Florida Democrats score upset in Tampa-based state Senate race

The Hill
by Caroline Vakil
March 25, 2026
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3 min read

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Democrat Brian Nathan, a Navy veteran and union leader, won Florida's state Senate District 14 race in the Tampa area, flipping the seat.

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Democrat Brian Nathan, a Navy veteran and union leader, won Florida's state Senate District 14 race, defeating Republican state Rep. Josie Tomkow in a Tampa-based seat. The victory is being characterized as an upset and adds to a recent pattern of Democratic overperformances and seat gains in Florida, a state that has trended increasingly Republican over the past decade. The result suggests potential cracks in GOP dominance in traditionally conservative areas, particularly in the Tampa region. Nathan will now represent the state Senate district, which includes parts of the Tampa area. The win reflects broader Democratic momentum in special elections and targeted races across the state.

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