From Cop to Mayor: Jane Castor Talks Infrastructure, Immigration, and Resilience on The Good Government Show

TAMPA, FL — Mayor Jane Castor may be known for tossing a mean first pitch at a Tampa Bay Rays game, but her real fastball is policy. In a wide-ranging interview on The Good Government Show with Dave Martin, Castor broke down what it means to run one of America’s fastest-growing—and most diverse—cities. From hurricane response to Cuban sandwiches, Castor made one thing clear: good government starts by listening.

“We’re a minority-majority city,” she said. “That means building trust with every community—especially when it comes to law enforcement. Our job is local safety, not federal immigration.” Castor, a former police chief and 31-year veteran of the Tampa Police Department, emphasized that local policing must stay rooted in community trust, not fear. Her message is timely as cities across Florida navigate the implications of stricter immigration enforcement policies.

But Castor’s legacy may be cemented underground—literally. Tampa’s $3 billion PIPES program is replacing century-old water and sewer infrastructure, a project she calls “incredibly well spent.” She jokes that there aren’t ribbon cuttings for sewer lines—but she holds them anyway. “You can’t build a successful city without a strong foundation,” she said. “And sometimes that means cutting a ribbon on a new lift station.”

In the face of two hurricanes last year, Tampa’s emergency response teams fielded over 15,000 calls. Castor, now a national FEMA Advisory Council member, says the storms were a wake-up call for the city and a reminder of Tampa’s vulnerability—and strength. “We didn’t take a direct hit, but the damage was severe. We were back on our feet quickly because we planned for it,” she said. “But we know the next one could be worse.”

From city growth and small business expansion to her beloved boat rides on the Hillsborough River, Castor’s leadership style blends toughness, transparency, and a deep love for the city she’s never left. “I was born here. I’ll never live anywhere else,” she said. “Serving Tampa isn’t just my job. It’s my purpose.”

Listen to the full episode now at GoodGovernmentShow.com