Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn Tells Saint Leo University Students He’s Running Again

Saint Leo University Honors Program students enjoyed an experiential learning moment today (Thursday, April 24) when they welcomed former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to two classes. They also helped “break” some news when a student asked about his future plans. During the first session of the Faith & Politics course, Buckhorn said he is running for mayor again. There has been much speculation that the former mayor would pursue the office again, so the Saint Leo students heard it first.

The Democrat was elected in 2010 and served until term-limited in 2019. Now, he hopes to continue the progress he made during his terms as well as the work that current Mayor Jane Castor has completed. Castor leaves office in 2027. So far, two candidates have filed to run for mayor: Alan Henderson, an entrepreneur, and Julie Magill, a real estate broker.

Saint Leo University students in the classes taught by Frank Orlando, political science instructor, and Dr. Stephen Okey, associate professor of theology and religion, learned about how Buckhorn became involved in politics and his experiences in campaigning and leading the city of Tampa. 

When he ran for mayor in 2003, he lost. But he said he was determined in 2010. “I was going to do what it takes [to win],” Buckhorn told the students. “I knocked on 20,000 doors. I walked for 8 hours. I was suffering heat exhaustion. I couldn’t’ see. But I asked people, ‘what could Tampa be?’”

Buckhorn was the victor in a primary run-off election and took office in 2011 during “the worst recession,” he said. “We were losing our best and brightest to other communities. The kids coming to Saint Leo were leaving [Tampa, after graduation] to find more opportunities.”

He focused on inspiring residents and encouraging everyone to work together —  to be stronger together. Slowly, the city recovered, building the Riverwalk, encouraging investments by Jeff Vinik and Bill Gates in what is now Water Street, adding Ulele and Armature Works to the landscape and making Tampa a desirable destination and place to live. 

Buckhorn encouraged the Saint Leo students to stay in the area and share their skills and knowledge to improve and grow the city, too. 

As the classes are about faith and politics, Buckhorn said he is a practicing Catholic and a lector at Christ the King Catholic Church; his wife graduated from Georgetown University, and his daughters graduated from the Academy of Holy Names in Tampa. 

“My faith is important to me, and it helps me stay grounded,” he said. But he did sometimes find himself in conflict with Catholic orthodoxy, he said. “I have to navigate that. As mayor, you are not only the mayor of Catholics; you are the mayor of everyone.” 

Buckhorn said Tampa is a place where all are welcome. “The inherent values of everyone matters.” 

When questioned about whether he had conflicts between being Catholic and being mayor, Buckhorn said the big issue is women’s reproductive rights, and mayors usually don’t have much say or control regarding that issue. “My job is not to interject myself,” he said. 

He was asked by a Saint Leo student if faith makes a positive impact on campaigns. “Very much so,” Buckhorn said. “People are skilled at seeing the BS. They are looking for candidates who are authentic. If they see you as true to who you are and what you believe in, and there is no gap between how you behave in office and in your personal life. . .it is how you treat people.”