TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Early voting is now underway to replace Tampa City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, who died in June.

There are 13 hopefuls on the ballot, and there is one man who is running as a write-in candidate.

Angela Birdsong is the president of the Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus.

“A lot of Republicans are thinking ‘hey, this is our chance to get in,’ but we are hoping the seat stays blue and Democratic,” Birdsong said.

The sample ballot informs voters that the District 5 Special Election is nonpartisan. Despite this, county Democrats are endorsing nine candidates.

“We have no idea who the top two are going to be, but we know there is going to be a runoff,” Birdsong said.

That likely runoff is scheduled for Oct. 28.  

Meanwhile, county Republicans are backing four candidates. Jake Hoffman, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Young Republicans, has been actively encouraging party members to vote.

“I like to be hopeful,” Hoffman remarked. “I’ve been communicating that if we manage to get a Republican into the runoff, it’s significant. This district isn’t typically friendly to Republicans. So, we will see how it unfolds.”

The district covers Downtown Tampa, Ybor City, East Tampa, Tampa Heights, and a portion of West Tampa.

Out of roughly 45,000 eligible voters, about 25,000 are registered Democrats compared to just under 8,000 Republicans.

Hoffman said his party is not tapping out.

“Historically, there’s been more of a Democratic stronghold in this area of Tampa. Over the past six to eight years, however, we’ve been witnessing a full shift,” Hoffman noted.

Birdsong is confident her party will succeed again.

“This is a majority Black district that was held by a woman who is democrat,” Birdsong said.

Early voting continues through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day is on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WFLA’s Rooted in Progress has interviewed most candidates:

There are other ways to learn about candidates:

Hillsborough’s Democratic Party:

Hillsborough’s Republican Party:

The county’s Democratic Black Caucus:

Hillsborough SOE: