Victor Crist

Victor Crist (born June 21, 1957) is a former member of the Florida Senate, representing the 12th District from 2000 to 2010. He served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 60th District, from 1992 to 2000. He was elected as a Republican in districts where the majority of the voters were registered Democrats. Crist served on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, representing the 2nd District, from 2010 to 2018.

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 has served as an advisor on justice issues to Florida's Attorneys General and Governors.

He started Metropolitan Communications, Inc., in 1983 while still an undergraduate student working through college. In the mid-1990s, Crist founded the University Area Community Development Corporation in one of Tampa's more vulnerable communities. Crist served as chairman of the board and CEO of the organization for its first 16 years.