Name: Sharon Calvert
Age: 54
Residence: Lutz
Occupation: resigned as business analyst to focus on campaign
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: co-founded Tampa Tea Party and NoTaxForTracks.com, Citizens Advisory Committee to County Commission, Board Member of Florida Alliance
Office being sought: Hillsborough County Commission District 2
Why are you running for this office?
I am a citizen, not a politician, who believes it is time for new ideas to be brought to the County Commission. I am a native of Florida and a 35 year resident of Hillsborough County where my husband and I raised our 2 daughters and enjoyed our community. My active leadership in grassroots efforts to limit the size and scope of government led to my decision to run for County Commission. We need dynamic thinking and new solution modeling aimed to make ALL of Hillsborough county the most robust, competitive and business friendly county in the region.
What are your top three priorities?
Jobs and Smart Economic Development – the most important issue we face. Building an environment for businesses to start, prosper or relocate should be our first goal. Increased transparency, reduced fees, less red tape and low taxes will enable us to produce greater economic growth, resulting in more prosperity for ALL of Hillsborough County.
Fiscal Responsibility AND Accountability – let’s truly “put the checkbook online” down to the individual transaction level providing access to actual expenditure documents – the grant, contract, purchase order, check. Citizens have a right to know where their money is spent and to whom the checks are written. I believe in zero based budgeting to help eliminate waste and keep our wants within our means. All contracts should be procured through a transparent bid process.
Think in the long term – a balanced budget today does not necessarily translate into a balanced budget tomorrow.
Why should voters choose you?
I qualified to be on the ballot by petition which demonstrates I am getting out there in the community, listening to the concerns of voters and meeting the electorate. I believe that citizen legislators can represent Hillsborough County better than career politicians. I seek this opportunity with a pledge to serve you, and I do not seek this office as a career. I strongly support Free Market policies to create private sector jobs. I am an advocate for small business and entrepreneurship that has always been the engine of our economy. I do not have ties to special interests.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
My degree from USF is in finance and I have 30 years of private sector business experience. I co-founded, led and built the local Tea Party in Hillsborough County. I led a citizen coalition in 2010 to educate voters and successfully defeat a sales tax referendum for light rail. I have been a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the County Commission for 1 1/2 years. I am currently on a subcommittee team that has proposed and gained approval by the County Commission to implement reforms to the nonprofit funding process. As a Board member of the Florida Alliance, I facilitate communication and collaboration across a coalition of grassroots organizations in Florida. I am a taxpayer advocate and was honored to be invited to testify at the House Congressional Transportation Stakeholder Hearing in DC last year representing for the first time, the taxpayer.
Name: Victor Crist
Age: 55
Residence: Tampa
Occupation: advertising agency owner
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: 2010-present Hillsborough County Commissioner District 2; 2000-10 State Senator, 1992-2000 State Representative
Office being sought: Hillsborough County Commissioner District 2
Why are you running for this office?
During these challenging times, Hillsborough County Commission needs an honest leader that has the experience, knowledge and drive to get the job done. I have a strong proven track record of integrity, working with the community and cultivating partnerships to achieve efficient and effective results. As a small business owner, I understand how hard it is to succeed. I would work to improve government efficiency, protect our financial stability, grow our economy and sustainable jobs, while ensuring public safety. I am the only candidate in District 2 with a proven record of reforming government and cutting taxes.
What are your top three priorities?
1. Stimulate economic and job growth. I would work to improve collaboration with the chamber of commerce, Tampa Bay Partnership, USF and our municipalities to create effective public/private partnerships. I would work to bring emerging industries into the county, such as biotechnology and the opportunities surrounding USF.
2. Improve government efficiency. I would work to protect our financial stability, i.e. our AAA bond rating while ensuring public safety. I am opposed to new taxes and favor strategic cost cutting where possible. We need to focus on the county’s core mission and the critical services needed to achieve our primary objectives.
3. Require accountability and results from every county program and position. I will work to establish policy that requires every county budget line item be tied to reaching our primary goals. We need to establish a scorecard with a time line to track our progress.
Why should voters choose you?
I am the only candidate in this race who has an effective, proven track record of cutting taxes, reforming government, improving services and creating jobs. Like my neighbors in District 2, I am concerned about the future of Hillsborough County. From proposed tax increases to multi-billion dollar budgets, there is a lot at stake. I believe we need effective leadership with valuable experience and proven results on our commission now more than ever. I will bring common sense, practical solutions to create jobs, grow the economy, improve government efficiency and keep our communities safe.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
I graduated from USF with degrees in communications and business. For 30 years, I have owned a successful small business and been a resident of our district. As the long time president of the USF Area Community Civic Assn., I have worked with citizens and successfully fought for road improvements, storm water improvements, transportation improvements, crime reduction, neighborhood services, economic and job development and parks and recreation, among many others. I have a long proven track record of working with and servicing our communities. As a part time State Representative and State Senator I fought for and established meaningful major reforms like “10 -20-Life” the “3 Strike Violent Felony Offender Act,” requiring insurance companies to cover screening for cancer in annual medical exams, lowering taxes, downsizing government and creating jobs. As your current County Commissioner I have continued the good fight of improving our quality of life in Hillsborough County.
