As the Aug. 26 primary election draws closer, the Plant City Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent Plant City and its constituents.
In this edition, we introduce the candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District 7.
District 7 candidates include Republicans Al Higginbotham, Don Kruse, Robin Lester and Tim Schock; and Democrats Patricia “Pat” Kemp and Mark Nash.
PATRICIA ‘PAT’ KEMP, DEMOCRAT
Age: 57
Family: Working mother of two children in college
Hometown: Tampa; born and raised, Washington, D.C., College Park, Md.
Education: Stetson University College of Law
Experience: Lawyer at Bay Area Legal Services and in private practice; award-winning public radio news director and reporter at WUSF and talk show host at WMNF; chief aide to Congresswoman Kathy Castor at the Hillsborough County Commission; legislative aide to Florida State Rep. Sara Romeo
Favorite author and book: I read a lot. The most important book I have read recently is “Florida’s Vanishing Springs” by Craig Pittman.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Mark Twain, a personal hero and I’m sure he would make me laugh.
Website: electpatkemp.com
What would be your top priorities if elected?
Better job opportunities with higher wages to support our families with a more dynamic and diverse economy by growing local businesses and attracting high-quality employers.
Transportation solutions that offer more choices and less traffic by providing more convenient bus service, better roads in the right places and safer pathways for bicycles and walking.
Smart growth that preserves our community character and agricultural heritage by focusing building where roads and services already exist so taxpayers don’t end up subsidizing developers and sprawl.
Protecting our beautiful environment and natural resources — trees, water, air and open spaces — to keep this a great place to live for future generations. Expanding solar to reduce energy costs and pollution while taking advantage of our sunshine to increase jobs.
What are some of the current challenges in Hillsborough County, and what are your solutions to those problems?
Better job opportunities, transportation solutions and smart growth that protects our communities and environment. We can get all this done, achieve it all, but it takes discipline and elected officials who work more for the public interest than private interests.
What are some of the current challenges facing Greater Plant City, and if elected, how would you address those concerns?
The biggest challenge for Plant City is finding the right balance that supports a healthy economy and good jobs while preserving this area’s small-town, friendly character, history and agricultural heritage. We also need to encourage best practices in agriculture to save water and reduce pollution and waste so that everyone is served.
The county has reached out to residents through Imagine 2040 to help determine how growth should take place. How would you like to see the county grow in the next 30 years?
We need to focus growth and revitalization in areas that are already developed and have roads, water and sewer services. This will protect our natural and agricultural lands and create more vibrant, close-knit communities where people of all ages live and work. With a public-transit system built for the 21st century, we’ll have more choices and less traffic headaches. People can live where they want, and get to their jobs with less stress. This will be a place where the best employers want to come to create jobs, and where young people will want to stay and raise their families.
What makes you the best candidate for the commission?
I have a 30-year record of leadership, experience and community service in Hillsborough County that led both the Tampa Bay Times and Tampa Tribune to endorse me as the Democratic candidate for County Commission District 7 (countywide). And as a working mother, I bring a perspective that’s needed on a commission that currently has only one woman and six men.