Former Tampa City Council member Mike Suarez is by far the top fundraiser so far in the race for House District 64.

Suarez raised nearly $32,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025, more than twice what his closest opponent raised in the same period. But that candidate, Luis Salazar, didn’t enter the race until about halfway through the period.

Still, Suarez maintains about $29,000 in his coffers, compared to just shy of $10,000 for Salazar.

Both are Democrats. They also face fellow Democrat José “Dante” Sánchez-Sánchez, but he has not yet filed a campaign finance report despite the passage of Monday’s filing deadline. One Republican is running, Amaro Lionheart. He also has not yet filed a finance report.

The candidates are vying to replace term-limited Rep. Susan Valdés, who is now a Republican but was elected as a Democrat.

The district has a voter advantage for Democrats, who make up more than 37% of the electorate. Republican voters, meanwhile, account for nearly 29% of the district’s voters, according to the most recent L2 voter data.

Suarez brought in 82 contributions last quarter, averaging about $386 each.

Top donors cutting maximum $1,000 checks include Travis Mitchell & Associates, a local government relations firm; Parkway Corporation CEO Robert Zuritsky and its Chair, Joe Zuritsky; Blue Sky Communities President Shawn Wilson; developer Bernard Arenas; Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen’s Hillsborough Together political committee; developer Jonathan Levy; contractor Joseph Williams; the Florida Insurance Council/ The Travelers Companies; the Tower Hill Insurance Group; and Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties, which is Jeff Vinik’s events operations firm.

Suarez’s top expenditure, at nearly $6,500, was to Tampa-based Womack Strategies for political consulting, run by communications strategies Michael Womack. Suarez also spent $3,885 on his campaign kickoff expenses at Florida Avenue Brewing Co. and paid campaign staffer Sebastian Leon about $2,100.

Salazar raised $15,497 from the time he entered the race in late October through December, and spent about $5,500 during that same period.

Salazar is running a grassroots campaign, with 335 contributions averaging less than $47 each. He only took in two top-dollar $1,000 contributions and just a handful of $500 checks.

His top expenditure was nearly $1,500 paid to Alex Honda for consulting, followed by $704 paid to Mark Hanisee, a former Pinellas County Democratic Party Chair, also for consulting fees.

“Our campaign is powered by people, not special interests,” Salazar said. “The fact that over 400 individuals chose to invest in this movement so early on says everything about the hunger for change. I am humbled and energized by the support.”

Retired Sarasota Police Department Sgt. Jim DeNiro has entered the race for Sarasota County Commission in District 4, setting up a Republican Primary challenge against first-term Commissioner Joe Neunder.

DeNiro, a lifelong Republican, said his campaign will focus on affordability, public safety, growth management, environmental protection and greater accountability in county government. He said his nearly 40 years of public service in Sarasota County has prepared him to oversee county operations and budgets.

DeNiro retired from the Sarasota Police Department after a career that included criminal investigations, narcotics enforcement, patrol operations, traffic and marine units, emergency management, and leadership of the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit. He was also responsible for managing unit budgets, personnel deployment, training expenses and equipment purchases during his tenure.

“Sarasota County families are paying close attention to rising costs, and county government should do the same,” DeNiro said in a statement. “When the County Commission approves a record $2.5 billion budget that draws roughly $23 million from county reserves, that level of spending warrants careful scrutiny, continued oversight, and a renewed focus on fiscal discipline.”

DeNiro said District 4 is under pressure from rapid population growth, raising concerns about traffic congestion, infrastructure capacity, storm preparedness and the preservation of neighborhood and coastal character.

“In District 4, we feel growth every day — on our roads, in our neighborhoods, and along our coastlines,” DeNiro said. “Growth must be managed responsibly, with infrastructure, public safety, and environmental protection keeping pace — not falling behind.”

DeNiro also highlighted his service on the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee, where he worked to ensure conservation programs funded by taxpayers are transparent and effectively protect water quality and wildlife habitat. DeNiro also served on the Traffic Advisory Committee and was involved with local civic and nonprofit organizations, including efforts aimed at combating human trafficking.

DeNiro lives in Sarasota County with his family and is married with two children. Now working as a licensed Realtor and mortgage loan officer, DeNiro said his experience helping families, retirees, veterans and first-time homebuyers has reinforced his belief that county government should remain efficient and taxes kept low.

U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn will not seek another term in Congress. The Panama City Republican announced he will retire after a decade in the House.

“After much prayerful consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives,” Dunn said. “This will conclude my service after five meaningful terms representing the people of Florida’s Second Congressional District.”

CD 2 covers parts of the Panhandle and Big Bend. Dunn easily won re-election in 2024 over Democrat Yen Bailey with about 61.7% of the vote. More than 58.5% of voters there supported Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris for President, according to MCI Maps, and more than 60% of voters backed GOP U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s re-election.

Still, the district could generate bipartisan interest, especially as Florida sets out on redrawing its congressional lines ahead of the Midterms.

When Florida last redrew its political boundaries in 2022, it pitted Dunn against U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Tallahassee Democrat, in Florida’s only incumbent-on-incumbent battle of the cycle. Dunn ultimately defeated Lawson with 60% of the vote.

Before lines were redrawn, Dunn actually flipped CD 2 from Democratic control in 2016, when he defeated Democrat Walter Dartland, winning a then-open seat with more than 67% of the vote.

The district was redrawn that cycle as well, with the Florida Supreme Court tossing the state’s map and crafting a Panama City-centered district. Under a prior configuration, it was represented by U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, a Tallahassee Democrat who opted not to seek re-election under the new map.

But now, the 72-year-old said his work in Washington is done.

“As a physician, an Army surgeon, and veteran from a multi-generational military family, I brought my commitment to life, liberty, and conservative values to Washington. It has been my greatest honor to fight for lower taxes, our military and veterans, the unborn, healthcare innovation, and policies that empower Americans over bureaucracy and addressing threats from Communist China, Russia and others,” Dunn said.

“The time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren. I am deeply grateful for your trust, support, and prayers over these years.”