Kathleen Ford may join St. Petersburg mayor's race

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JANUARY 16, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - The buzz is that former City Council member Kathleen Ford has reconsidered and will run for mayor.

Ford declined to comment on her mayoral ambitions, but confirmed that numerous community leaders have approached her about running.

"There are a lot of people concerned about the issues facing the city and the lack of leadership to address the crime problem, the decline of BayWalk, the outrageous property taxes collected over the past eight years," she said. "Folks want an open, honest, accountable and affordable government. We are tired of the secret deal making."

Ford came in second to Mayor Rick Baker in 2001 and the duo are considered political enemies, meaning her candidacy could likely be framed as a referendum on Baker's administration.

She also was a fierce opponent of the Tampa Bay Rays' downtown stadium plan last year, when most elected officials declined to take a stand on the issue.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

Posted by tampabaycom at 2:23:36 pm on January 16, 2009 in

St Petersburg mayor's race

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