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Research as of Oct. 24, 2026. Early voting runs through Nov. 1; Election Day is Nov. 3. Check your voter info at votehillsborough.gov

Hillsborough County, FL · Ballot style 40300 · Nov 3, 2026

Progressive Endorsement Guide

Endorsements and stated positions from progressive and left-leaning organizations (labor, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+, environmental, gun-safety, civil-rights, progressive organizing groups and Democratic Party organizations) for every choice on ballot style 40300. A short line of conservative-side endorsements and the Tampa Bay Times recommendation are included per contest for context. Compiled 2026-10-22. Entries tagged aggregator were seen only on Blue Voter Guide, a candidate's own list, Ballotpedia or the LWV synopsis — not confirmed on the group's own site.

LaborReproductive rightsLGBTQ+Environment & climateProgressive & community organizingCivil rights & civil libertiesGun safetyDemocratic Party & caucusesNonpartisan civic (context)

At a glance

▲ = progressive endorsement listings · ▼ = opposition/criticism listings (some listings bundle several groups).

ContestProgressive activityTampa Bay Times
United States SenatorAngie Nixon DEM ▲ 30Ashley Moody REP ▼ 3Recommends Nixon (Oct 16)
Representative in Congress, District 14Kathy Castor DEM ▲ 15Mike Beltran REP ▼ 5Recommends Castor (Oct 9)
Governor and Lieutenant GovernorDavid Jolly / Gwen Graham DEM ▲ 14▼ 3Recommends Jolly (Oct 16)
Attorney GeneralJose Javier Rodriguez DEM ▲ 13James Uthmeier REP ▼ 4No 2026 recommendation found (Orlando Sentinel endorsed Rodriguez)
Chief Financial OfficerAnnette Taddeo DEM ▲ 10No 2026 recommendation found (Orlando Sentinel and Sun Sentinel endorsed Taddeo)
Commissioner of AgricultureJoey Mendoza Atkins DEM ▲ 3No 2026 recommendation found
State Senator, District 14Brian Nathan DEM ▲ 12Josie Tomkow REP ▼ 1No 2026 recommendation found
State Representative, District 64Luis Salazar DEM ▲ 12No 2026 recommendation found
Board of County Commissioners, District 1Harry Cohen DEM ▲ 4Jackie Toledo REP ▼ 1Both Gallaty and Brink recommend Cohen (Oct 3)
Board of County Commissioners, District 5Neil Manimala DEM ▲ 9Split: Gallaty picks Hahn, Brink picks Manimala (Oct 3)
Board of County Commissioners, District 7Aileen Rodriguez DEM ▲ 8Split: Gallaty picks Rodriguez, Brink picks Wostal (Oct 3)
School Board Member, District 6Karen Perez ▲ 10Both Gallaty and Brink recommend Perez (Oct 4)
Justice Carlos G. Muñiz — Supreme CourtNo (remove) ▲ 1No recommendation found
Judge Drew Atkinson — 2nd District Court of AppealNo progressive activity foundNo recommendation found
Judge Morris Silberman — 2nd District Court of AppealNo progressive activity foundNo recommendation found
Judge Daniel H. Sleet — 2nd District Court of AppealNo progressive activity foundNo recommendation found
Judge Andrea Teves Smith — 2nd District Court of AppealNo progressive activity foundNo recommendation found
Amendment 1 — Budget Stabilization FundNo ▲ 7No recommendation
Amendment 2 — Agricultural Tangible Personal Property Tax ExemptionNo ▲ 6No recommendation
Amendment 3 — Homestead Exemption Increase / Non-Homestead Cap / Local Revenue LimitsNo ▲ 22No editorial recommendation; dueling guest columns ran Oct 14–19
Referendum 1 — Elected (Partisan) Superintendent of SchoolsNo ▲ 4Both recommend No (Oct 7)
Referendum 2 — Expand County Commission to 9, All Single-Member DistrictsNo ▲ 2Both recommend No — "less representative, more parochial and easier to gerrymander" (Oct 7)
Referendum 3 — Half-Cent School Capital Sales Surtax (renewal)For the tax ▲ 3Both recommend Yes (Oct 7)

Federal

United States Senator

Creative Loafing: Angie NixonTampa Bay Times: Angie NixonEndorsed by Trump: Ashley Moody

Ashley Moody voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025).

