Aakash Patel becomes first Republican to file for District 1 seat on Hillsborough Commission
Tampa-based entrepreneur and civic activist Aakash Patel has filed to run as a Republican for the Hillsborough County Commission District 1 seat in 2018. Technically, Patel has filed for 2020. However, incumbent Sandy Murman is expected to step down next year to run for another seat, creating the need for a special election next year. Patel is founder and president of consulting firm Elevate, Inc. and has been extremely active in Tampa Bay-area civic causes in recent years. He currently serves as the chair…