Naya Young (center) smiles and laughs with supporters at a victory party, holding a napkin. She and the woman to her right are wearing white T-shirts that read "NAYA YOUNG" in orange and blue text.

Photos: Tampa’s new city councilwoman, Naya Young, celebrates landslide victory in Ybor City

Young won all but three precincts in the district and earned just under 61% of the vote.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker October 29, 2025October 29, 2025

Naya Young defeated Thomas Scott in the runoff for Tampa CIty Council’s District 5 seat, and celebrated at 7th+Grove in Ybor City, Florida.

Portrait of a woman wearing an orange blazer and white shirt, sitting in front of a bulletin board, looking off to the side while seated near a microphone.

News & Views

Naya Young upsets Thomas Scott to win Tampa City Council special election

She’ll be sworn in at city hall on Friday, Oct. 31 after the supervisor of elections certifies the results.

by Ray Roa October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Side-by-side photo of two speakers at an event. On the left, a man in a dark suit and tie speaks into a microphone. On the right, a woman in an orange dress also speaks into a microphone while seated. Both appear engaged in discussion against a dark backdrop.

Elections, News & Views, Tampa Bay Journalism Project, Tampa Bay News

Voting in Tampa’s City Council District 5 election is happening right now—here’s how to do it

Early voting runs through Sunday, Oct. 26. Election Day is on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

by Ray Roa, Chris Young, Seán Kinane and WMNF News October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

A row of white voting booths with 'VOTE' and American flag graphics inside a busy polling place or election office, with people and camera crew visible in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrats and NPA voters support open primaries, survey says

Of the 626 Democrats surveyed, 87% support having the party unilaterally open its primary election to nonparty-affiliated (NPA) voters.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 13, 2025October 13, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Republican Jay Collins says he’ll decide on running for governor in the coming weeks

Those hoping for ‘carnage’ between Trump and DeSantis will be disappointed, he said.

By Livia Caputo/Florida PhoenixOctober 13, 2025October 13, 2025

A man in a navy blue suit jacket and white shirt speaks into a handheld microphone on stage. He gestures with one hand while addressing an audience, standing in front of a dark curtain backdrop with blurred banners behind him.

News & Views

Former Tampa City Council candidate flashes gun at forum, stealing attention from otherwise successful debate

Elvis Piggott told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay he is ‘always with a concealed firearm.’

by Ray Roa October 13, 2025October 16, 2025

News & Views

Trump backs James Uthmeier for Florida attorney general in 2026

Last month, reports surfaced that the president was considering backing Florida Speaker of the House Daniel Perez for AG.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Things to Do

October 9 Tampa City Council runoff forum promises ‘late-night style fun’

Early voting starts on Oct. 23.

by Ray Roa October 2, 2025October 6, 2025

A large aerial view of St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront with tall buildings and blue skies in the background. On the sandy beach in the foreground, hundreds of people are arranged to spell out the phrase “UNITE + RISE” in large block letters.

Things to Do

St. Pete voting group wants citizens to come sip and strategize about DeSantis’ latest redistricting plan

‘Come ready to learn and take action immediately.’

by Ray Roa October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned blue tie and a white shirt. An American flag pin is on his lapel. He has short, dark brown hair and is gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. In the blurred background, there's a golf cart and what appears to be a large, taxidermied animal. The image is credited to Dave Decker.

News & Views

Voters urge Pinellas legislative delegation to oppose DeSantis’ ‘partisan gerrymandering’ plan for redistricting

An amendments passed in 2010 says, ‘no apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 26, 2025

News & Views

Scott and Young headed for runoff in Tampa City Council race

Two’s company.

by Ray Roa and Selene San Felice September 9, 2025September 10, 2025

Smiling woman with long gray hair and glasses poses outdoors, wearing a bright blue blazer over a patterned top. She has pearl earrings and red lipstick, with trees and blurred greenery in the background.

News & Views

Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman joins congressional race in Florida’s District 15

She’s one of four candidates already in the primary.

by Alisha Durosier September 9, 2025September 12, 2025

News & Views

Column: Somebody should DOGE the money wasted on Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix September 5, 2025September 5, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis ally Paul Renner enters race to become Florida’s next governor

But the governor called Renner’s entrance ‘an ill-advised decision.’

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

A man wearing sunglasses, a black top hat with an image of Donald Trump, and a red jacket over a white and black patterned shirt, holds up a "TRUMP DESANTIS 2024 Make America Florida" sign. In his other hand, he holds a blue flag that reads "TRUMP 2024." He stands outdoors on a sunny day with palm trees and a blurred crowd in the background. A white vehicle with what appears to be broadcasting equipment is visible behind him, and modern buildings rise in the distance.

News & Views

Hillsborough is now firmly red, as Florida GOP boasts 10-point voter registration lead over Democrats

The increase in GOP voters and attrition of Democratic voters in Florida is now being replicated in many parts of the country.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 2, 2025September 5, 2025

A middle-aged man with a gray goatee and mustache, wearing a light gray suit and blue striped tie, speaks animatedly, gesturing with his right hand toward a group of news microphones. The backdrop features an ornate dark wood and metal staircase.

News & Views

Spring Hill’s Blaise Ingoglia is running for full Florida CFO term

He just led DOGE audits in Tampa Bay municipalities.

by News Service of Florida August 25, 2025August 31, 2025

News & Views

Federal judges reject argument that Tampa Bay’s Senate District 16 was racially gerrymandered

Plaintiffs contended that the lines have reduced the influence of Black voters in Pinellas County’s neighboring Senate District 18.

by News Service of Florida and Jim Saunders August 19, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Naya Young’s knowledge of CBAs was the highlight of the HCDBC candidate forum

Young’s energy and general command of the room was obvious.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 18, 2025September 1, 2025

Elections, News & Views

Here are the 13 candidates officially on the ballot for Tampa’s City Council District 5 special election

by Ray Roa August 17, 2025

News & Views

‘Deeply troubling’: Florida Democrats react to memo about congressional redistricting

Republicans hold 20 of the 28 congressional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives following the latest reapportionment in 2022.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix August 11, 2025August 27, 2025