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Kathy Castor
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Kathy Castor

Democratic Representative for Florida's 14th district, threatened by DeSantis's 24R-4D congressional map.

Last refreshed: 28 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Is Kathy Castor's Tampa seat at risk from DeSantis's new Florida map?

Timeline for Kathy Castor

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Common Questions
Who is Kathy Castor and why is her seat at risk?
Kathy Castor is a Democratic US Representative for Florida's 14th District (Tampa), first elected in 2006. Her seat is threatened by the 24R-4D congressional map Governor DeSantis submitted to the Florida Legislature on 27 April 2026.Source: DeSantis map submission, 27 April 2026
What happens to Kathy Castor if DeSantis's map passes?
The DeSantis map would redraw Castor's Tampa-area district to reduce or eliminate its Democratic voting base, likely making her seat unwinnable in a general election against a Republican opponent.

Background

Kathy Castor is a Democratic US Representative for Florida's 14th Congressional District (Tampa), first elected in 2006 and one of four Democratic incumbents threatened by the 24R-4D congressional map that Governor Ron DeSantis submitted to the Florida Legislature on 27 April 2026 for Special Session D.

Castor has represented the Tampa area for nearly two decades and has been one of Florida's most senior Democratic House members. She previously chaired the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. The DeSantis map would redraw her district in ways that significantly reduce or eliminate her Democratic voting base, potentially making her seat unwinnable in the current political environment.

The Florida Legislature's adoption of the DeSantis map is contingent partly on the Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court ruling on redistricting procedures, which DeSantis chose not to await before submitting his proposal — an aggressive strategic decision that advances his timeline regardless of the eventual SCOTUS ruling.