Jane Castor

Jane Castor
Castor in 2012
Jane Castor
Born	7 12, 1960
Birthplace	Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, former law enforcement officer
Title	59th Mayor of Tampa
Known for	59th Mayor of Tampa; first woman and first openly gay Chief of the Tampa Police Department
Education	University of Tampa (B.S.)

Jane Castor (born December 7, 1960) is an American politician and former law enforcement officer serving as the 59th Mayor of Tampa, Florida. Before entering electoral politics, Castor spent over three decades with the Tampa Police Department, rising through the ranks to become the department's Chief of Police in 2009 — the first woman and first openly LGBT person to hold that position. She served as chief until her retirement in 2015 and was elected mayor in April 2019, becoming the first openly gay person elected to the office. Castor took office on May 1, 2019, succeeding Bob Buckhorn. As mayor, she has focused on infrastructure improvements, public safety, and economic development, including efforts to bring the Tampa Bay Rays to a new stadium in Tampa. Castor is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2027.

Early Life

Jane Castor was born on December 7, 1960, in Tampa, Florida. She grew up in the Tampa area and developed an early interest in athletics and public service. Her sister, Kathy Castor, would go on to serve as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Florida's 14th congressional district. Despite sharing the same surname, the two are not related by blood; Kathy Castor endorsed Jane Castor during her 2019 mayoral campaign.

Castor was a distinguished athlete in her youth, excelling in basketball. She played collegiate basketball at the University of Tampa, where she became one of the program's standout players. Her athletic accomplishments at the university were significant enough that she was later inducted into the University of Tampa Spartans Hall of Fame. Her time at the university shaped both her competitive drive and her connection to the Tampa community, factors that would influence her long career in public service.

Education

Castor attended the University of Tampa, where she earned a bachelor's degree. At the University of Tampa, she was a member of the women's basketball team and distinguished herself as an athlete. The university later recognized her contributions both as a student-athlete and as a public figure by inducting her into the Spartans Hall of Fame.

Career

Tampa Police Department

After completing her education, Castor joined the Tampa Police Department (TPD), beginning a law enforcement career that would span more than three decades. She worked her way through the department's ranks, serving in a variety of capacities that gave her broad experience in policing, from patrol duties to leadership positions within specialized units.

Castor's ascent through the department culminated in her appointment as Chief of Police on September 30, 2009, by then-Mayor Pam Iorio. The appointment was historic: Castor became the first woman and the first openly gay person to lead the Tampa Police Department. As chief, she oversaw a department of approximately 1,000 sworn officers and was responsible for public safety in one of Florida's largest cities.

During her tenure as chief, Castor focused on community policing strategies and efforts to reduce crime across the city. Her leadership of the department was not without controversy. A 2014 incident involving a drug raid that resulted in a fatality drew scrutiny and raised questions about the department's use of informants and the circumstances surrounding certain enforcement operations. Castor later addressed her record as chief during her mayoral campaign, defending the department's practices and her leadership decisions.

Castor served as Chief of Police until May 8, 2015, when she retired from the department after more than 31 years of service. She was succeeded as chief by Eric Ward. At the time of her retirement, it was noted that Castor had been registered as a Republican throughout her law enforcement career; she later switched her party registration to Democratic.

2019 Mayoral Election

In 2018, Castor announced her candidacy for Mayor of Tampa, seeking to succeed term-limited Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Tampa's mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan. Running on a platform that emphasized her extensive public safety experience and her deep roots in the Tampa community, Castor quickly emerged as a leading candidate in the race.

During the campaign, Castor received endorsements from a range of political figures, including U.S. Representative Kathy Castor, who backed her candidacy. Castor addressed questions about her record as police chief, including controversies related to certain enforcement operations, and positioned herself as a candidate who could bring experienced leadership and continuity to city government.

On April 23, 2019, Castor won the mayoral election decisively. Her victory made her the first openly gay person to be elected Mayor of Tampa, a milestone noted by national media outlets including CNN and NBC News. She took office on May 1, 2019, succeeding Bob Buckhorn.

Mayoralty

First Term (2019–2023)

Castor began her first term as mayor on May 1, 2019, inheriting a city that was experiencing significant economic growth and population increases. Her administration focused on several key areas, including transportation infrastructure, public safety, and neighborhood development.

