The 1974 Tampa mayoral special election was held on October 1, 1974, following a primary election on September 10, 1974.[1] Mayor Dick A. Greco, who was elected in 1967 and 1971, resigned on March 28, 1974, to accept a position with the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, a shopping mall developer. Following Greco's resignation, City Council Chairman Richard Cheney began serving as acting Mayor.[2] Cheney initially planned to run in the special election,[3] but he died on June 20, 1974.[4] City Councilmember Lloyd Copeland became acting mayor following Cheney's death, and did not seek a full term in the election.[5]
Seven candidates ran in the special election. City Councilmember Joe Kotvas narrowly placed first in the special election, winning 22.2 percent of the vote, and was closely followed by insurance executive Bill Poe, who won 21.9 percent. In the general election that followed, Poe barely defeated Kotvas, winning 50.4 percent to Kotvas's 49.6 percent, a margin of 368 votes. Kotvas requested a recount,[6] which ultimately upheld Poe's victory.
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