Betty Castor

Betty Castor (b. 1941) is a Democratic candidate for the contested Florida seat in the U.S. Senate election, 2004.

Castor has continually polled higher than any other candidate in the race, although her fundraising has not yet matched up to her main Democratic rivals (Alex Penelas and Peter Deutsch). She touts herself as the only candidate from either party who has previously won a statewide election.

Castor has been endorsed by former U.S. attorney general and Florida gubernatorial candidate Janet Reno.

She is married to Florida legislator Sam Bell, and has six children.

As of April 1, 2004, Castor held a 17-point lead over Penelas, her closest rival, in the primary race: however, nearly half of Florida's Democratic voters remained undecided. [1]

Timeline

1941: Born in Glassboro, New Jersey
1963: Graduated from Glassboro State College; traveled to East Africa
1964: Led first all-female expedition to summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
1968: Completed M.Ed. at the University of Miami
1972: Elected to Hillsborough County Commission
1976: Elected as county commission chair; elected to Florida Senate
1980: Re-elected to Florida Senate
1984: Re-elected to Florida Senate
1985: Designated Senate President Pro Tempore (first woman to hold the post)
1986: Elected as Florida Education Commissioner
1994: President, University of South Florida
1996: Inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame
1999: President, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards

External links

http://www.bettycastorforsenate.com