An open Hillsborough County Commission seat has attracted a second Democrat, setting up an intraparty showdown for 2016.
Patricia Kemp, former chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party, filed paperwork on Friday to run for District 6 commissioner. Kemp, 58, is looking to replace Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who has reached his term limit and can't run again.
Local transit activist Brian Willis, 31, announced his candidacy last week.
Kemp narrowly lost an election for county commissioner in 2014 to longtime commissioner Al Higginbotham. Despite her late entry into the race against a well-funded incumbent, the margin was fewer than 2,000 votes.
Kemp contends her previous campaign shows she's a viable candidate and said, if nominated, she would fare better as a Democrat running in a presidential election year.
She hopes to raise $200,000 for the race.
"I have a long history throughout the county and feel very good about the race and my ability to do well," she said.
Kemp, a lawyer, worked in the office of former County Commissioner Kathy Castor and for former State Rep. Sara Romeo in Tallahassee. She serves on the Tampa Bay High Speed Ferry Committee and Tampa Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee.
Kemp said her experience positions her well to tackle issues facing the county, especially long-term transit solutions.
But her new opponent, Willis, disagreed.
"The fact that she used to work in government is a big contrast between the two of us," Willis said. "I've worked in the private sector, and people want new ideas and new leadership."
Contact Steve Contorno at scontorno@tampabay.com or @scontorno.