The Senate passed it 51–50 on July 1, 2025; all Democrats and Republicans Paul, Tillis and Collins voted no, so Moody voted yes. Source

Why Creative Loafing calls it one of the worst laws in modern history

Special election

Mark your ballot: United States Senator
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Angie Nixon
  • Nixon won the Democratic primary decisively despite being outspent 16 to 1 by the party's preferred candidate, and CL calls her easy to get behind.
  • She was a single mother for 12 years and runs a Jacksonville bookstore and coffee shop. In six years in the Legislature she filed early-learning bills, fought cuts to public schools and limits on abortion, and was arrested protesting the gerrymandered congressional maps.
  • Her agenda, as CL reports it: extend Affordable Care Act subsidies first, lower costs, shore up Social Security and protect families from medical bankruptcy, partly by raising taxes on the very wealthy.
  • CL relays Nixon's case against Ashley Moody: Moody's role in the Hope Florida scandal, her stock trading, her vote for the "Big Beautiful Bill" and its Medicaid cuts, and her refusal to debate.

The guide lists Nixon without a write-up; these reasons are from CL's Oct. 19 story on her Ybor City rally, which recommends her.

Ray Roa (with Dave Decker), In Ybor City, Angie Nixon and Bernie Sanders rally against ‘lying, cheating, scheming, thieving Ashley Moody’ (w/photos)

Creative Loafing’s pick: Angie NixonEditorial

  • Nixon won the Democratic primary decisively despite being outspent 16 to 1 by the party's preferred candidate, and CL calls her easy to get behind.
  • She was a single mother for 12 years and runs a Jacksonville bookstore and coffee shop. In six years in the Legislature she filed early-learning bills, fought cuts to public schools and limits on abortion, and was arrested protesting the gerrymandered congressional maps.
  • Her agenda, as CL reports it: extend Affordable Care Act subsidies first, lower costs, shore up Social Security and protect families from medical bankruptcy, partly by raising taxes on the very wealthy.
  • CL relays Nixon's case against Ashley Moody: Moody's role in the Hope Florida scandal, her stock trading, her vote for the "Big Beautiful Bill" and its Medicaid cuts, and her refusal to debate.

The guide lists Nixon without a write-up; these reasons are from CL's Oct. 19 story on her Ybor City rally, which recommends her.

Ray Roa (with Dave Decker) · In Ybor City, Angie Nixon and Bernie Sanders rally against ‘lying, cheating, scheming, thieving Ashley Moody’ (w/photos)

Tampa Bay Times: Angie NixonEditorial

“Her excesses are those of an insurgent, while Moody’s record shows a habit of deference to power.”

On Moody: she “squandered her time as attorney general shilling for Trump and acting as DeSantis’ legal wingman.” On Nixon: her public-control proposals are “anathema to traditional American capitalism.” Overall, “this race has centrists reaching for heartburn medication,” and neither has “a credible plan… to lead on big issues like the national debt.”

The Bradenton Times also recommended Nixon.

Trump

  • Endorsed by Trump: Ashley Moody. Trump endorsed her for the 2026 Senate race; money map also calls her a reliable Trump ally. source

Ashley Moody voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025).

The Senate passed it 51–50 on July 1, 2025; all Democrats and Republicans Paul, Tillis and Collins voted no, so Moody voted yes. Source

Why Creative Loafing calls it one of the worst laws in modern history

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Ashley Moody

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

From Creative Loafing’s write-up

  • CL relays Nixon's case against Ashley Moody: Moody's role in the Hope Florida scandal, her stock trading, her vote for the "Big Beautiful Bill" and its Medicaid cuts, and her refusal to debate.

Angie Nixon DEM

Endorsed by 30

Criticism from inside the Democratic Party, not from progressive groups: FDP Chair Nikki Fried reportedly pressed Nixon to distance herself from DSA (Axios); David Jolly said "to the extent she's embracing any of the DSA platform, I reject that" and disagrees with her on Israel (WLRN).

Ashley Moody REP

Opposed / criticized by 3

Neil J. Gillespie NPA

No progressive group activity found.

Primary
Nixon beat Alex Vindman 56.1%–43.9% in the Aug 18 primary despite being outspent ~16:1. Vindman's backers (DSCC, End Citizens United, VoteVets) moved to Nixon for the general. Florida AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, EMILYs List, MoveOn, Sierra Club, LCV and Giffords endorsed only after the primary. Bernie Sanders (Aug 20) and AOC (Sep 2) also endorsed.
Conservative side
Moody: Trump, Sen. Rick Scott, NRA-PVF, Florida Chamber, Florida & National Realtors, Florida Farm Bureau, Senate Conservatives Fund, Republican Party of Florida.
Tampa Bay Times
Recommends Nixon (Oct 16) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Justice Democrats, PCCC, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Run for Something, Swing Left, Color of Change PAC, Latino Victory Fund, Mi Familia Vota, Brady, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Climate Cabinet, Ruth's List, HRC. Equality Florida's state PAC can't endorse in federal races (its federal arm did).

Representative in Congress, District 14

Creative Loafing: Kathy CastorTampa Bay Times: Kathy CastorEndorsed by Trump: Mike Beltran

Kathy Castor voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025).

