Janelle Irwin Taylor
The Tampa Bay Times is endorsing Jane Castor for Tampa Mayor, her campaign announced Friday.
The paper’s editorial board said they chose Castor because of her “experience, steadiness and forward-looking agenda to maintain Tampa’s momentum.”
“I am both excited and honored to have receive the endorsement of the Tampa Bay Times, a paper I’ve read since growing up here as a kid,” Castor said.
“My years of service to our incredible community, whether walking the streets as an officer, or as the first woman Police Chief in this city’s history, have given me the experience and skills to lead Tampa into a brighter future. We’ve started on the right path; together, we can make this city better than ever.”
The Times said Castor was “uniquely qualified to grow the city’s economy, make Tampa safer, and tackle issues from transportation, to affordable housing, and more.”
The Times endorsement highlighted five key areas in which it determined Castor was the most qualified. The Editorial Board said Castor was the most qualified candidate for maintaining Tampa’s national profile and civic pride.
They also wrote that she was “warm and approachable” making her a good ambassador for the city.
The endorsement also commends Castor for helping lead the Tampa Police Department through the Great Recession saying that experience prepares her to usher the city through any future economic slowdowns.
“Castor has the best combination of experience, knowledge and temperament. Her vision for Tampa, management expertise, knowledge of city government and people skills would enable her to keep the city moving,” the endorsement (which they call a “recommendation”) said.
“As police chief, she was comfortable in public and poised in crises. Though being mayor is far different, Castor’s involvement as a board member or volunteer with a range of social services organizations broadens her perspective.”
The Times endorsement comes on the heels of another strong week of support from Tampa investor and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, the Tampa Police Benevolent Association, Equality Florida, and Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez.
