Janelle Irwin Taylor
Nearly the entire Hillsborough County School Board is endorsing Jane Castor for Mayor, her campaign announced Thursday.
Melissa Snively was the only member not to endorse. She has not endorsed Straz either.
But the other six of the board’s seven members are supporting Castor in her race against David Straz.
Those members are Tamara Shamburger, Lynn Gray, Karen Perez, Stacy Hahn, Cindy Stuart and Steve Cona.
“From her actions and her words, it’s obvious Jane Castor values making sure our children can succeed in Tampa, regardless of what neighborhood or zip code they live in,” Shamburger said. “In Jane, our community will have an advocate for stronger education and workforce training. She has earned my vote and the vote of my family and friends to lead this city.”
Castor has been raking in endorsements from local, state and national groups since overwhelmingly making the runoff last month. Those endorsements come from police and fire unions, LGBTQ groups and the Hillsborough County Black Democratic Caucus, among others.
Straz hasn’t announced a single endorsement since the March 5 Municipal Election.
Castor attended public school in Tampa, which the endorsing board members noted in their decision.
“Jane Castor is a product of Tampa public schools, and is ready to fight for more opportunity for every Tampanian in every neighborhood as the next leader of our fantastic city,” Cona said.
As Mayor, Castor would have little policy authority to affect change in public education. Those matters are handled by the school board. But the Mayor has a bully pulpit from which to influence policy.
“For years, Jane has dedicated herself to solving our city’s biggest problems and keeping our community safe. She’s ready to take on the job on day one, and has the experience to move Tampa forward and fight for a better future for our children,” Hahn said.
Castor said she knows “how important a great public school education is for creating opportunity in every one of our neighborhoods.
“As Mayor, I hope to leave this city better than I found it,” she said.
Here are the other statements from board members:
Stuart: “I believe Jane Castor is the only choice to lead Tampa as the city’s next mayor. She offers proven, homegrown leadership, and understands the challenges and issues faced by Tampa residents on a daily basis.”
Perez: “Tampa will be in great hands with Jane Castor as our next Mayor. She’s a committed public servant, who knows the value of a good public school education, and is [a] consummate role model of integrity and leadership.”
Gray: “Jane Castor is the obvious, most qualified choice to improve our city for future generations. As someone who graduated from Hillsborough County public schools, we can count on Jane to fight for our students, our teachers, and families here in Tampa.”
