Kathy Castor posts $1M quarter as she prepares to defend redrawn CD 14

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor raised $1 million in the second quarter as a new congressional map forced her into a battleground seat.

“Kathy Castor has never backed down from a tough fight, and this fundraising report shows the overwhelming strength of her community standing behind her, even when extreme Republicans unfairly redraw district lines” said Castor Campaign Manager Sarah Green.

“Families across Tampa Bay know Kathy delivers results and fights for the issues that matter most around their kitchen tables — from lowering health care and energy costs to protecting veterans’ benefits for servicemembers and their families. That’s the work she’ll continue in Congress. This campaign is building the resources necessary to communicate that record, hold this seat and keep fighting for Tampa Bay families.”

The support comes entirely from outside contributions to her campaign, including from 7,681 individual donors. Most of those were small donations of less than $100.

That means the Tampa Democrat has raised more than $2 million as she seeks an 11th term in Congress. She closed June with $1.3 million in cash on hand.

Castor previously represented a fairly safe Democratic seat, one where nearly 53% of voters in 2024 supported Democrat Kamala Harris for President and where Castor the same year won 57% support in her own re-election bid. Castor throughout her congressional career has consistently overperformed the top of the ticket in her district.

But under the new lines, crafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Office in a rare mid-decade redistricting, the district shifts eastward into rural southeast Hillsborough County. About 55% of voters under the new political boundaries for Florida’s 14th Congressional District supported Republican Donald Trump for President over Harris in the last Presidential Election.

The move prompted the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to add Castor to their Frontline program defending incumbents in battleground seats.

Castor’s campaign said she will focus on affordability and strengthening the Tampa Bay economy. She currently serves as Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee, and the last time Democrats held a majority, she chaired the high-profile Climate Crisis Select Committee.

Florida’s redistricting attracted a wave of financial support for Castor, but also a rush of potential opponents.

Eight Republicans qualified to run in CD 14, including former state Rep. Mike Beltran, construction industry professional Michael Marcel, franchise owner John Peters, Navy veteran Rocky Rochford, farmer Gavriel Soriano, state Rep. Kevin Steele, builder Ergin Tek, and former U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody adviser Bea Valenti. 

Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball both currently list the CD 14 race as “Leans Republican.” But Democrats remain hopeful in a political environment hostile to Trump that she will hold the seat.