U.S. House District 11, Democrat candidates

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
Kim WilmathTampa Bay Times Posted: Aug 04, 2010 07:04 PM

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Tim Curtis

Kathy Castor

U.S. House | District 11

A political novice faces incumbent Kathy Castor in the Democratic primary for the District 11 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Tim Curtis, a local business owner, is in his first run for office. The winner will face one of four Republicans in November. Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

About the job: District 11 includes a large part of Tampa, a chunk of south St. Petersburg and part of northern Manatee County. The Washington, D.C., job pays $174,000 a year.

Click here to scroll down for candidate profiles

Kathy Castor, 44 Tampa	D		Tim Curtis, 53 Tampa	D
Castor served as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Community Affairs in the 1990s, served on the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners from 2002 to 2006 and has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2006.		Experience	Curtis served in the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1995, has been a small-business owner since 1995 and served on the citizens advisory committee to the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners for four years, including two years as chairman.
Earned a bachelor's degree of arts from Emory University in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law in 1991.		Education	Earned an associate's degree from the Hawaii Baptist University in 1988 and a bachelor's of science degree from the University of South Florida in 1992
Supported a new jobs bill in Congress, wants to let the Bush tax cuts expire but favors cutting taxes for middle-class families. Wants to make sure jobs are created around new local light rail.		What is your stance on the economy? What would you do to strengthen it?	"When the federal government spends money foolishly and recklessly, it impacts small businesses." Supports extending the Bush tax cuts.
Supports moving combat troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan by 2011 and is behind President Barack Obama's and Gen. David Petraeus' 2011 deadline for withdrawing from Afghanistan. Castor is skeptical that President Hamid Karzai's government is capable of sustained stability. "Without an effective partner, my skepticism will continue to grow."		What would you do about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?	Does not support a withdrawal timetable. "The deadline is when the commanders on the ground and the guys who really know what they're doing, (Gen. David) Petraeus, first and foremost, say we're done." Cited his military service and son's two tours in Afghanistan as evidence that he understands the importance of winning.
Thinks immigration enforcement should take place at the state level through employers. She also wants greater border security and supports a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. "They'll have to learn English, pay the fees and get in line."		How do you feel about the current immigration policy?	Said reform should start with securing U.S. borders with a fence, patrols and electronic surveillance. Agrees with the Arizona law, but thinks, "if the federal government and Congress would do their job, there wouldn't be any reason for Arizona to reiterate those principles."
Investments, bank accounts, homes in Tampa and Washington, D.C.		Assets	UPS Store franchise
Mortgage on Washington, D.C., home		Liabilities	Small credit card debt
U.S. representative salary, husband's law firm income		Income	UPS Store franchise, military pension
Married with two daughters		Personal	Married in 2007, two adult sons
castorforcongress.com		Website	curtis4congress.com
Kathy@castorforcongress.com		E-mail	tcurtis12@hotmail.com

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