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Tampa election: Jane Castor, David Straz head to runoff

Tampa's former police chief and a community philanthropist are set to face off to become the city's next mayor.

TAMPA, Fla. — And then there were two: Jane Castor and David Straz will head to a runoff to determine the city’s next mayor.

None of the seven candidates running for Tampa mayor, a successor to Bob Buckhorn, reached the 50-percent threshold to stave off a runoff election on April 23. Unofficial results show Castor leading with 47.99 percent of the vote.

Straz is in second with 15.47 percent.

Real-time election results: Visit the Supervisor of Elections website

Castor spent six years as the city’s police chief before putting away the badge in 2015. She was the first woman to hold the top post and the first openly gay one.

Hoping to win the top spot, Castor has campaigned on her experience in policing to promote a safer city.

RELATED: Who is Jane Castor? Former police chief wants to be Tampa mayor

Straz, a community philanthropist, sold off his bank business to focus on the David A. Straz Jr. Foundation and other community initiatives. In downtown, his name is lit up in lights at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

His campaign focused on several topics, including LGBTQ equality, equal pay for women, gun safety, developing affordable housing and more.

RELATED: Who is David Straz? Ads say to imagine retired businessman as Tampa mayor

Tampa residents wanting to participate in the runoff election have until March 25 to register to vote. Early voting starts April 14 and runs through April 20, with Election Day on April 23.

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