Tampa City Council selects Lynn Hurtak as new member to fill vacancy

TAMPA, Fla. - About two dozen people in Tampa applied to replace a previous city council member, who resigned a few weeks ago as part of a settlement to a public records lawsuit. Tuesday, city council chose Lynn Hurtak.

Hurtak will be sworn in next week for the District 3 seat formerly held by John Dingfelder. 

She will serve on the city council for the next year, and says she's already planning to run for re-election.

Councilman Joseph Citro recommended Hurtak for the position, saying he thought it was important for the new council member to come in with an understanding of how government works, so she can hit the ground running. Hurtak said that's one of the things she brings to the table.

Mayor Jane Castor previously selected her to be a member of the city's charter review commission, which conducts a comprehensive study of all phases of county government every five years. 

Lynn Hurtak

Hurtak's appointment comes as the council is facing a series of controversies. She replaces Dingfelder, who resigned last month as part of a public records lawsuit settlement. He was accused by a local development consultant of using his wife's email account to conduct public business. 

Back in 2021, six days before the Super Bowl where the Buccaneers played on home turf, Dingfelder messaged Brian Ford, the Bucs’ Chief Operating Officer, saying:

"Last time I was on council, council was offered the opportunity to buy a pair of tickets at face value. That doesn't seem to be happening this year. We always work well with you guys and the sports authority. So I was wondering, (and disappointed), why that's not happening this time?"

John Dingfelder

Ethan Loeb, an attorney who had filed a public records request on behalf of a developer whose plans had been opposed by Dingfelder, discovered the texts.

"I don't think you got access to that. I know I sure don't. I am sure his constituents didn't either. It just seemed completely inappropriate," Loeb said.

Loeb wrote up four complaints about Dingfelder in a letter to the city attorney dated February 18.

PREVIOUS: Text messages reveal fuel behind Dingfelder’s resignation

Nearly a month later in a letter to Dingfelder, the city attorney said there are "numerous messages to and from you which create issues with the City of Tampa ethics code." 

The messages are mostly related to his real estate career and potential development of the Showman's Rest Cemetery. He resigned a day later.

But Loeb's letter also includes the insistence he inappropriately urged constituents to lobby other councilors.

It also asserts Dingfelder deleted text messages with councilors that concern city business. 

Loeb included screenshots of texts provided by other councilors that show Dingfelder asking for his question during a meeting to be taken last.

Another shows him strategizing over which issues should be brought up and when.

And finally, messages he did provide show him strategizing with the head of the Straz Center over a $25 million funding request, in which she updates him on another councilor's mindset. 

"These discussions should happen at a public meeting," said Virginia Hamrick of the Florida First Amendment Foundation, "not in text messages outside of public view."

Meanwhile, Councilman Orlando Gudes is facing sexual harassment allegations from his former legislative aide, prompting several city leaders to call for his resignation.

MORE: Tampa mayor says she'd fire city councilman over sexual harassment allegations if she could

Hurtak said she hasn't yet given much thought to the situation but believes she can bring a calming presence to the council.  

"I have a track record of getting along with others. I'm deeply ethical and council knows that," she said after the vote took place. "I think that was a huge point in my favor. I'm going to do the right thing. That's just who I am, that's how my parents raised me. Giving back to the community is just who I am."

Gudes said he has no plans of resigning from the city council, but did step down from his position as chairman. He said he will be vindicated once more documents come out in his case. 

Hurtak will be sworn in Thursday.