Voted No on final House passage, July 3, 2025 (218–214). Source

Why Creative Loafing calls it one of the worst laws in modern history

Redrawn district (Trump +10.5 on new lines)

Mark your ballot: Representative in Congress — District 14
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Kathy Castor
  • Castor is one of the hardest-working members of Congress and has reliably brought federal money home to Tampa Bay projects over her 20 years.
  • CL grants the case against her: a long tenure, and some Democrats cooled on her after she was among a handful who backed a House resolution denouncing socialism.
  • The deciding factor is her opponent. Mike Beltran calls himself "MAGA Mike," and CL argues that loyalty to Trump makes him no check on the executive branch, whatever his reputation for breaking with Florida Republicans.

Ray Roa, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough and Pinellas congressional seats

Creative Loafing’s pick: Kathy CastorEditorial

  • Castor is one of the hardest-working members of Congress and has reliably brought federal money home to Tampa Bay projects over her 20 years.
  • CL grants the case against her: a long tenure, and some Democrats cooled on her after she was among a handful who backed a House resolution denouncing socialism.
  • The deciding factor is her opponent. Mike Beltran calls himself "MAGA Mike," and CL argues that loyalty to Trump makes him no check on the executive branch, whatever his reputation for breaking with Florida Republicans.

Ray Roa · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough and Pinellas congressional seats

Tampa Bay Times: Kathy CastorEditorial

Castor wins “because she is already doing a good job as a strong advocate for the district.”

The Times called it “a tougher decision” and praised Beltran as “a freethinker, unafraid to buck his own party.”

Trump

  • Endorsed by Trump: Mike Beltran. Trump endorsed him around Sept. 1, per NRCC announcement; he also calls himself "MAGA Mike". source

Kathy Castor voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025).

Voted No on final House passage, July 3, 2025 (218–214). Source

Why Creative Loafing calls it one of the worst laws in modern history

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Mike Beltran

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

From Creative Loafing’s write-up

  • The deciding factor is her opponent. Mike Beltran calls himself "MAGA Mike," and CL argues that loyalty to Trump makes him no check on the executive branch, whatever his reputation for breaking with Florida Republicans.

Kathy Castor DEM

Endorsed by 15

Mike Beltran REP

Opposed / criticized by 5

Brian Lambert LPF

No progressive group activity found.

Primary
Castor was unopposed. She is in the DCCC Frontline program for vulnerable incumbents. Florida Rising endorsed her in 2022 but she isn't on its 2026 list.
Conservative side
Beltran: Trump (Sep 2). The GOP establishment had backed Kevin Steele in the primary.
Tampa Bay Times
Recommends Castor (Oct 9) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Working Families Party, Our Revolution, Florida Rising (2026), Justice Democrats, PCCC, CPC PAC, Indivisible, MoveOn, Swing Left, Run for Something, Sunrise, Florida Conservation Voters, Climate Cabinet, Latino Victory, Mi Familia Vota, Color of Change, Brady, Victory Fund, Ruth's List.

State Executive

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Creative Loafing: David Jolly / Gwen GrahamTampa Bay Times: David JollyEndorsed by Trump: Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025).

Then a U.S. representative, voted Aye on final House passage, July 3, 2025 (218–214). Source

Why Creative Loafing calls it one of the worst laws in modern history

Mark your ballot: Governor and Lieutenant Governor
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks David Jolly / Gwen Graham

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: David Jolly / Gwen GrahamEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Tampa Bay Times: David JollyEditorial

Jolly is “centrist, practical, a capitalist who believes government should improve everyone’s life.”

The Times laid out Donalds’ case against Jolly: a flip-flopper whose insurance fund is a “hurricane tax.” It also noted Donalds’ money advantage and that no Democrat has won the governorship since 1994.

The Palm Beach Post also backed Jolly.

Trump

  • Endorsed by Trump: Byron Donalds. Trump endorsed him in Feb. 2025, before he entered the race. source

Byron Donalds voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025).

Then a U.S. representative, voted Aye on final House passage, July 3, 2025 (218–214). Source

Why Creative Loafing calls it one of the worst laws in modern history

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Byron Donalds

  • Against Byron Donalds, Guide note: No paid progressive campaign against Donalds was found; Equality Florida's Jolly endorsement contrasts the two candidates but the guide records no specifics.
  • Against Byron Donalds, Conservatives for Ethical Leadership: Lincoln Project-linked group (not progressive) running October ads against Donalds; the guide notes this is the only paid opposition it found. source

David Jolly / Gwen Graham DEM

Endorsed by 14

Opposed / criticized by 3

Notable non-endorsements: Florida Rising, Our Revolution Florida and the Working Families Party endorsed Nixon for Senate but made no governor endorsement.

