Biography

Kathy Castor, born on August 20, 1966, in Miami, Florida, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Florida's 14th Congressional District since 2007. Raised in Tampa, she is the daughter of Betty Castor, a former Florida state senator and education commissioner, and Donald F. Castor, a former Hillsborough County judge.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Emory University
  • Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law

• Political Experience:

  • Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Community Affairs, focusing on environmental and growth management laws
  • President of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers
  • Partner in a statewide law firm
  • Hillsborough County Commissioner
  • U.S. Representative for Florida's 11th District ; redistricted to the 14th District

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Committee Assignments:

  • Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
  • Member of the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce
  • Member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party

• Caucus Memberships:

  • Co-chair of the Special Operations Caucus
  • Co-chair of the Academic Medicine Caucus
  • Co-chair of the Children's Health Care Caucus
  • Co-chair of the Air Force Caucus
  • Co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus
  • Member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
  • Member of the Afterschool Caucuses
  • Member of the Rare Disease Caucus

• Legislative Focus:

  • Advocated for comprehensive climate change policies as Chair of the former House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
  • Supported the Affordable Care Act and initiatives to lower prescription drug costs
  • Championed veterans' benefits and services
  • Promoted infrastructure development and job creation in the Tampa Bay area