Christine Miller, President and CEO of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, has officially announced her intention of running for Hillsborough County Commission, District Six this year.
She said her candidacy is a family affair. Her husband and children are excited to support her in this next endeavor, including driving with her to the elections office to file the paperwork. “When I was called to this act of service I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it without the unwavering support of my family,” said Miller, who is married and has three children.
Miller is the third republican to enter the race, including James Davison and Rico Smith. Two Democrats, Mark Nash and Sean Shaw, have also filed. The seat is currently held by Democrat Pat Kemp, who cannot seek re-election to the countywide seat due to term limits.
It was during COVID that the idea sparked in her to become a public servant. “During COVID in my role at the Chamber I was fighting to keep businesses open and it really spurred a passion in me for service to my community,” she said. Miller, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Economics from University of Massachusetts and a Post Crisis Leadership Certificate from the University of South Florida, decided to further her education. While working full-time and fulfilling her role as a wife and mother of three, she graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Public Administration in 2023, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and earning a prestigious policy research award.
In addition to her family, Miller also received encouragement from State Representative Lawrence McClure, local business leaders and friends. That support has only increased her confidence that she’ll be a resolute decision-maker who’ll address import issues facing the county and its residents.
“Not only do I have this business background where I’ve learned to identify and analyze problems to find solutions but I’m also a wife and mother who knows the importance of being able to pay your bills and put food on the table.”
Thanks to a unanimous vote by the Chamber’s Board of Directors on Dec. 21, Miller will remain at the helm of the Chamber while she’s working on her campaign.