When the Tampa City Council meets today, John Dingfelder won't be at the dais. That's because he resigned his post Wednesday, effective immediately, saying the move was necessary to run for Hillsborough County Commission.

According to state election law, Dingfelder needed to submit a resignation letter by June 4 to appear on the November ballot. He could have made his resignation effective in November, but because he missed the deadline to turn in the letter, he needed to step down immediately, he said.

The remaining City Council members will choose his replacement, who will fill the post until city elections in March.

Dingfelder is a Democrat. He has no primary opponent in the race for the District 1 commission seat. Two Republicans are vying for the job, political newcomer Trey Rustmann and former state Rep. Sandy Murman. Read more about it here.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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