Is Pam Iorio Running?

News reports send out mixed signals about Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's political ambitions. The Hill speculates Iorio may run for a statewide office in 2010. Iorio being female, a Mayor and near the I-4 crridor makes her an electable candidate. The Mayor released a statement saying she will not run for any public office next year.

“My four year term as mayor does not end until March, 2011 and I believe that running both the city of Tampa and a state-wide campaign at the same time over the next 18 months would short change the citizens of Tampa,” Iorio said.

Iorio said in 2002 she would not run for Mayor. Her reasoning was there was much work to be done in the Supervisor of Elections office. We know now she ran. Iorio could make a future announcement about running for Chief Financial Officer. Color me skeptical, but I don't see the wonky Iorio with a burning desire to go back into the private sector.