Victor Crist

Victor Crist is a former member of the Florida Senate, representing the 12th District from 2000 to 2010 as a Republican. He won his first term by beating Democrat Kathy Castor in the general election. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000.

In the Senate, Crist served as Chair of the Senate's Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee and as Vice Chair of the Senate's Health Policy Committee. Crist, known as an expert on Criminal Justice issues, has served as an advisor on the topic to Florida's Attorney General and Governors.

In the mid-1990s, Crist founded the University Area Community Development Corporation in one of Tampa's more vulnerable communities. Crist served as volunteer Chairman of the board and CEO of the organization for its first 16 years. The University Area Community Development Corporation is a 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to obtain the necessary resources, support, and direction to improve and sustain a thriving community where great social, financial, educational and health-related challenges exist. In the pursuit of this mission, the UACDC works to further strengthen Hillsborough County’s most socially and economically vulnerable neighborhoods through activities, programs, and services. These range from operating a fully programmed, state-of-the-art Community Center Complex to increasing economic development and affordable housing in the areas it serves through innovative partnerships between public and private sectors, as well as a wide range of service providers. Senator Victor Crist is a descendant of U.S. President Zachary Taylor.