Sara Romeo
Sara Romeo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 60th District | |
| In office November 7, 2000 – November 5, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Victor Crist |
| Succeeded by | Ed Homan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 23, 1949 Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Walter Dante, Paul Burton, Chloe Ann |
| Education | Hillsborough Community College (A.A.) University of South Florida |
| Occupation | Nonprofit consultant, grant writer |
Sara Romeo is a Democratic politician and nonprofit executive who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002.
Education and career
Romeo was born in Galveston, Texas, and moved to Florida in 1950. She attended Hillsborough Community College, receiving her associate degree in 1973, and attended the University of South Florida from 1973 to 1975.[1] She operated a furniture store in Ybor City,[2] and served as President of the Ybor City Merchants Association[3] and the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce.[1] In 1999, she became the Executive Director of Artists Unlimited, an arts nonprofit that ran educational programs and hosted artists.[4]
Florida House of Representatives
In 2000, when Republican State Representative Victor Crist was term-limited, Romeo ran to succeed him in the 60th District, which was based in north Tampa.[5] She won the Democratic nomination unopposed after her only opponent in the race withdrew.[6]
Romeo faced surgeon Ed Homan, the Republican nominee, in the general election.[7] She was endorsed by both the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune over Homan. The Times praised both as "thoughtful, active in the community and current on the issues," but noted that "Romeo sees a need for change in Tallahassee on some important issues" while "Homan supports the status quo[.]" It argued that "Romeo offers the most promise" to be the "kind of representative" who would "make every effort to embrace the underclass as well as those who know how to work the political system."[8] The Tribune likewise praised both as "intelligent and well-motivated," but noted that "Romeo looks to be more interested in the many diverse challenges facing Florida," and that her "many years of community service, her energy and her outgoing personality also would likely serve her—and constituents—well in Tallahassee."[9]
On election night, though Homan took an early lead, Romeo ended up narrowly defeating him,[10] winning 50.5 percent of the vote to Homan's 49.5 percent, a margin of 336 votes.[11]
In 2002, Romeo faced a rematch with Homan. Following the 2000 Census, the district was redrawn to remove much of the University of South Florida campus and add in New Tampa to make it more Republican-friendly.[12] She ultimately lost re-election in a landslide,[13] receiving 42 percent of the vote to Homan's 55 percent and Libertarian Ryan Conley's 3 percent.[14]
Post-legislative career
In 2010, Romeo announced that she would run for the Tampa City Council in District 1, but ended her campaign later that year, opting to focus on community serve as Executive Director of Tampa Crossroads, a nonprofit organization focused on ending veteran homelessness.[15]
References
- ^ a b "Sara Romeo". Florida House of Representatives. 2000. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Ripley, Jackie (September 15, 1991). "High tech meets retro". St. Petersburg Times. p. 9. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hoskinson, Charles (July 25, 1994). "Popularity trashes streets of Ybor City". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1B. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Marger, Mary Ann (February 25, 2000). "For artists, unlimited potential". St. Petersburg Times. p. 33W. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Frates, Chris (June 17, 2000). "5 candidates vying for District 60 seat". The Tampa Tribune. p. Plant City - 15. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Frates, Chris (July 22, 2000). "Gore decides not to run in House race". The Tampa Tribune. p. Northeast - 1. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Wilkens, George (September 9, 2000). "District 60 canddiates plan to hit the streets". The Tampa Tribune. p. Plant City - 3. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sara Romeo for District 60". St. Petersburg Times. October 17, 2000. p. 10A. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sandler, Michael (November 9, 2000). "House District 60 race won by smallest margin". St. Petersburg Times. p. 7B. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sara Romeo for House District 60". The Tampa Tribune. October 20, 2000. p. 18. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "November 7, 2000 General Election - Official Results - State Representative - District: 60". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 2000. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Zimmer, Josh; Coats, Bill (September 15, 2002). "New battles shape up as lively". St. Petersburg Times. p. 45671. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Testerman, Jeff (November 6, 2002). "Homan unseats Romeo in second attempt". St. Petersburg Times. p. 4B. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "November 5, 2002 General Election - Official Results - State Representative - District: 60". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 2002. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "Romeo drops out of city council race". The Tampa Tribune. November 21, 2010. p. Metro 13. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.