TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa mayoral campaign switched into a higher gear when all seven declared candidates gathered for a debate Tuesday night.
It was hosted by "Walk Bike Tampa" at the new Sparkman Wharf and focused on transportation issues.
A key priority: making sure children who need to walk to school get there safely. Bus service for some schools was cut for students living within two miles of campus.
Bike safety across the city is also a major concern with the candidates running for mayor.
Other candidates talked about why Tampa needs a transit system to keep up with other major cities.
By law, Tampa requires 37 percent of funds must be spent on bicycle, pedestrian or road safety projects.
The first round of voting begins March 5. If no one gets more than 50 percent, then the top two candidates will face each other in a run-off with the winner taking office May first.
The candidates aiming to replace Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who cannot run again because of term limits, are Jane Castor, Harry Cohen, LaVaughn King, Topher Morrison, David Straz, Mike Suarez and Ed Turanchik.
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