Kevin Steele is closing out the Republican Primary in Florida’s 14th Congressional District with fresh backing from the Legislature’s Tampa Bay bench.
The Steele campaign announced endorsements from state Sen. Danny Burgess and state Reps. Lawrence McClure and Karen Gonzalez Pittman ahead of the Aug. 18 Primary, with early voting already underway across the district.
“Having served alongside Representative Steele, I have witnessed firsthand his steadfast commitment to our veterans, his deep faith, and his devotion to family and country. Kevin leads with principle, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the values that have long defined this nation. At a time when strong, grounded conservative leadership matters more than ever, I am proud to endorse Kevin Steele for Congress,” Burgess said.
“Kevin’s background in business and his understanding of the importance of agriculture to our local and state economy is unparalleled in this race. I’m certain he will be a solid vote for President Trump’s agenda in Congress,” McClure said.
Gonzalez Pittman, a Tampa native herself, said it matters to have someone in Congress who grew up in the area. “Kevin is a native son of Hillsborough County. He was educated in our public schools and played games in our neighborhoods. His story is the American dream, and he can count on my support,” she said.
“Senator Burgess and Representatives McClure and Pittman are tireless fighters for what is right and strong supporters of President Trump’s Make America Great Again agenda. I am so humbled by their endorsements and support and hope to work with them to preserve and protect Hillsborough County’s conservative values in Washington,” Steele said.
The legislative trio deepens what was already the broadest endorsement portfolio in the field. Steele has all three Cabinet members in his corner, with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Attorney General James Uthmeier lined up behind him, per Florida Phoenix reporting, and the retired healthcare technology executive has put $2.5 million of his own money into the race.
The stakes explain the crowd. Steele is one of eight Republicans chasing the nomination in the redrawn CD 14, which flipped from a seat Kamala Harris carried by 7 points to one Donald Trump carried by more than 10 under the new map, Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry reports. Waiting in November is U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, the Tampa Democrat who has held the seat for 20 years and won her last race by 15 points. Sabato’s Crystal Ball recently moved the contest from leaning Republican to toss-up.
The rollout also turns the page on a bumpy stretch for the campaign. Steele, who grew up in Hillsborough County, resigned his Pasco-based House seat effective Aug. 5 after his Hillsborough voter registration for the congressional run raised questions about HD 55’s residency requirement. Steele has said he “already lived in and had voted in the district,” per the Phoenix.
In an eight-way scrum, the winner is usually the one with the most money and the most megaphones. Ten days out, Steele holds both.
