Public Service

Victor is a reformer, and he has worked tirelessly to invoke change for improvement. He was elected to the Hillsborough County Commission in 2010 to represent District 2. Prior to serving on the County Commission, he represented northern Hillsborough County in the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 until 2000. He was then elected to the Florida Senate in 2000, where he served until 2010. During this time, he spearheaded iniatives to improve efficiency and accountability; reduce crime; advance education; grow economic viability; protect consumers, seniors, our environment and natural resources.

His other public service leadership roles include:

  • Appointed by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to serve on the Hillsborough County Historic Preservation Challenge Grant Committee, 2021 – present

  • Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners, 2010 – 2018, Served twice as Vice Chairman

  • Environmental Protection Commission, 2010 – 2018, Served three times as Vice Chairman

  • Aviation Authority, 2010 – 2018, Served as Secretary and Treasurer

  • Florida Association of Counties, 2010 – 2018, Board of Directors

  • Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 2010 – 2018, Executive Committee Member

  • Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2010 – 2018, Past Chairman and Executive Committee Member

  • Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, 2010 – 2018

  • Arts Council of Hillsborough County, 2012 – 2018

  • Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC), 2010 – 2016, Past Vice Chairman, Past Chairman

  • Florida State Senate, member, 2000-2010, Justice Appropriations Chairman 2000 – 2010

  • Florida House of Representatives, member 1992-2000, Corrections Chairman 1994 – 1996, Justice Council Chairman 1996-2000

  • Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation, Chair, 2010, 2004 and 1996, Vice Chair 2009, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2002, 1995

  • Pasco County Legislative Delegation, Vice Chair, 2009, Chair, 2006, 2003, Vice Chair, 2005, 2002

  • Bay Area Legislative Delegation, 1992 – 2010

  • Hillsborough County Enterprise Zone Development Agency Board, 2002 – 2018

  • The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Criminal Justice Task Force, 1992 – 2010

  • Advisor to the U. S. Attorney General on Florida Corrections Issues 1994 – 2010

  • Advisor to Florida Attorney General on Justice Issues 1996 – 2010

  • Southern Legislative Conference, Human Services & Public Safety and Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committees, 1996 – 2010, member

  • Florida Commission On Capital Collateral Regional Counsels,(CCRC) Past Vice Chairman, Past Chairman

  • Florida Digital Divide Council, former member

  • Florida Martin Luther King, Jr., Institute for Non-Violence, Statewide Board of Directors, former member

  • Governor’s Partnership for the Adoption of Children, Board of Directors, former member

  • Florida Commission on Capital Cases, member, 1997-2000, Chairman, 1998-2000, member, 2005-present

  • Hillsborough County Audit Oversight Committee, Chair, 1995

  • Florida A&M; University, Institute on Urban Policy and Commerce, Board of Advisors, former member

  • Hillsborough County Weed & Seed Initiative Executive Committee, former member and Co-Chairman

  • University Community New Image Revitalization Task Force, Former Member and Chairman

  • Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Agency on Bay Management, former member

  • Treasure Island Volunteer Fire Department, former volunteer fire/rescue man