Depending on the county’s districting plan, represents their single-member or at-large geographic district and overall countywide interests, as part of the legislative and policy-setting branch of county government. County government is typically responsible for: fire rescue; disaster relief; county jail; constructing and maintaining county buildings, roads, and bridges; providing programs for housing and land conservation, as well as approving the Comprehensive Plan (for development). Unless otherwise provided by county charter, serve staggered 4-years term, with term limit of 8 years, or 2 consecutive 4-year terms. Salary is based on the population of the county set by Florida Legislature or by county ordinance. 2026 Hillsborough County Commissioner salary: $127,320.Each candidate for a seat on the Board of County Commissioners shall be a citizen of the United States of America, a registered voter of the district for which the candidate qualifies at the time of taking office, and a resident of Hillsborough County.Districts 1 - 4 are single member.Districts 5 & 7 are countywide.Term: 4 Years, beginning November 17, 2026
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Education
PhD
Professional Experience
I began my career as a public school teacher before becoming a professor in the College of Education at the University of South Florida. For the past eight years, I have served on the Hillsborough County School Board.
Public Service
Hillsborough County School Board- 2018-2026
Campaign Phone
(813)434-3630
Hillsborough County's two greatest challenges are managing growth and maintaining affordability. Our roads, infrastructure, and public safety resources have not kept pace with rapid growth. We must improve long-term planning, invest in transportation and infrastructure, and ensure new development helps pay for the costs it creates. At the same time, families are struggling with rising housing, insurance, and everyday expenses. County government must be fiscally responsible by eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and prioritizing essential services like public safety while protecting taxpayers and preserving our quality of life.
Affordable housing requires increasing supply while protecting taxpayers and preserving neighborhood character. I support streamlining permitting, encouraging redevelopment in appropriate areas, reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, and expanding public-private partnerships to create workforce housing for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and other essential employees. We must also ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development and promote housing options that are financially sustainable. Responsible growth, sound planning, and a strong local economy are the best long-term solutions to improving housing affordability.
County transportation dollars should be invested where they deliver the greatest safety benefits. I support prioritizing improvements to high-crash intersections, traffic signal synchronization, turn lanes, sidewalks, lighting, and pedestrian crossings. We must coordinate with FDOT, use crash data to guide investments, and require growth to help fund the infrastructure needed to keep our roads safe and efficient.
We must invest in proactive infrastructure that protects lives, property, and our economy. That includes improving stormwater systems, maintaining canals and drainage infrastructure, upgrading pumps where needed, and expanding flood mitigation projects in vulnerable areas. We should strengthen coordination with municipal, state, and federal partners, improve evacuation planning and emergency communications, and ensure new development accounts for flood risks. Preparing before a storm is far less costly than rebuilding afterward, making resilience a smart investment for taxpayers and our community.
Traffic congestion requires a comprehensive approach. We must accelerate roadway improvements, synchronize traffic signals, improve intersections, add turn lanes where appropriate, and ensure growth pays for the infrastructure it requires. Transportation planning should be coordinated across the county, municipalities, and FDOT to maximize efficiency. Public transit should play a role by providing reliable, cost-effective options that meet the needs of commuters, seniors, and veterans, but it should complement—not replace—our road network. Our priority should be practical transportation solutions that improve mobility, reduce congestion, and protect taxpayers.
Safe access to schools begins with strong coordination between Hillsborough County, the School District, municipalities, law enforcement, and neighborhood leaders. I support prioritizing school-zone safety improvements, including sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic calming, signal timing, lighting, and safe pedestrian and bicycle routes. Transportation planning should consider school impacts early in the development process, and regular communication between agencies will help identify and address safety concerns before they become larger problems. Keeping students safe should always be a shared priority.
