John Dingfelder, first runner-up to Kathy Castor in the District 1 County Commission Democratic primary, is now tossing his hat — and maybe a bunch of retooled campaign signs — into the City Council ring. Democratic Party strategist Clay Phillips, who has been campaigning for several months, is the early frontrunner in the race to represent South Tampa.
Dingfelder says a city council run was never a fallback plan during his county commission race. He says it never crossed his mind “professionally or politically.”
He attributes a good primary showing, a number of encouraging phone calls, confirmation that he did well in South Tampa precincts and “a desire to continue public service in this (elective) capacity” for the necessary motivation.
Dingfelder says that protection of neighborhoods, stormwater needs, fiscal responsibility and governmental integrity will loom large on his campaign agenda.
“We’re going to pick up where we left off,” he says. “I hope people will see it as a continuation of four months of campaigning. Maybe we’ll just cover over county commission and put in city council on our old signs.”
And, yes, look for his mom to be out and about again gathering petition signatures.