“No matter how lines are drawn on a map, I will continue to lower the cost of living and stand for my Tampa Bay neighbors. That’s why I remain committed to running for re-election in Florida’s 14th district. Governor Don Desantis and Republican lawmakers passed a gerrymandered congressional map to avoid accountability for raising the cost of health care, electric bills, insurance, and groceries. I will not stand for the corruption and waste that is too prevalent in government today. These new maps in Florida are blatantly illegal. ...” (Representative Castor Press Release, 5/1/26)

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To hear directly from candidate Castor, watch this short video:

Democracy is at stake' in redistricting battle

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BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

Kathy Castor  was born in Miami and raised in Tampa. She has a BA from Emory University in Political Science and a JD from Florida State University College of Law. As an undergraduate, she interned for US Senator Lawton Chiles and later became Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Community Affairs. 

 

Subsequently, Castor was in private practice as a land-use attorney. She served on the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners from 2002 to 2006 before election to Congress in 2006. She has held her seat since then.

 

Castor is committed to building a stronger economy that works for everyone. As Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee, she is a leader in advancing energy policies that lower costs for families. Castor serves on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and Communications and Technology Subcommittees.

  

ON THE ISSUES

In Congress, Castor has worked on initiatives to create jobs, lower electric bills, protect the environment and consumers, improve schools, ensure veterans receive the benefits and care they have earned, provide access to affordable health care, and defend protections for people with preexisting health conditions.

 

Bringing better-paying jobs to Tampa Bay is Castor’s first priority. She has successfully fought for new, well-paying job opportunities in Tampa Bay’s small businesses and large economic engines, including Port Tampa Bay, the University of South Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa International Airport, MacDill Air Force Base, and federally qualified community health centers.

 

POLITICS IN FLORIDA

The Tampa and St. Petersburg area, core of  Castor’s current congressional district, has been carved into four Republican-leaning congressional districts, leaving her in a precarious political position. The new 14th District probably would have been carried by Trump by about 11 points in 2024 and three points in 2020. Even in 2018’s blue wave, Republicans running for statewide offices won the district by single-digits.

 

With her experience and proven track record, Castor has a good chance to hold her seat in this political environment. Republicans are not taking this race for granted. 

First elected to Congress two decades ago, Castor’s brand is well-established in the Tampa Bay area. In 2024, she outperformed the top of the ticket by a considerable margin, winning re-election by 15 points in a district that Kamala Harris won by less than eight. But Castor has never faced a competitive general election that requires considerable resources to prevail over Republican efforts.

As a result of recent Florida gerrymandering, the race is rated Lean R by both Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball, meaning Republicans have a small edge but it remains competitive.