Add Curtis Lane to the list of people considering a run to replace Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio in 2011.

"Folks have been asking me about it, but it's a long way off," said Lane, 67, who retired last year after more than 30 years as a city employee. Lane was a Tampa police officer for 21 years, eventually becoming the city's first black deputy police chief. He served as an assistant to the mayor for eight years and ended his career with a five-year stint as director of code enforcement. Since retiring, Lane said he has done a little bit of consulting work, "and fishing and golfing. Just trying to exhale a little bit."

Lane says if he became a candidate, mass transit and affordable housing would be among his top issues.

City Council chairman Tom Scott announced yesterday that he plans to run for the post. Former Tampa police major Marion Lewis has also filed to run. Iorio is term-limited out of the position.

Meanwhile, Lynette Judge, who lost to Scott in a bid for the District 5 City Council seat in 2007, filed yesterday to try again for the seat in 2011.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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