The Democrats quickly responded to Republicans targeting Tampa Representative Kathy Castor.
Florida’s 14th Congressional District includes Tampa and Hillsborough County. The National Republican Congressional Committee announcement puts a focus on the Central Florida district.
In response to news that Republican candidate Mike Beltran was added to the NRCC’s “MAGA Majority,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee quickly released a statement attacking “MAGA Mike.”
“Consider it confirmed: Mike Beltran is an extremist who will always put Donald Trump and his national party bosses ahead of Floridians,” stated DCCC spokesperson Anna Elsasser. “Beltran was Republican leaders’ second choice, and now they’re stuck fighting a losing battle in a dummymandered seat that’s already backfiring. Voters already know Beltran’s extremism and long record of opposing efforts to lower health care and housing costs while Floridians struggled to make ends meet. Now, he wants to bring that same unpopular record to Washington and rubber stamp an agenda that’s jacking up the cost of everything. Beltran is only running to be a yes-man for the most extreme voices in his party, and he will lose to Kathy Castor in November because of it.”
Defending Democratic incumbent Congresswoman Kathy Castor, the DCCC has said Beltran is “too extreme even for his own party” and an ““ultra-conservative.” Democrats say Rep. Castor has a record of getting things done in Congress, consistently delivering federal investments for the Tampa area and Central Florida region, expanding health care coverage for children and families, fighting utility monopolies to ensure lower costs for ratepayers, securing critical infrastructure funding, championing veterans’ services, and standing on the front lines against every attempt to gut Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.
The DCCC says the contrast between these two candidates could not be clearer, and for families in Florida’s 14th congressional district already struggling with rising costs, it could not matter more in this election year.
It is clear Republicans are ready to target and attack Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor, and Democrats are ready to defend her seat in Congress. This race is a top target for both political parties in Florida.
Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor is Tampa Bay’s voice in the U.S. Congress. She was first elected in 2006, representing Florida’s 14th Congressional District which included Tampa and St. Petersburg, as well as parts of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County prior to redistricting. She is the first woman to represent both Hillsborough County and Pinellas County in Congress. Republicans hope to flip this seat, and it will likely play a role in determining control of Congress.
