About Christopher
Christopher Carlos Cano, son of Sharon and Carlos Cano III, is a life long resident of Tampa. A third generation Tampanian, Christopher is dedicated to improving his city and community. Growing up during the 1980's and 1990's, Chris has seen firsthand the population boom in Tampa. He is knowledgeable of the changes and issues taking place in the city we call home.
Christopher in the course of his education excelled academically receiving numerous awards including: the Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, The Princeton Book Award, Univision Hispanic Academic All-Star, The President's Award for Academic Excellence, and Salutatorian of Hillsborough High School's graduating class of 2001.
During high school he found his passion for government and leadership. Serving as the Class President and a team co-captain of the Hillsborough High School Football Team he developed many of the basic skills he uses to serve his community today. Christopher was among a select group of students from Hillsborough County to be selected to the 2000 Florida Boys State, where he ran for Governor.
Graduating in 2001 at the top of his class, he went on to serve his country at the United States Air Force Academy, furthering his leadership abilities and educating himself in our nation's history.
Later transferring to the University of South Florida, he graduated with his degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and is currently completing degrees in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration. While working fulltime the entire time he was in college he understands all too well the challenges facing our state educational system as well as the students in it. Having a passion to improve his community, Chris ran for Student Body President at the University of South Florida where he raised awareness of the issues affecting the students and the University.
Motivated personally by then Senator and now President Barack Obama to run for his local precinct committeeman, Christopher was elected in the August 2008 Primary to represent Precinct 227 within the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee for the next four years. He takes his job very seriously and is dedicated to giving back to the community which has given him so much. Since becoming his precinct's committeeman he has orgranized the Wellswood Beautification Project, which is dedicated to cleaning up and beautifying one of Tampa's Historic Neighborhoods.
Chris currently serves on numerous councils and committees across the county and state. As one of the Youth Advisory Council members of the U.S. Public Service Academy in Florida, Christopher is working to ensure those in Congress establish the first civilian service academy. This academy's mandate will be to provide our best and brightest with a world class education just as our other military academies. After graduating these bright men and women will come home to provide service in their local communities rather than heading off to war.
Chris also serves as Legislative Chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Disability Caucus. As Legislative Chair, he ensures that those in Hillsborough County with disabilities have a voice in the legislation that affects them.
Chris is also Chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus's Subcommittee on Young Hispanics. As Chair of this Committee, he works to ensure the concerns of the Young Hispanic Community in Hillsborough County is represented and he works to motivate young hispanics to take part in the political process.
Christopher serves as a member of the Hillsborough Democratic Executive Committee's Platform and Issues Committee. He and other members in open forum discuss and share information relevant to local, state, and national issues which in turn develop into stances that may be used by the Party.
During the 2009 Legislative Session he served as Legislative Intern for State Representative Michael Scionti of House District 58. Under Representative Scionti's guidance and instruction Chris gained an education on the intimate workings of the State Legislature and the hard decisions our representaives have to make. Having one of the best teachers in the Florida Legislature, Christopher is well prepared to tackle the issues at home and those affecting our state.
After witnessing the inability of some in the Florida Legislature to balance cutting wasteful spending while funding much needed services, Christopher was motivated to declare his candidacy for State Representative in House District 60. Now as a State Legislator, Christopher will bring balance to the vicious cycle of give & take by providing fresh and dynamic ideas to support continued prosperity in Hillsborough & Pasco Counties.
