Among those sifting through the pre-Nov. 2 political tea leaves is Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. She has banked her remaining political capital on a singular, galvanizing referenda issue: the approval of the 1 percent sales tax for countywide transportation system construction.
She recently cut an effective, 30-second TV spot and is out every day making multiple regional pitches in behalf of better roads, more buses and light rail. She knows she has editorial boards and the business establishment behind her. Moving Hillsborough Forward has been underwriting color maps, robo calls and TeleTown Hall meetings. Recent polls look promising.
And yet.
Raising a tax — ANY tax for ANYthing — in this economy is dicey at best. Iorio estimates the no-tax/no-way hardcore as 35-40 percent. And ideologues tend to vote. Then there’s the potential fallout from so many overlapping negative campaigns that could deter some voters — especially the younger, pro transit-option demographic. And there are voters who still confuse plans for light rail and high-speed rail. Ignorance never helps.
Through it all, she says, she’s proud of staying on the high road amid all the partisanship and mud-slinging of so many concurrent campaigns. “I like engaging on this subject,” Iorio understates. “I only involve myself in positive efforts. We’re not demonizing the other side. My reputation is connected to this. We’re keeping it factual. Keeping it positive. To disagree is part of the process…A negative political environment is not good for reigniting the economy and producing jobs and ensuring a better quality of life.”
As for Tuesday’s election, per se, she figures an off-year turnout of about 55 percent. At best.
“I still say it’s 50-50,” says Iorio. “A bare margin one way or the other.”