Three vacancies in the Florida Legislature will be filled via special elections Tuesday. The seats were all previously held by Republicans.
Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
Florida Senate District 14
Republicans hold a 27-11 edge over Democrats in the Florida Senate. There is one independent and one vacancy. Members serve four-year terms; the even-numbered districts are up for election this year.
District 14 encompasses portions of Tampa and adjacent areas. Republican Jay Collins resigned in August after being appointed Lieutenant Governor.
This district is somewhat competitive. Collins won by a 55% to 45% margin in 2022. The nominees are state Rep. Josie Tomkow (R) and Brian Nathan (D), a Navy veteran and union leader.
Florida House Districts 51 and 87
Republicans hold a large 83-33 margin over Democrats in the 120 seat Florida State House. There are four vacancies. Members serve two-year terms; the next regular elections are in November.
District 51: Julie Tomkow resigned as of yesterday; she is the Republican nominee for Tuesday’s State Senate special election. Tomkow was reelected by a 57% to 43% margin in 2024.
The district bisects Interstate 4, and sits about halfway between Tampa and Orlando in the central part of the state. The nominees are Republican Hilary Holley and Democrat Edwin Perez.
District 87 encompasses primarily coastal portions of Palm Beach County. Republican Mike Caruso resigned in August after being appointed Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller. Caruso was reelected by a 19% margin in 2024.
Among Tuesday’s special elections, this race is drawing the most attention as the district includes Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s primary residence.
Republican Jon Maples and Democrat Emily Gregory each received over 80% of the vote in special primaries held in January.
A special election in District 52 was cancelled. Republican Samantha Scott was unopposed when the lone Democrat that filed withdrew in November. Scott is eligible to be seated after today.
The fourth vacancy is in the Miami area District 113. Republican Vicki Lopez resigned in November after being appointed to the Miami-Dade County Commission. A special primary is scheduled for August 18, with the special election November 3. Those dates are concurrent with the regular election for a two-year term.
Calendar
2026 State Primaries >
- March 31
- April 7
- May 5
- May 12
- Nebraska
- North Carolina Runoffs
- West Virginia
- May 16
- Louisiana (Runoffs June 27)
- May 19
- Alabama (Runoffs June 16)
- Georgia (Runoffs June 16)
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
Other Scheduled Elections
- April 7
- April 21
- Virginia Redistricting Amendment
- May 2
- Texas Mayors*: Arlington, Irving, Lubbock
- May 12
- May 19
- Kentucky Mayors: Lexington, Louisville
Congressional Special Elections
- April 7
- Georgia District 14 Runoff
- April 16
- June 2
- California District 1 (Primary)*
- Special Election (if needed) August 4
- California District 1 (Primary)*
State Legislative Special Elections
- March 31
- Massachusetts House District 5th Essex
- May 2
- May 5
- Michigan Senate District 35
- May 12
- Nebraska Senate District 41 (Primary)
- West Virginia Senate Districts 3 and 17 (Primary)
- May 16
- Louisiana House District 39 (Primary)*
- May 19
- Pennsylvania House District 196
* All candidates compete on the same ballot. If one gets a majority, they are elected. Otherwise, the top two finishers advance to another election that will determine the winner.
