Incumbent Mary Mulhern has won a second term and avoided a runoff election after holding off two opponents in the citywide District 2 race.
Seminole Heights' community activist Susan Long finished in second place, followed by businessman Scott Strepina.
The first-term councilwoman drew criticism recently for her reluctance to approve a total ban on panhandling. After initially voting no, she changed her position on a later vote approving a partial ban of the practice along major roadways.
Long said city council's indecision on the issue prompted her to enter the race on the last day to qualify.
It was one of the hardest decisions she has had to make, Mulhern said.
"I'm just relieved that I can go back to work," she said. "I'm happy. I'm looking forward to the new council and the new mayor whoever that turns out to be."
Mulhern said she will continue to promote the issues she fought for in her first term, including fiscal responsibility, community gardens, mass transit and energy efficiency.
Long has served on the city's public nuisance board and the code enforcement board. She favored new approaches to crafting the city's annual budget and said she would favor salary cuts over layoffs of city employees.
Strepina owns a direct marketing firm. He worked for several years as an accountant for Coca-Cola. He wanted to ease the city's permit process to help local business owners.
ksteele@tampatrib.com
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