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Iorio Eyes D.C.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2009

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio will face some obstacles if she decides to run for the U.S. Senate. She's never run a statewide campaign, doesn't have a money-raising network at the ready and is little known outside Hillsborough. Her centrist views could hurt her in a Democratic primary that attracts left-leaning voters.

But Iorio, who surprised her staff by announcing her interest in the seat Tuesday, still could make a formidable candidate.

She's never lost an election and has been highly successful as a Hillsborough County commissioner, supervisor of elections and mayor. She listens to citizens, pays close attention to details and works for pragmatic solutions.

Iorio is not afraid of the tough task. As mayor, she has had to cut staff and programs to deal with the economic downturn. She increased stormwater fees, demonstrating to citizens the need to overhaul an inadequate drainage system.

Iorio balances vision with fiscal restraint. She has championed the downtown Riverwalk but is funding it only as private money and grants become available. She supports a local rail system but is seeking first to generate the widespread community support necessary for success. She demanded a grandiose design of the Tampa Arts Museum be redone.

Iorio, who was raised in Temple Terrace, is a thoughtful moderate who could appeal to GOP voters. And in contrast to legislators, who make decisions they never have to execute, Iorio has had to govern.

Of course, all the qualifications and appeal in the world don't mean anything if a candidate can't raise truck loads of money. So Iorio doesn't have much time to dawdle. If she does run, there is still much to learn about her positions on national and international issues.

But we know this: She is the kind of smart, articulate and battle-tested candidate both parties should be seeking.

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