The City of Plant City municipal elections are slated for April 8. No one entered the city commissioner Group 2 race—which is the seat currently held by Mayor Nate Kilton. In this situation, the lone contestant is declared the winner, and there is no vote needed for the seat. Camryn Henry qualified to run for the Group 1 seat currently held by Vice-Mayor Jason Jones. Most Plant Citians don’t realize city commissioners not only spend time just at the Regular Meeting of the City Commission twice a month. They also review documents to make decisions before the meetings, attend events in Plant City, and represent Plant City in other meetings in the region. The term for this seat is three years. Annual compensation for the position is $9,741.59.
Henry took the time to answer questions about her candidacy:
1. Why are you running for this position?
I am running for city commissioner because Plant City deserves leadership that puts families, farmers, and first responders first—not politics. As a citizen, I’ve seen the challenges and opportunities in our community. I want to ensure our city thrives year-round by revitalizing downtown, supporting our local businesses, and making Plant City a place where people want to live, work, and invest. Unlike career politicians, I am not looking to use this as a stepping stone. I simply want to serve my community and make sure the decisions made at City Hall reflect the best interests of the people who live and work here.
2. What experience do you have that would lend itself to being a good city commissioner?
My background has given me a strong foundation in working within regulations, problem-solving, and using resources efficiently. With experience in emergency management and resiliency programs at a major utility company, I understand the balance between policy and real-world impact. My education in Public Health has further shaped my ability to assess community needs through a social-ecological lens. I have developed reports, response plans, and tracking dashboards to meet regulatory requirements while engaging directly with constituents to explain policies and ensure resolutions align with guidelines. This experience translates well to the role of city commissioner, where navigating budgets, infrastructure projects, and local ordinances must prioritize residents.
3. Why would your experience lend to serving as a city commissioner?
Every decision a city commissioner makes has real-world consequences, and my experience has prepared me to navigate regulations while continuously seeking better outcomes. I will ask tough questions, listen to the community, and work to ensure that growth benefits everyone, not just a select few. In my profession, I regularly coordinate with multiple stakeholders, balancing corporate and public policies, operational constraints, and community needs. These experiences have strengthened my ability to find solutions that drive improvement and create greater efficiencies—an approach I will bring to city leadership.
4. What do you think would be difficult about serving as a city commissioner?
One of the biggest challenges is cutting through the red tape and making sure government policies truly serve the people. Too often, decisions are made without considering how they affect families, small business owners, and first responders. I also recognize that there will be differing opinions on how to move Plant City forward. I welcome those conversations because real leadership means listening, learning, and standing firm in doing what’s right for the people.
5. In your estimation, in what direction are city commissioners leading the city?
Plant City is growing, and there have been some positive steps taken to develop our community. However, we need to ensure that growth benefits the people who live and work here. I want to make sure our entire community is prioritized in that growth.
There’s also a need for more transparency in decision-making. People shouldn’t have to dig through complicated reports to understand where their tax dollars are going. I believe in clear, open communication between City Hall and the people of Plant City. As required, the City of Plant City publishes and shares reports that contain notable outcomes. As an interested citizen, I have read through a handful of these reports and have recently noticed the difficulty of identifying where public spending and efforts are prioritized. For example, when reading the “Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan,” there is little discussion on funding of the developments and city growth (including funding related to public safety).
6. What would you do that is the same?
I support efforts to improve our local economy, maintain our agricultural heritage, and enhance public safety. I want to continue investing in our first responders to ensure they have the resources they need to protect our community. I also support initiatives that keep Plant City’s charm intact while encouraging responsible growth. I will also continue fostering community engagement by attending local events, listening to residents, and working with local business owners and farmers to understand their needs.
7. What would you do that is different?
Downtown Revitalization: I want to make Plant City a place where people want to visit year-round—not just during Festival season. We should be supporting local businesses, hosting more community events, and making downtown an economic hub.
Small Business & Farmer Support: Many local businesses and farms struggle with resources, zoning issues, and access to funding. I will work to cut unnecessary regulations and ensure our agricultural and business communities have the support they need to succeed.
Government Accountability: I will make city finances more transparent and ensure every tax dollar is used effectively to benefit our community.
8. Is there anything else you would like to say to voters?
I am not a politician. I’m a citizen who wants to see Plant City thrive. I’m running because I care about our families, our farmers, and our first responders—the very people who make this city great. I believe in a government that works for the people, not for political gain. Plant City has a bright future, and I want to make sure we are making the right choices today to build a stronger tomorrow. I would be honored to earn your vote and serve as your city commissioner.
9. How did you garner the endorsement of Firefighters local 2103? Do you have a
connection to firefighters? If so, what is that?
As I believe that transparency is critical, I do live with, and share a life with, a first responder. I see their challenges and impacts first-hand, and this is part of why our local departments mean so much to me. The Plant City Professional Firefighters Local 2103 is the unionized group of firefighters within Plant City Fire Rescue.