Floridians are casting ballots on Tuesday to select their U.S. House representatives for the next two years, in what has become one of the most closely watched state delegations in the 2026 midterms. The Sunshine State currently holds 27 congressional districts, with Republicans holding a 20-8 advantage over Democrats. But that split could shift further in the GOP's favor under a new congressional map pushed by outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis and passed by the Republican-controlled legislature during a special session earlier this year. The map, which faces ongoing legal challenges, is projected to potentially cut the number of Democratic seats in half.
In the Tampa Bay area, two-term Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna is seeking reelection in the 13th District, where she won 55% of the vote in 2024. Her Democratic challenger this cycle is retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Leela Gray, a newcomer to politics who has emphasized her military background and local roots. The district, which covers parts of Pinellas County, remains a Republican-leaning seat, but Gray's campaign has attracted national attention as Democrats look to make inroads in the region.
Just to the south, in the 14th District, Democratic Representative Kathy Castor is fighting to hold onto her seat amid redistricting changes that have made the district more competitive. Political handicappers rate the race as a toss-up or lean Democratic, with Republican state Representative Mike Beltran challenging Castor. Beltran has focused his campaign on economic issues and criticism of Democratic policies, while Castor has highlighted her seniority and federal funding for local infrastructure projects.
In South Florida, Democratic Representative Lois Frankel is seeking an eighth term, but she is doing so from a new district. After the GOP-led redistricting reshaped the map, Frankel switched from the 22nd to the 23rd District, which now stretches from Boca Raton to Fort Lauderdale. She faces Republican financial adviser Deborah Adeimy, who has campaigned on fiscal conservatism and opposition to Frankel's progressive record. The race is seen as a key test of whether Democrats can hold onto suburban seats in a challenging environment.
Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz, who previously represented the 23rd, opted to run in the neighboring 25th District, a more Republican-leaning area in Broward County. Moskowitz defeated progressive challenger Oliver Larkin in the Democratic primary and now faces former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. The district's demographics make it a long shot for Democrats, but Moskowitz has proven to be a resilient campaigner.
One of the most watched contests is in Miami-Dade County's 27th District, where Republican Representative Maria Elvira Salazar is defending her seat against Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez, a longtime local news anchor. Salazar made national headlines earlier this year when she publicly broke with President Trump over immigration enforcement in a campaign ad, a move that some analysts see as a sign of shifting political winds. Rodriguez has sought to capitalize on that divide, emphasizing his moderate stance and local appeal.
As the results come in, national attention will focus on whether the GOP's redistricting gambit pays off. The legal challenges to the map could still alter the outcome, but for now, voters are having their say. Polls close at 7 p.m. EST. For a broader look at the night, check out our hour-by-hour guide to election night results and early bellwethers to watch.
Beyond Florida, the results could reshape the 2028 presidential field, as midterm outcomes often do. And with control of the House at stake, both parties are bracing for a long night. Stay tuned for live updates as returns come in from the Sunshine State.
