Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

kathy-castor_fb1-1000x800-1.jpg
kathy-castor_fb1-1000x800-1.jpg

Florida News

Kathy Castor Makes Early Endorsements as Florida Democrats Look Ahead to 2022

The daughter of prominent Florida Democrat Betty Castor, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., was first elected to Congress in 2006 and had put in terms on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.  When U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., brought back the Select Committee on Climate Crisis, Castor took a major jump up the ladder as she was picked to lead it. Two and a half years later, Castor still wields the gavel on it. 

One of the leading Florida Democrats on Capitol Hill is throwing her weight around, offering early endorsements in the 2022 eleciton cycle.

The daughter of prominent Florida Democrat Betty Castor, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., was first elected to Congress in 2006 and had put in terms on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.  When U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., brought back the Select Committee on Climate Crisis, Castor took a major jump up the ladder as she was picked to lead it. Two and a half years later, Castor still wields the gavel on it.

Earlier this month, Castor threw her support to U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., who is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Ron DeSantis. Crist, then a Republican, was elected governor in 2006 but he chose to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation in 2010 instead of for a second term. Crist joined the Democrats at the end of 2012 and was his new party’s gubernatorial nominee in 2014 though he came up short against Gov. Rick Scott. Two years later, Crist defeated U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., and he and Castor have often partnered to help Tampa Bay on Capitol Hill.

Castor stressed her support for Crist this week, even as buzz continues to grow that state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will also run for the Democratic nomination.

On Wednesday, Castor insisted she was “proud to endorse” Crist and was “thrilled that he is running to bring Floridians together.”

“Charlie will restore civility, bring decency to our politics and build a Florida for all,” Castor added. “As governor, I know that Charlie Crist will stand up for: voting rights, high quality education, affordable health care, lean energy and clean water — just as he has done during his years of service to the people of our great state.”

<

That was not the only early endorsement Castor made this month. Even before U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., announced she would not run for the Democratic nomination to take on U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Castor backed U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., for the nomination.

“Val Demings stands up for Floridians every day. Her voice is needed in the U.S. Senate now more than ever,” Castor insisted.

While she’s never shown much ambition to run for statewide office or move into the highest level of House leadership, Castor might have the chance to advance through the ranks on Capitol Hill if she plays her cards right. Only 54 and representing a secure Democrat district in Hillsborough County, Castor might just be able to move up the ladder, especially as the top Democrats in charge–Pelosi, U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-SC–are all in their early 80s.

 

Kevin Derby can be reached at [email protected]

 

Author

  • Kevin Derby

    Originally from Jacksonville, Kevin Derby is a contributing writer for Florida Daily and covers politics across Florida.

    View all posts

Archives

Related Articles

Florida News

Great news for Florida’s fishing industry, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a record-breaking 126-day Gulf Red Snapper recreational season for 2025, the longest season since...

Florida News

Some items that gained traction before the March session began were not passed. Here is a small list of legislative proposals that did not...

Florida Government & Politics

Following the shooting at Florida State University (FSU) where two people were killed and six others injured, democratic officials and gun control groups are...

Political News

A bill known as the “Pam Rock Act” has passed both the Florida Senate and Florida House. It awaits the signature or veto of...

Advertisement
Florida Daily
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

HOW WE COLLECT E-MAIL INFORMATION:

If you sign up to subscribe to Florida Daily’s e-mail newsletter, you will provide us your e-mail address and name, voluntarily, and we will never obtain any of your contact information that you don’t voluntarily provide.

HOW WE USE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS IF YOU VOLUNTARILY PROVIDE IT TO US:

If you voluntarily provide us with your name and email address, we will use it to send you one email update per weekday. Your email address will not be given to any third parties.

YOUR CONTROLS:

You will have the option to unsubscribe to our E-mail update at anytime by clicking an unsubscribe link that will be provided in each E-Mail we send.