seat in 2004.

He's now a consultant, also peripherally involved in politics: He just joined Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Iorio Has Eye To Her Legacy

Iorio said she's interested in her successor because "You can't help but want whoever succeeds you to think in a similar fashion and preserve what you've done."

She said Davis would continue her policies and initiatives in "investing in neighborhoods that have been neglected, focusing on the basics, focusing on East Tampa, focusing on mass transit."

She said she doesn't have a second choice if Davis isn't interested.

Among those interested in the race, or said to be interested, are Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita, Tampa City Council members Tom Scott, Linda Saul-Sena and John Dingfelder, and another veteran of the 2003 race, Frank Sanchez.

"There are going to be plenty of names. I don't want to get into picking one person over another," Iorio said. "Jim is the one who really comes to mind."

Davis said he's "focused on building my law practice, catching up at home and getting my boys ready for college. I really have my hands full.

"I still care about the issues," he said, adding that he doesn't rule out anything long-term. Friends say he's more likely to be interested in the U.S. Senate race in 2010.

Iorio isn't well-known statewide but is considered a potential future Democratic statewide candidate - possibly in the Senate race.

If Davis was committed to the mayor's race, it would eliminate a potential competitor on her home base.

Iorio says she's not thinking about that: "I have no idea," she said of her political future. "At this time I don't have any plans."

Several Candidates Possible

Iorio and Davis are only two of several Democrats considered possibilities to challenge incumbent Republican Mel Martinez in the 2010 race.

The subject of the most speculation is Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, also of Tampa, who is regarded as the Democrats' top statewide prospect for future elective office.

Miranda said Buckhorn has name recognition and a following in Tampa and wants to run for office again.

Buckhorn responded, "To say I don't wake up every day thinking about making this city better would be a lie. I spent close to 16 years trying to shape the direction of the city, have an impact on its future. That is hard to give up."

He said, though, he's currently preoccupied with family. He and his wife have two young daughters.

"I'm more concerned about being the best dad I can be," he said. "I only get one shot at being dad."

He said it's "an honor" that Miranda would boost him for public office: "We ran against each and stayed friends. I consider that the ultimate compliment."

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com

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