As expected, Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione submitted her resign-to-run letter to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections on Friday, effective November 8.
That’s the date of the fall election, where Montelione hopes to be the Democratic candidate for the House District 63 seat, which encompasses parts of New Tampa, Pebble Creek, Lutz, Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene and the USF area.
Montelione, re-elected to her north Tampa District 7 council seat in the winter of 2015, announced last fall that she would leave the board prematurely to run for the state Legislature this year.
“With this letter and a heavy heart, I officially declare my resignation as a member of Tampa City Council, representing District 7, to be effective on November 8,” Montelione wrote in her letter on Friday.
In that missive, Montelione listed some of her accomplishments since being elected in March of 2011, including being a champion for transportation improvements, pedestrian and bicycle safety, as well as being an advocate for economic growth and fiscal transparency.
Montelione is running in a contested Democratic primary in HD 63 against Mike Reedy. She currently has more than $61,000 raised cash-on-hand in the contest, Reedy more than $15,000 cash-on-hand. Among the regular contributors to her campaign has been the Florida Democratic Party.
The winner on Aug. 30 will face GOP incumbent Shawn Harrison, who has more than $122,000 cash-on-hand.
Four men have announced their intentions to succeed Montelione in the District 7 seat: Gene Siudut, Luis Viera, Orlando Gutes and Cyril Spiro.
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer has not announced when the special election for District 7 will take place.
