Tony DeSisto, a candidate for the District 4 city council seat that includes South Tampa, drew about 75 people to his campaign kick off last week, according to a news release from his campaign. Council races are nonpartisan. But DeSisto is a young Republican with some heft behind him. Hosts of the event included Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, former state Senator John Grant, and Deborah Cox-Roush, who chairs the Hillsborough County Republican Party. The news release was sent out by Jennifer Lux, who is also working on Sharpe's re-election campaign.

So far, District 4 candidates set to appear on the March 2011 ballot are Julie Jenkins and Joseph Citro. Both made failed council bids in 2007. John Dingfelder currently holds the post. He's running for Hillsborough County Commission.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer