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White, Miller win council seats
By KEVIN GRAHAM TAMPA -- Gwen Miller stayed ahead of her opponent from the outset Tuesday and went on to easily win the City Council District 1 race, becoming the first black woman in Tampa elected in a citywide race. Miller gathered 55 percent of the vote to defeat banker Curtis Stokes. "I made history, which I wasn't even thinking about," said Miller, 68. "I was just thinking about winning, and now it's sinking in. Stokes, 34, said he plans to continue working in the community. "We're going to continue to do things to keep my name among the public," he said. Though considered a political newcomer, Stokes had gained endorsements from the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune. Miller, however, received the endorsement of Carole Melhman, 66, an immigration lawyer and activist who ran in the general election but didn't get enough votes to make the runoff. "I'm not surprised (by Miller's win)," Melhman said Tuesday. "I'm hoping and expecting that she rises to the occasion, and she changes status and becomes more active and more involved." In last-minute attempts to get voters to the polls, Miller and Stokes sent out campaign mailers last week. Stokes sent his first, filled with parts of newspaper articles that criticized Miller and questioned her ethics. In response, Miller sent out a flier Saturday calling for voters to ignore "misleading propaganda." Miller's critics often have said she doesn't assert herself enough on issues. "She's not an outspoken person, but she does her homework when she comes to the table," said Charlie Miranda, who currently fills the District 1 seat. Miranda visited Miller at her Ybor City campaign headquarters Tuesday night to congratulate her on a victory. Much like he did during the March 4 elections, state Sen. Les Miller, D-Tampa, Gwen Miller's husband, stayed glued to the supervisor of elections' Web site and gave updates to a room filled with volunteers and supporters. "It's the proudest moment of my life," he said after all the precincts had reported. "She went out and campaigned this entire city. No negative mailouts, and the people respect that. They believe she is a woman that can respect the voters, and I know she can do it." Gwen Miller is ending eight years as a District 5 council member. She will replace Miranda, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor, on Tuesday. Along with other City Council members, Miller will oversee a $660-million budget in the fiscal year 2003.
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