Tamara Shamburger wins a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board

TAMPA — Businesswoman Tamara Shamburger scored a decisive victory over engineer and longtime community leader Joe Jordon-Robinson in a race Tuesday to represent District 5 on the Hillsborough County School Board.

The 41-year-old litigation manager defeated the 62-year-old engineer and community activist by a 2-1 margin.

"I am overjoyed," said Shamburger, who was home with her mother and boyfriend, watching the returns come in. "I am over the moon."

She will be sworn in on Nov. 22, replacing longtime educator Doretha Edgecomb.

District 5, a mostly urban area, includes much of East Tampa, West Tampa, Temple Terrace and Sulphur Springs along with part of Brandon. Many of the school district's high-needs schools are in District 5.

Robinson and Shamburger emerged from a field of five candidates in the Aug. 30 primary, with each capturing roughly a quarter of the votes.

"The people spoke on who they wanted," Robinson said Tuesday.

"I'm not a puppet. I can't be bought and I can't be dictated to. I'm a fighter. They know it. I'm still going to do what I do for black folks in the community."