Show Notes
Kathy Castor served as the Chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, where she led the development of a comprehensive congressional roadmap for clean energy and climate action.
She is a scion of a prominent Florida political family; her mother, Betty Castor, was the President of the University of South Florida and the Florida Education Commissioner.
Before Congress, she practiced as an environmental attorney and served on the Hillsborough County Commission, where she was known as a staunch advocate for environmental protection and smart growth.
She holds a senior position on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, serving as the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
“From her roots as an environmental attorney in Tampa to leading the House’s charge on the climate crisis, Kathy Castor has defined her career by fighting for the health of her community and the planet.”
Kathy Castor: A Climate Leader with Deep Tampa Roots
Representative Kathy Castor’s career is a testament to the power of combining local advocacy with national leadership. As the former Chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, she has become one of the most influential environmental policymakers in Congress, all while remaining deeply tethered to the needs of her Tampa Bay district.
Castor’s commitment to public service runs in the family. She is the daughter of Betty Castor, a trailblazing Florida politician and educator. However, Kathy carved her own path, first as an environmental attorney enforcing growth management laws to protect Florida’s wetlands and coastlines. She then entered elected office as a Hillsborough County Commissioner, where she championed environmental protection and healthcare access.
Elected to Congress in 2006, Castor quickly established herself as a policy heavyweight. Her background made her a natural choice to lead the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, where she oversaw the creation of the “Congressional Action Plan,” a detailed framework that laid the groundwork for major legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act. She is a fierce defender of Florida’s coast, consistently authoring legislation to ban offshore oil drilling to protect the state’s tourism and environment.
Beyond the environment, Rep. Castor is a dedicated advocate for her district’s economic engines. She fights for funding for MacDill Air Force Base, supports the University of South Florida, and works to expand access to affordable healthcare. As the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Oversight Subcommittee, she also plays a critical watchdog role, investigating issues ranging from consumer safety to public health.
Sources Used Official Biography: https://castor.house.gov/biography/
Ballotpedia Profile: https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor
GovTrack.us Legislative Record: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/kathy_castor/412195
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