--- title: "Castor vs. Beltran: 2026 Florida’s 14th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-fl-14" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Florida’s 14th District race: Kathy Castor (D) vs. Mike Beltran (R) Rating: Toss-up · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 The 2026 general election for Florida's 14th Congressional District features Democratic incumbent Kathy Castor against Republican challenger Mike Beltran. Following mid-decade redistricting, the district's partisan baseline shifted significantly, converting it into a seat Donald Trump would have won with 54.7% of the vote in 2024 under the new boundaries. The matchup hinges on whether Castor's long-standing district presence can overcome the newly redrawn district's Republican lean amidst debate over inflation, federal spending, immigration, and healthcare. ## Candidates - **Kathy Castor** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.castorforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) - **Mike Beltran** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Beltran) ## Issues ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high Castor advocates for federal economic investments in local infrastructure and anchor institutions, whereas Beltran advocates for balancing the budget, cutting government spending, and deregulating to curb inflation. **Kathy Castor:** Supports middle-class investments and job creation Castor focuses on strengthening the middle class by securing federal grants, funding regional infrastructure, and supporting local anchor institutions. She opposes Republican budget resolutions and tax reconciliation proposals that alter spending levels. - Delivered federal investments for Tampa Bay infrastructure, including the Port of Tampa, Port Manatee, USF, and Tampa International Airport. - Voted against the Republican reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) and FY 2025 budget resolutions. - Opposes spending cuts that target education, students, and middle-class economic investments. > “she stands up to grow the middle class and boost small business owners, guaranteeing that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports spending cuts and deregulation Beltran argues that excessive government spending and regulation drive inflation and raise essential prices. He advocates for strictly limiting federal economic intervention to consumer protection while balancing the budget. - Pledges to balance the federal budget and eliminate government spending waste. - Advocates cutting federal regulations and unleashing American energy to lower prices. - Voted against large entitlement expansions in the Florida legislature to prevent crony capitalism. > “Government caused increases in costs of living. Food, education, housing, and medical care are heavily subsidized and regulated, resulting in unacceptable price increases.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Beltran) > “In Congress, Mike will cut the wasteful spending that drives prices up and keep your money in your pocket.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: high Beltran advocates completing the southern border wall and deporting unauthorized noncitizens, while Castor consistently voted against Republican border enforcement and detention bills. **Kathy Castor:** Opposes conservative border and enforcement bills Castor's legislative record reflects opposition to Republican border security and immigration enforcement mandates. She voted against measures requiring mandatory federal detention of noncitizens for misdemeanor offenses and DUI-related deportation bills. - Voted against the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), which mandated DHS detention for certain noncitizen theft arrests and authorized state lawsuits against federal authorities. - Voted against H.R. 875, which made driving while impaired grounds for deporting noncitizens residing without legal permission. **Mike Beltran:** Supports completing border wall and deportation Beltran aligns fully with Donald Trump's border agenda, advocating for the completion of the southern border wall and strict immigration enforcement. He emphasizes deporting criminal noncitizens to restore law and order. - Supports completing the southern border wall. - Calls for deporting criminals and fraudsters residing in the country without legal status. - Enforces strict immigration laws to protect Florida communities. > “We need to complete the wall.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Beltran) > “We need to finish the wall, deport the criminals and fraudsters, and restore law and order at our southern border.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Taxes and Fiscal Policy Salience: medium Beltran supports making tax cuts permanent and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, whereas Castor voted against Republican tax reconciliation legislation. **Kathy Castor:** Opposes Republican tax reconciliation proposals Castor opposes conservative tax legislation that she views as prioritizing special interests over working families. She voted against federal tax reconciliation packages passed by House Republicans. - Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which modified tax policy, debt limits, and federal program funding. - Aligns with labor unions to advocate for tax policies benefiting working families. > “I will continue to fight against the corrupt politicians and special interest groups prioritizing lining their pockets and pushing corrupt agendas against the working people of Tampa Bay.” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports permanent tax cuts on tips and overtime Beltran supports Donald Trump's Working Families Tax Cut and highlights his record of passing state tax relief in Florida. He advocates for making tax cuts permanent to provide relief for workers and seniors. - Supports eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits for seniors. - Helped deliver state tax cuts and tax holidays on gas and everyday purchases in Florida. - Pledges to make Trump's tax cuts permanent. > “Mike strongly supports President Trump's Working Families Tax Cut, delivering no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and real relief for seniors on Social Security.