TAMPA, Fla. — This Hispanic Heritage Month, Spectrum News is shining a light on leaders in the community who are making a difference and inspiring others.

That’s the case for the first Hispanic Polk County commissioner, Martha Santiago.

What You Need To Know • Commissioner Martha Santiago is the first Hispanic elected to the Polk County Commission • Santiago ran twice before securing her position as District 4 commissioner • Santiago says since being elected she’s seeing more Hispanics

Santiago likes to stay in the know. “I read a lot because there’s just so much going on in our county.“

She’s in her office a few times a week, but she says the real work is done out in the community.

She first started connecting with the public through her work in education. Santiago was with the

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