11 Nov Beyond the Headlines: A Post-Election Conversation with Tara Newsom
With the November 3 midterm elections just behind us, BPW/St. Petersburg-Pinellas welcomed educator and political commentator Tara Newsom on Thursday, November 5, 2026, for a timely post-election conversation.
The program offered an opportunity to look beyond the headlines and consider the election results, the issues that shaped voters’ decisions, and what may lie ahead. For an organization committed to advancing equity for women in the workplace, understanding how elections influence public policy is an essential part of informed civic engagement.
Tara brought both academic expertise and practical government experience to the discussion. A professor at St. Petersburg College, she is also the founding Director of its Center for Civic Learning & Community Engagement, where her work helps students connect their interests, talents, and skills with opportunities to contribute to their communities. She teaches American National Government, with additional expertise in constitutional theory, political parties and elections, international relations, and state and local government.
Her career includes policy and legal roles in Michigan state government and the U.S. Senate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan, a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and an LL.M. in Law & Government from American University Washington College of Law.
Many Tampa Bay residents also know Tara through her work in public affairs broadcasting. She co-hosts “Battleground Florida” on WFLA Channel 8, regularly contributes to PBS’s “Florida This Week,” and contributes to WUSF’s “Florida Matters.” Her TEDx talk, “The Constitution: It’s Personal,” reflects her commitment to making government and civic participation relevant to everyday life.
Tara’s dedication to education has earned her St. Petersburg College’s Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award twice, in 2016 and 2026, along with the 2026 NISOD Faculty Excellence Award.
Thank you to Tara for sharing her perspective and to everyone who joined us. The election may be over, but the work of staying informed, participating in our communities, and making our voices heard continues.