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Healthcare and Medicare Salience: medium Castor advocates protecting traditional Medicare and expanding community health centers, while Beltran focuses on health system deregulation, telehealth, and free-market competition to lower costs. **Kathy Castor:** Supports defending Medicare and community health access Castor opposes converting Medicare into a voucher program and advocates for expanding community healthcare centers. She utilizes her position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to protect senior healthcare benefits. - Outspoken defender of Medicare against privatization or voucher proposals. - Spearheaded investments in Tampa Bay community health centers and Moffitt Cancer Center. > “Kathy is an outspoken champion for Medicare and our older neighbors. She is fighting back against the recent Republican efforts to end Medicare as we know it, which would increase costs for beneficiaries and prorate senior healthcare through vouchers.” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports free-market healthcare expansion and deregulation Beltran focuses on reducing healthcare costs through competition, deregulation, and expanded telehealth access. In the Florida legislature, he worked to reform health bureaucracies and expand clinic availability. - Reformed state healthcare regulations to facilitate new clinic and hospital construction. - Expanded telehealth access to make healthcare more affordable for seniors and families. - Promotes free-market solutions to reduce prescription drug costs. > “Mike broke up healthcare bureaucracies that blocked new clinics from opening and expanded telehealth access so affordable, high-quality care is available to everyone, especially working families and seniors.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Abortion and Reproductive Rights Salience: medium Castor supports constitutional protections for abortion rights and endorsed Florida's Amendment 4, whereas Beltran supports the Dobbs ruling and state-level restrictions with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. **Kathy Castor:** Supports federal and state abortion rights Castor strongly supports reproductive freedom and endorsed Florida's Amendment 4 initiative to establish a state constitutional right to abortion. She is endorsed by major reproductive rights organizations. - Endorsed Florida Amendment 4 (Right to Abortion Initiative, 2024). - Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and EMILY's List. **Mike Beltran:** Opposes abortion and supports state decision-making Beltran believes the Dobbs decision was correct and that abortion policy should be decided by states rather than federal officials. He supports policies that include exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. - Supports the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. - Advocates for state-level abortion policies with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. - Endorsed by Florida Family Action. > “He believes Dobbs was correctly decided and that states, not Washington bureaucrats, judges, or politicians, should set their own policies that include exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Voting Rights and Elections Salience: medium Beltran supports the SAVE America Act to mandate photo ID and purge noncitizens from voter rolls, while Castor voted against proof-of-citizenship mandates in the SAVE Act. **Kathy Castor:** Opposes federal voter ID and proof-of-citizenship mandates Castor opposes Republican measures that introduce federal proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. She voted against the SAVE Act in the 119th Congress. - Voted against the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), which required documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. **Mike Beltran:** Supports SAVE America Act and strict voter ID Beltran supports the SAVE America Act to mandate voter photo ID, documentary proof of citizenship, and voter roll purges of noncitizens to ensure election integrity. - Pledges to vote for the SAVE America Act in Congress. - Supports mandatory photo ID and citizenship verification for all voters. - Advocates purging noncitizens from voter rolls. > “Mike stands with President Trump and will vote for the SAVE America Act to ensure only American citizens vote in our elections, mandate photo ID, and purge noncitizens from voter rolls.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Foreign Policy and Defense Salience: medium Beltran demands foreign allies bear their own defense costs under an America First framework, whereas Castor focuses on strategic competition with China and military restraint. **Kathy Castor:** Supports strategic competition and military restraint Castor serves on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with China. Her foreign policy stance emphasizes diplomatic caution and military restraint in conflicts outside U.S. national interests. - Member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. - Opposed foreign military intervention in Syria, urging caution and strategic analysis. > “I urge you to be cautious and conservative and fully analyze the strategic aftermath” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports America First foreign policy and burden-sharing Beltran advocates for an America First foreign policy where foreign allies assume greater financial and operational responsibility for their defense. He supports focusing military assets strictly on core U.S. interests and opposing woke agendas. - Demands foreign allies pay their fair share and assume primary defense responsibility. - Focuses U.S. military resources on core national interests and peace through strength. - Opposes woke agendas in the military. > “35 years after the end of the Cold War, and over 80 years after World War II, our allies should assume greater responsibility for their own defense while the United States focuses its military resources on core national interests.