Voters in parts of Hillsborough County officially have their choices for the upcoming Special Election. Here’s what to know.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Voters in parts of Hillsborough County officially have their choices for the upcoming Special Election to fill the vacant State Senate District 14 seat.
The district—which includes south and west Tampa—has been without representation since August, when former Senator Jay Collins was appointed lieutenant governor. With the seat still unfilled as lawmakers head into the 2026 legislative session, the timing of the election has become a major point of debate.
Who’s on the ballot
Only two candidates qualified, one from each party, meaning no primary will be held.
Republican Josie Tomkow: A cattle rancher who has served in the Florida House since 2018. Tomkow resigned her Polk County House seat to run for the Senate.Democrat Brian Nathan: A Tampa resident, Navy veteran and leader within the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union.
Because the candidates are from different parties, voters will go straight to a Special General Election on March 24, 2026.
Why the timing sparked a lawsuit
The election comes 11 days after the regular legislative session ends. Gov. Ron DeSantis faced criticism for waiting weeks to set the election dates—a delay that led the ACLU of Florida to file a lawsuit.
The group argued the governor violated state law by postponing the Special Election, leaving District 14 residents without a state senator during the critical early months of the 2026 session.
Key dates for voters
Voter registration deadline: Feb. 23, 2026Early voting: Begins March 14, 2026Election Day: March 24, 2026