In the District 5 Tampa City Council runoff election, unofficial results indicate that Naya Young has won the seat, receiving 60.97% of the vote against former councilman Thomas Scott. The election was held to fill the vacancy left by the late Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson. Young previously worked in nonprofit organizations serving the needs of District 5 students, according to WFLA News.
Young, who had no previous political experience, commented on the turnout for the election. Meanwhile, Scott, a clergyman seeking a political comeback and who previously held the seat from 2007 to 2011, received 39.03% of the vote, with all 28 precincts reporting.
As per WTSP, both candidates supported economic development, affordable housing, and transportation initiatives for District 5, which includes downtown, Ybor City, east Tampa, Tampa Heights, and parts of west Tampa. Young’s campaign emphasized youth empowerment and transportation improvements, while Scott previously advocated for these issues as a former Hillsborough County commissioner and bishop of the 34th Street Church of God.
Young previously served as executive director of the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association and has volunteered on community and environmental projects. In an acceptance speech reported by Spectrum News, she discussed her commitment to the neighborhoods where she grew up amid Tampa’s ongoing development.
The election results, pending certification on Friday by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office, will officially seat Young as the City Council member for District 5.
