Janelle Irwin Taylor
Republican Kathryn Starkey will seek re-election to Pasco County Commission District 3, she announced Thursday.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished since I was first elected, but we have more work to do. I plan to continue making a positive impact on the important issues facing our community, such as economic development, public safety (Fire Rescue and Law Enforcement), road improvements, and planning for growth. I understand our community and have a firm grasp of the issues and the experience needed to help move Pasco forward,” Starkey said.
Starkey was first elected to Pasco County Commission in 2012. Her district includes parts of Wesley Chapel, Trinity, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes and Holiday.
“Pasco County is growing, and we are on the move. We have new challenges that bring new opportunities, and as we move forward, we must do so in the best interest of the whole county. We have a responsibility to embrace what is coming and continue to make our county the best place in Florida to live, work and raise a family,” Starkey said.
Starkey was born in San Francisco but has lived in the Tampa Bay area for 35 years. Before public service, Starkey worked in marketing and interior design and served on state and local boards as an appointee under Governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott. Those boards included the State Greenways and Trails Council and the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Starkey is also a graduate of Leadership Pasco, Leadership Tampa Bay, and the USF Water Leadership Institute. She also served two terms on the Pasco County School Board where she worked on creating career academies for information technology, automotive, engineering and medical fields.
Starkey is also serving on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee that provides general policy guidance to the United States Trade Representative on trade and development.
Starkey is married to Jay B. Starkey III, an heir to the Starkey Ranch and descendant of one of Tampa Bay’s pioneers for whom Starkey Boulevard in Pinellas County is named.
So far, Starkey is running unopposed for 2020.
Starkey considered running for former Rep. Richard Corcoran‘s House seat in 2017 but ultimately decided to remain in her position on Pasco County Commission.