Castor's first term was significantly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020 and required her administration to navigate public health challenges while managing the economic impact on the city. Tampa also gained national attention in early 2021 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV, which was held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The city's sports successes during this period contributed to the "Champa Bay" nickname that Castor and others have referenced in promoting Tampa's profile.

Castor won re-election for a second term, which began in 2023. She is term-limited and cannot run again in 2027.

Second Term (2023–present)

During her second term, Castor has continued to focus on infrastructure development and economic growth. A major initiative of her second term has been efforts to bring the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team to a new stadium in Tampa, positioning the project as a continuation of the city's rise as a major sports and entertainment destination. Castor has framed the Rays stadium plan as the "next step for 'Champa Bay,'" linking it to the city's broader brand as a championship-caliber metropolitan area.

In a February 2026 appearance on WUSF's "Florida Matters Live & Local," Castor discussed the plans for the new Rays stadium, public safety in the Ybor City neighborhood, and the city's approach to federal immigration enforcement policies.

Castor has also pursued improvements to the city's transportation infrastructure. In late 2025, she outlined a plan to address Tampa's traffic congestion through "smarter infrastructure, expanded transit and regional partnerships." The approach emphasized technological solutions and collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions to address the region's growing transportation demands.

In April 2025, Castor delivered her 2025 State of the City address from the Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Park, highlighting the administration's priorities and accomplishments.

Castor has also engaged with international partners during her second term. In February 2026, she met with a delegation from Taiwan to discuss potential smart city collaboration, reflecting Tampa's growing profile in urban technology and international partnerships.

In September 2025, Castor publicly commented on the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities by President Donald Trump, stating that such deployments were "not sustainable" and describing how city leaders were responding to the federal policy.

As of early 2026, Castor's administration includes John Bennett as Chief of Staff. With Castor term-limited and unable to run again, the 2027 Tampa mayoral race has already begun to take shape, with Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak filing to run for the office.

Personal Life

Jane Castor is openly gay, a fact that has been a matter of public record throughout her career as police chief and as mayor. Her election as chief and subsequently as mayor were noted as milestones for LGBTQ representation in Florida public life. She was the first openly gay person to serve as Chief of Police in Tampa and the first openly gay person elected Mayor of Tampa.

Castor has maintained a connection to her alma mater, the University of Tampa, throughout her career. She has lived in the Tampa area for her entire life, a biographical detail she emphasized during her mayoral campaign as evidence of her commitment to the city.

Recognition

Castor's career in law enforcement and public service has garnered recognition from several organizations in the Tampa Bay area. She received the Parke Wright III Award from the Leadership Tampa Alumni organization in 2017, an honor given to individuals who demonstrate significant community leadership.

She was inducted into the University of Tampa Spartans Hall of Fame in recognition of her achievements as a student-athlete in basketball and her subsequent career in public service.

Castor's election as mayor was covered by national media outlets as a significant event in LGBTQ political history. CNN and NBC News both reported on her 2019 mayoral victory, highlighting her status as the first openly gay mayor in Tampa's history and one of a growing number of LGBTQ elected officials in major American cities.

Legacy

Jane Castor's career represents a series of historic milestones for the city of Tampa and for LGBTQ representation in American public life. As the first woman and first openly gay person to serve as Tampa's Chief of Police, she broke barriers in a profession that has historically been dominated by heterosexual men. Her subsequent election as mayor further extended her role as a barrier-breaking figure in Florida politics.

Her tenure as mayor has been defined by efforts to position Tampa as a growing and competitive major American city, with significant initiatives in infrastructure, sports, and international engagement. The effort to bring the Tampa Bay Rays to a new stadium within city limits, if successful, would represent one of the most significant development projects in recent Tampa history.

Castor's career trajectory — from patrol officer to police chief to mayor — is notable for having occurred entirely within one city. Her deep institutional knowledge of Tampa, gained over more than four decades of living and working in the community, has been both an asset and a source of scrutiny, particularly regarding her record as police chief. As her second and final term as mayor draws to a close, the political landscape she leaves behind — including the ongoing mayoral race to succeed her — will shape the direction of Tampa's governance in the coming years.