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Beltran) ### Education and School Choice Salience: medium Beltran advocates for school choice expansion and parental rights, while Castor supports increased federal funding for public education, Head Start, and student financial aid. **Kathy Castor:** Supports public education funding and student aid Castor emphasizes public education investments, higher education assistance, and early childhood programs. She opposes federal budget cuts targeting public schools, colleges, and student aid. - Supports Pell Grants, student loan programs, Upward Bound, and Head Start. - Opposes Republican funding cuts to public schools and higher education. - Endorsed by the Florida Education Association and National Education Association. > “Kathy believes that every child deserves a good education and she has worked hard to ensure that each student has the chance to succeed through her work with Pell Grants, student loans, Upward Bound and Head Start.” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports school choice and parental rights Beltran championed school choice expansion in the Florida legislature and promises to advance parental rights in Washington. He advocates that parents should have full authority over their children's educational choices. - Championed school choice legislation as a Florida state representative. - Advocates for parental authority over education rather than federal bureaucrats. > “Parents, not bureaucrats, should decide how and where their children are educated.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Environment and Energy Salience: medium Castor focuses on federal clean energy development and coastal conservation, while Beltran emphasizes local community approval and preventing utility rate increases from energy projects like data centers. **Kathy Castor:** Supports clean energy and environmental protections Castor prioritizes coastal ecosystem protection, clean energy policies, and environmental conservation. She previously served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Climate subcommittee and led Gulf Coast restoration efforts. - Promotes clean energy transition, coastal ecosystem protection, and smart growth policies. - Led efforts for Gulf Coast restoration following the BP oil blowout. - Endorsed by the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, and Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida. > “Kathy is a proven leader when it comes to environmental protection, clean energy, smart growth management policies and maintaining a flourishing natural environment.” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports local control over community energy projects Beltran emphasizes local community control over energy and tech infrastructure. He opposes building data centers without local approval to prevent environmental harm or local energy bill increases. - Opposes data center construction in Hillsborough County without local approval. - Demands guarantees that energy projects will not raise local electric bills or damage the environment. > “Mike will fight to ensure no data center is built in our community without local approval and a guarantee it won't raise your energy bills or harm our environment.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Labor and Business Regulation Salience: low Castor emphasizes backing labor unions and saving aviation jobs, whereas Beltran focuses on eliminating regulatory red tape for workers and small businesses. **Kathy Castor:** Supports labor unions and worker protections Castor aligns closely with labor unions and working families, opposing special interest agendas against workers. She recently collaborated with union leaders to help protect aviation jobs in Tampa. - Worked with union leaders to help save 700 jobs at Tampa International Airport. - Endorsed by major labor unions including Florida AFL-CIO and AFGE. > “America is built and runs on unions, and I will continue to stand up for working people.” > — Kathy Castor, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Castor) **Mike Beltran:** Supports occupational deregulation and business growth Beltran focuses on cutting regulatory red tape for workers and small businesses to promote job creation and economic growth. - Eliminated regulatory hurdles blocking qualified workers and small business growth in Florida. > “Mike eliminated red tape that blocked qualified workers from starting jobs and small businesses from growing.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ### Second Amendment and Gun Rights Salience: medium **Kathy Castor:** No documented position in our sources **Mike Beltran:** Opposes red flag laws and gun restrictions Beltran opposes gun control legislation, including red flag laws and magazine bans, advocating for absolute Second Amendment protections in Congress. - Opposes red flag laws, magazine capacity bans, and federal gun control compromises. - Endorsed by Gun Owners of America and the Republican Liberty Caucus. > “No red flag laws, no magazine bans, no compromise. The Second Amendment is absolute and Mike will fight to keep it that way in Congress.” > — Mike Beltran, via [Campaign site](https://beltranforcongress.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/fl-14-house-election-winner) — FL-14 House Election Winner: Democrats 77.5%, Republicans 22.5% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-FL14-26) — FL-14 House winner?: Kathy Castor 75.0%, Mike Beltran 26.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXFLPRIMARY-14R26) — FL-14 Republican nominee?: Mike Beltran 99.0%, Rocky Rochford 1.0%, Gavriel Soriano 1.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXFLPRIMARY-14D26) — FL-14 Democratic nominee?: Kathy Castor 99.0%, Juan Arauz 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-fl-14)