Florida Rep. Kathy Castor gets boost from national Democrats to keep her Tampa seat

Shauna Muckle, Tampa Bay Times on May 18, 2026

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TAMPA, Fla. — National Democrats are jumping in to protect incumbent U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor as she faces an uphill battle for reelection in a redrawn congressional district that is now red-leaning.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Castor is a new member of its “frontline” program for vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the House. The move offers her campaign more visibility and could potentially steer funds her way.

Castor announced earlier this month that she’ll run in District 14, which she currently represents, after Florida Republicans implemented a new congressional map. The redrawn district covers South Tampa and southeast Hillsborough County. It would have gone for President Donald Trump by more than 10 points in 2024.

Cook Political Report rates the seat as “leans Republican,” making it one of the most competitive races in the country as Democrats fight to reclaim a House majority in November. Two Democrat-held House seats in South Florida are also considered very competitive under the new congressional map, according to the ratings site.

“Kathy is a battle-tested incumbent with a long record of delivering for her Tampa Bay community,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairperson Suzan DelBene said in a statement. “While Washington Republicans attempt to rig Florida’s map in their favor, it’s clear Kathy’s stellar record of results will ensure she is reelected this fall.”

Republicans, meanwhile, consider Castor’s seat a key pickup opportunity in their bid to maintain their House majority.

Two high-profile GOP challengers have entered the race since its boundaries changed: state Rep. Kevin Steele of Pasco County and former state Rep. Mike Beltran, who represented parts of Hillsborough and Manatee counties through 2024.

Beltran launched his campaign over the weekend with $1 million of his own money. He casts himself as a “proven Trump conservative” who has represented southeast Hillsborough before. He listed dozens of endorsements from members of Trump’s legal team, state legislators and other local leaders, including Hillsborough County Commissioner Josh Wostal and two Manatee commissioners.

Both Steele and Beltran have shown they’re willing to draw upon their own money in the race, posing a threat to Castor, who had raised almost $900,000 for her reelection effort as of March 31.

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