30 under 30 – Page 5 – SaintPetersBlog

Meet Christina Barker, one of the ’30 under 30′ rising stars of Florida politics

Published on October 19, 2015 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Mitch Perry

Thirty-year-old Pasco County resident Christina Barker has been working as Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s special assistant since December, but her public profile rose this summer when City Hall staffing changes made her Buckhorn’s interim director of communications. Barker became politically aware after John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid, and was totally inspired by Barack Obama’s run for the presidency in 2008. It was then, she said, she decided to pursue a career working in the political arena. After finishing graduate school…

Keep Reading

Meet William Arnold, one of the ’30 under 30′ rising stars of Florida politics

Published on October 19, 2015 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Melissa Ross

At the ripe old age of 29, Contribution Link’s William Arnold already has built a reputation as a data wizard. Originally from Jacksonville, Arnold got his start in politics working for former Jacksonville City Councilman Stephen Joost while he was still in college. He then moved on to stints under Rick Scott and Adam Hollingsworth, among others. “Their trust encouraged me to convert a lifelong passion into a career. I am forever grateful to all three,” he says. Known as…

Keep Reading

Meet Keaton Alexander, one of the ’30 under 30′ rising stars of Florida politics

Published on October 19, 2015 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

Keaton Alexander didn’t fall far from the family tree. Her great-grandfather, Ben Hill Griffin Jr., was in the Florida Legislature and ran for governor in 1974, losing the Democratic primary to Reubin Askew. Her father, JD Alexander, was a Florida state representative and senator for 14 years. And her sister, Britton, was press secretary for the Senate’s Republican caucus. Keaton’s heart was in dance, she says, specifically musical theater, but politics called. She is the Florida financial coordinator for former Gov. Jeb Bush‘s 2016 presidential campaign. “I…

Keep Reading