Latest news with #OrlandoGudes
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gudes ends bid for old job, Tampa city council race remains crowded
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — On Thursday, former Tampa Councilman Orlando Gudes filed a handwritten note officially withdrawing his name from the candidate pool to represent District 5. The seat was opened following the passing of Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson. Community advocate Yvette Lewis is a well-known name in East Tampa, which makes up most of District 5. 'We're going to get those body cams': Bartow city leaders vow changes are coming after controversial traffic stop 'We're looking for someone that can bring a voice of calm and a voice of peace,' Lewis said. Lewis is also the president of the NAACP's Hillsborough County chapter. She was born and raised in that district. It's where she currently resides. The organization does not make political endorsements. 'We're also looking for someone who can actually have a working relationship with city administration because that's important as well,' Lewis said. Gudes declined an on-camera interview. However, in a statement sent by the former candidate, he addressed previous claims over his conduct and political scandals during his time on council. 'Allegations were made attacking my character — allegations that I firmly deny and do not reflect the truth,' Gudes said. As of the publishing of this story, 11 hopefuls remain in the race to replace the late councilwoman. 'District 5 is different. District 5 has highs and lows of income (and) different personalities here,' Lewis said. A question over whether Gudes lives in the district was also raised, since his voter registration was recently updated. In Tampa, council candidates must reside in the district for at least six months. 'I, on the other hand, interpreted the charter's residency requirement to where a person physically lives, not what is on the voter registration card or when it might have been updated,' Gudes said. Candidate qualifying is not until next month. That's when voters know who will appear on the ballot. The election is set in September and a runoff, that's likely needed, will be in October. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Orlando Gudes withdraws from Tampa City Council race over residency questions
Orlando Gudes, a former Tampa City Council member, withdrew from the race for the vacant District 5 seat late Wednesday night amid questions over his eligibility to run. County records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times show that Gudes changed his residency into the district last month, two weeks before he announced his candidacy. According to the county elections supervisor, candidates must have lived in their district 'for six months immediately preceding the commencement of their term of office.' The special election to fill the seat, which opened after the sudden death of council member Gwen Henderson last month, is set for Sept. 9, with a likely runoff in late October. Had Gudes won in either month, he would have resided in the district for fewer than five months. 'After thoughtful consultation with legal counsel, I've determined that although this matter is winnable, the financial and logistical strain of pursuing it during a condensed campaign timeline is not prudent,' Gudes said in a news release announcing his withdrawal. 'The City Clerk's interpretation of residency relies on the date a voter registration is changed—not on where one has physically lived," Gudes said in the statement. 'I, on the other hand, interpreted the Charter's residency requirement to be where a person physically lives.' He explained that he moved out of his 'personal home' after a family catastrophe and lives with his mother. He did not specify the district of either residence. Ten candidates remain in the race as of Wednesday. This is a developing story and may be updated. Check back at
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tampa City Council candidate Orlando Gudes may violate residency rules
Orlando Gudes, a former Tampa City Council member now running for the vacant District 5 seat, may not meet residency requirements to hold the office, according to county records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. A recent voter audit report from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections shows that Gudes requested to change his address from District 7 to District 5 on June 17, two weeks before he announced his candidacy. Per the county elections supervisor, candidates must have lived in their district 'for six months immediately preceding the commencement of their term of office.' The special election to fill the vacant District 5 seat, which opened after Council member Gwen Henderson died suddenly last month, is set for Sept. 9, with a likely runoff in late October. The winner will assume office immediately. If Gudes wins in either month, he will have lived in the district for fewer than five months. The candidate did not respond to multiple emails and calls for comment. Gudes' full address is protected from public disclosure because he is a former police officer. The District 5 seat serves downtown, East Tampa, Ybor City and parts of West Tampa. Henderson had more than 15 months left in her term when she died. Gerri Kramer, spokesperson for the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections, said the elections office plays a ministerial role in accepting candidate qualifying documents and does not have the authority to determine their accuracy. 'This ultimately may need to be decided by a court,' said Adam Smith, spokesperson for the City of Tampa. Gudes was originally elected to the Tampa City Council in 2019 to represent District 5. In 2020, a legislative aide — Henderson's sister — accused Gudes of making lewd remarks and creating a hostile work environment. A monthslong investigation found most of the claims to be credible, but a lawsuit filed by the aide was dismissed and the city announced a separate $200,000 settlement with her. Gudes denied the allegations, and the city agreed to pay the legal fees he incurred defending himself against the suit. In 2022, Gudes faced questions about his address. While on the council, Gudes, who said he was living in his East Tampa childhood home, received an improper tax break for a property he owned in North Tampa. Gudes requested that the homestead exemption be removed and paid the Hillsborough County Appraiser's Office more than $13,000 for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 tax years. 