Castor has continually polled higher than any other candidate in the race, although her fundraising has not yet matched up to her main Democratic rivals (Alex Penelas and Peter Deutsch). She touts herself as the only candidate from either party who has previously won a statewide election.

Castor has been endorsed by former U.S. attorney general and Florida gubernatorial candidate Janet Reno.

She is married to Florida legislator Sam Bell, and has six children.

Timeline

• 1941: Born in Glassboro, New Jersey
• 1963: Graduated from Glassboro State College; traveled to East Africa
• 1964: Led first all-female expedition to summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
• 1968: Completed M.Ed. at the University of Miami
• 1972: Elected to Hillsborough County Commission
• 1976: Elected as county commission chair; elected to Florida Senate
• 1980: Re-elected to Florida Senate
• 1984: Re-elected to Florida Senate
• 1985: Designated Senate President Pro Tempore (first woman to hold the post)
• 1986: Elected as Florida Education Commissioner
• 1994: President, University of South Florida
• 1996: Inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame
• 1999: President, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards