1987 Tampa mayoral election

The 1987 Tampa mayoral election took place on March 3, 1987. Incumbent Mayor Sandra Freedman ran for election to a full term. Freedman became Mayor on July 16, 1986, when Mayor Bob Martinez resigned from office while running for Governor.^[1] Prior to Martinez's resignation, Freedman had already announced that she would run to succeed him,^[2] and raised a significant amount of money.^[3]

Freedman originally faced a crowded field of competitors, including investment banker Bruce Samson and City Councilmember Helen Chavez. However, shortly after Freedman became mayor, Samson dropped out of the race to become President of the University of Tampa.^[3] Chavez emerged as Freedman's main competitors, but shortly before the filing deadline, Councilmember Charles Spicola also announced that he would run. Freedman ended up winning in a landslide, receiving 66 percent of the vote to Specula's 18 percent and Chavez's 13 percent.