'Once we heard about it, we took care of the problem,' Gudes told the Tampa Bay Times in 2022. 'We took care of all the issues.' Gudes lost his bid for reelection in 2023 to Henderson. This year, Gudes is one of 11 candidates to enter the race as of July 9. The winner will serve until the next City of Tampa municipal election in 2027.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's who's running in Tampa's upcoming election for District 5
Tampa City Council member Gwen Henderson had more than 15 months in her term when she died last month of natural causes. So the city is holding a special election Sept. 9 to fill her District 5 seat, which represents Ybor City, East Tampa, downtown and part of West Tampa. The the candidates to replace her are already piling up. As of July 8, here's who's running. Henderson's daughter, Ariel Amirah Danley, is among the early candidates for her late mother's seat. Danley, a Tampa native, is an entrepreneur and celebrity makeup artist. She and her mother opened Black English Bookstore in Tampa Heights in late 2023. Among her policy priorities are support for woman- and minority-owned small businesses, funding for youth programs and improvements to neighborhood infrastructure, according to her website. Former City Council member Orlando Gudes is making another bid for District 5, after losing a reelection campaign against Henderson in 2023. While on the City Council, Gudes, a former Tampa police officer, was investigated for crude and sexual comments he made to a former aide, who was Henderson's sister. He stepped down as council chairperson, but not from the council. Despite the investigation finding the majority of the allegations made against him to be credible, a lawsuit from the former aide was dismissed. Former Hillsborough County Commissioner and Tampa City Council member Thomas Scott is making another bid for the city's dais. Scott represented District 5 from 2007-2011 and also spent 10 years on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners. Scott, a senior pastor of more than 40 years at the 34th Street Church of God in East Tampa, said his experience in local government will help him 'hit the ground running' during a shorter term. Fran Tate is the president of the Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association and coordinator of the public safety Crime Watch. She is also a former chair of the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency's Community Advisory Committee, which she remains a member. Tate said her connections within the city, and her familiarity with the redevelopment agency's budget, would help her transition onto the council. Juawana Colbert is member of Tampa's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and is also developing affordable townhomes in the Central Park Community Redevelopment Agency area. She was born in Los Angeles and moved to Tampa in 2017. She works at Allure Realty, which was featured in Netflix's 'Selling Tampa.' Colbert wants to focus on equitable investment, affordable housing, support for small businesses and more walkable neighborhoods, she said in a statement. Business owner Darrell Ashley Dudney, who goes by Ash, is making his first foray into politics to represent the district where he grew up. He said he's interested in supporting small businesses — ones that make under $1 million annually — addressing homelessness and boosting public transportation. Elvis Piggott said he wants to ensure the important issues effecting all residents in District 5 — not just those living in certain areas — aren't overlooked, while also carrying on the work that Henderson started. Piggott has been a pastor in the district for nearly 20 years. He's the pastor at at Triumph Church in Tampa, and said he wants to prioritize community voice and economic opportunity, particularly for young people. He said he also wants to encourage development that's beneficial to residents. Naya Almaz Young has worked in public service for years. She said she would spend summers at her grandmother's house canvassing around the neighborhood, encouraging people to vote and attending neighborhood civic association meetings. Throughout her career, Young said she has carried on the lessons she learned growing up and applied them to community work across the country — and eventually in Tampa, where she is involved with the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association. Audette Bruce, a former policy analyst and speech writer for the United Nations, moved to Florida more than a decade ago. She's worked for former state Rep. Jackie Toledo and Rep. Berny Jacques. Taking her international, national and state-level experience to Tampa, Bruce said she wants to focus on affordable housing and improving the development around it through increased police presence and support for small businesses. She said she also wants to work toward transit solutions. In Ybor City, Thomas DeGeorge is the co-owner and president of the Crow Bar, a live music and events venue. He's chaired the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce and helped raise money in a national campaign to support independent venues during the COVID-19 pandemic. DeGeorge said the city needs rent protection amid rapid development and a rising cost of living. He also said the city needs to address homelessness and mental health issues. Melony Letitia Williams is a retired lieutenant colonel and Tampa native. She ran an unsuccessful campaign last year for Hillsborough clerk of court and comptroller. Williams did not respond to emails or a text seeking comment from the Tampa Bay Times.
