Four Candidates Seek Vacant Tampa District 7 Seat

The council seat remains open following the resignation of Luis Viera, who is running for a state house seat.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a sunlit architectural rotunda, evoking the institutional processes of local municipal government. — Four candidates compete for the Tampa City Council District 7 seat, a role critical for managing municipal infrastructure and stadium financing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Four candidates are competing for appointment to the Tampa City Council District 7 seat representing 109,000 residents. The vacancy follows the resignation of council member Luis Viera.

Why it matters

The appointment carries significant weight as the council manages major financial commitments, including an $80 million infrastructure loan for a stadium proposed at the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus.

The potential stadium infrastructure project involves an $80 million city loan. Meanwhile, Amendment 3, if passed, would raise property tax exemptions to $250,000 in 2028, potentially costing the city $35 million to $40 million.

The players

Luis Viera

A former Tampa City Council member who is resigning his seat to pursue a run for the Florida state house.

Morris Lopez III

A candidate for the council seat who currently serves as a Division Chief with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Patricia Alonzo

A candidate who filed for the vacant District 7 seat.

Alan Cohn

A candidate for the council seat currently in the selection process.

Gene Siudut

A candidate for the council seat who has expressed intent to seek the appointment.

The details

Candidates Patricia Alonzo, Alan Cohn, Morris Lopez III, and Gene Siudut have stepped forward to represent the district. The council must address these leadership transitions while balancing ongoing municipal budget concerns and stadium financing debates.

March 2, 2027 is the date the City of Tampa Municipal Election concludes.
February 1, 2027 is the voter registration deadline for the municipal election.
2028 is the fiscal year when projected city revenue losses from Amendment 3 are estimated.

Political Context

The debate over stadium financing and tax policy reflects broader tensions regarding local fiscal responsibility under Florida Amendment 3. Opposition groups argue that such large infrastructure loans could strain the budget, especially if property tax revenue is limited by new state exemptions.

The outcome of the council appointment will directly influence how $80 million in city funds is allocated for infrastructure projects in the district. Residents may also see changes to their local tax obligations depending on the citys response to the projected $35 million to $40 million revenue loss.

The takeaway

The appointment process highlights the intersection of local infrastructure priorities and state-level tax policies. Candidates are positioning themselves to address both the immediate stadium proposal and the long-term fiscal health of the city.