TAMPA, FL — With all 103 Tampa precincts reporting, Jane Castor made history as she was overwhelming elected Tampa’s first openly gay mayor.

“How exciting is this? The next mayor of Tampa,” said Castor in her acceptance speech, thanking her sons and partner, Anna Cruz.

“No matter what we were faced with, no matter what obstacles were put in our way, we remained positive and focused on the issues,” she said. “Tampa celebrates its diversity and lifts everyone up in a positive way.”

Castor said she already has her agenda set for her first days in office.

“I’m going to focus on strengthening our neighborhoods and make affordable housing available to everyone, attract and create new jobs and provide a living wage for all of our citizens,” she said. “I’ve never been more hopeful and more excited about this city’s future.”

As of 7:21, Castor had 73.34 percent of the vote over David Straz’ 26.66 percent, and took the stage to declare victory. The unofficial election results have her receiving 73.11 percent of the vote to Straz’ 26.89 percent.

One of the first people to offer her congratulations was outgoing Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who gave Castor his endorsement.

“Could not be prouder of Mayor-Elect Jane Castor. Would not have picked anybody else to pass the torch to and I am excited about what our future looks like. Jane is the right person at the right time and she will take the momentum of the last eight years and write Tampa’s next chapter,” Buckhorn tweeted.

The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections reported a 23.19 percent (53,385 voters) voter turnout for Tuesday’s election with a total of 230,193 people in the city eligible to vote in the runoff.

The supervisor’s office said 29,308 people voted by mail and 8,525 took advantage of the early voting opportunity.

Jane Castor campaign

The first people Jane Castor thanked were her sons and partner Anna Cruz..

Here are the unofficial results of Tuesday’s election:

Tampa Mayor

Jane Castor – 73.11 percent (38,854 votes)

David Straz – 26.89 percent (14,290 votes)

City Council District 1

Joseph Citro – 57.35 percent (26,906 votes)

Walter L. Smith II – 42.65 percent (20,007 votes)

City Council District 3

John Dingfelder – 64.03 percent (31,076 votes)

Stephen Lytle – 35.97 percent (17,458 votes)

City Council District 5

Orlando Gudes – 50.82 percent (4,885 votes)

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Jeffrey L. Rhodes – 49.18 percent (4,728 votes)

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