“Would I have won? Yeah, I think so.”
January 17th, 2007 by Wayne Garcia in WhatnotThat was Dick Greco’s assessment of his chances in a campaign against incumbent Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. But in the end, as every journalist gathered in the room 
already knew, the 50th and 56th mayor of Tampa took a pass on the opportunity to go Grover Cleveland one better by having a third non-consecutive turn in office.
Greco held a newser in the artfully appointed office of his boss, Carl Lindell, to tout his accomplishments, decline to bash Iorio and say that it "is not in my best interest to do this now."
He acknowledged being aware of a "couple, three" polls taken to gauge Iorio’s strength, saying he never saw "a complete poll" but understood that while the current mayor is very popular, she could be beat. Deluged by friends and supporters who want him to take on Iorio, who has made a sea change at City Hall in terms of personnel and culture, Greco could not bring himself to make another push for public office. "I really do love it," he said, "But I’m 73."
Finally, I must point out the irony of Greco announcing his non-candidacy in the office of a car dealership owner, while Iorio formally announced her re-election bid at the former offices of the Ferman car dealership.
(photo courtesy of City of Tampa, tampagov.net. Taken July 9, 2003)
January 17th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Of course he would have won — he and his corrupt friends can’t see it any other way. In fact, he still insists the Republicans held onto contorl of both houses of the US Congress, and are certain that the Hillsborough Expressway Authority is the most honest branch of government around.
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
Okay folks I know this is kind of late getting in but….after the last 2006 election we had I have not had the time to really do my homework on who is the best qualified for the job of Mayor and City Council. Eventhough the election is two months away, if I was to vote today based on name recognition, and reputation, I would vote for Pam for Mayor. Joe Redner for District 1, Mary Mulhern for District 2, Linda Saul Sena for District 3, John Dingfelder for District 4, and Charles Perkins for District 7.
Mark Ferguson
Bramdon Pride President
http://www.unbanned.org