Byron Donalds / Bryan Avila REP

No paid progressive campaign against Donalds found. Equality Florida's Jolly endorsement explicitly contrasts the two. The anti-Donalds ads running in October come from Conservatives for Ethical Leadership, a Lincoln Project–linked group, not a progressive one.

Scott Eckhard Jewett / Nicole Skelly LPF

No progressive group activity found.

Charles Burkett / Ruben A. Coto NPA

No progressive group activity found.

Frank J. Russo / Rachel Rodriguez NPA

No progressive group activity found.

Moliere "Moe" Dimanche / Benjiman Rojas NPA

No progressive group activity found.

Dean Ocean Abrams / Joe Van Vactor NPA

No progressive group activity found.

Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto / Juan Santana NPA

No progressive group activity found.

Primary
Jolly (a former Republican congressman) won the Democratic primary with 61.0%; Foster 15.1%, Dotie Joseph 9.6%, Castillo-Bach 7.7%. Jerry Demings suspended his campaign Jun 5. Angie Nixon, Nikki Fried and Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Jolly after the primary. The centrist Forward Party also endorsed him.
Conservative side
Donalds: Trump, DeSantis (Sep 2), AFP Action, Florida Chamber, NRA-PVF, Gun Owners of America, Club for Growth, Turning Point Action, FOP, PBA, Florida Voice for the Unborn.
Tampa Bay Times
Recommends Jolly (Oct 16) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Rising, Our Revolution, Working Families Party, Indivisible (one sign-waving event, no formal endorsement), MoveOn, Sunrise, Dream Defenders, FLIC Votes, Black Voters Matter, Color of Change, Latino Victory, Mi Familia Vota, Reproductive Freedom for All, EMILYs List, Florida NOW, HRC, Victory Fund, Florida Conservation Voters, Climate Cabinet, Run for Something, Brady, Giffords, UNITE HERE, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans.

Attorney General

Creative Loafing: José Javier RodríguezEndorsed by Trump: James Uthmeier
Mark your ballot: Attorney General
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks José Javier Rodríguez

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: José Javier RodríguezEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Trump

  • Endorsed by Trump: James Uthmeier. Part of the Republican statewide slate Trump endorsed (Donalds, Moody, Uthmeier, Ingoglia, Simpson). source

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: James Uthmeier

  • Against James Uthmeier, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Farmworker Association of Florida, ACLU of Florida: Sued over the SB 4-C immigration law; a federal judge held Uthmeier in contempt in June 2025. Litigation, not an election campaign. source
  • Against James Uthmeier, Friends of the Everglades, Center for Biological Diversity: Sued in June 2025 to stop the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility in the Everglades. source
  • Against James Uthmeier, Florida Senate Democratic Caucus: All 12 members called for his resignation after the Hope Florida grand jury findings (Aug 27); he calls them a hoax and no charges were filed. source
  • Against James Uthmeier, Florida House Democrats: Called for a special session to consider impeaching him (Sept 3). source
  • Against James Uthmeier, Black Democratic legislators (per guide note): Condemned his MLK Day 2026 memo declining to defend race-conscious state laws. source

Jose Javier Rodriguez DEM

Endorsed by 13

James Uthmeier REP

Opposed / criticized by 4

Black Democratic legislators condemned his MLK Day 2026 memo refusing to defend race-conscious state laws (CBS Miami). Uthmeier calls the Hope Florida findings a "hoax"; the grand jury brought no charges.

Primary
Neither candidate had a primary.
Conservative side
Uthmeier: Trump, Republican Attorneys General Association, Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Sheriffs Association, Republican Party of Florida, Gun Owners of America. (Florida Professional Firefighters reportedly endorsed Rodriguez.)
Tampa Bay Times
No 2026 recommendation found (Orlando Sentinel endorsed Rodriguez)
Groups checked with nothing found

Giffords, Brady, LCV (federal only), Run for Something.

Chief Financial Officer

Creative Loafing: Annette TaddeoEndorsed by Trump: Blaise Ingoglia
Mark your ballot: Chief Financial Officer
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Annette Taddeo

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: Annette TaddeoEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Trump

  • Endorsed by Trump: Blaise Ingoglia. Part of the Republican statewide slate Trump endorsed (Donalds, Moody, Uthmeier, Ingoglia, Simpson). source

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Blaise Ingoglia

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Annette Taddeo DEM

Endorsed by 10

Blaise Ingoglia REP

No progressive group activity found.

Primary
Taddeo beat Earle Ford 65.6%–34.4%; no progressive group backed Ford.
Conservative side
Ingoglia: Republican Party of Florida, Gun Owners of America, 60 sheriffs, Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Professional Firefighters, FOP, PBA, Sen. Ashley Moody.
Tampa Bay Times
No 2026 recommendation found (Orlando Sentinel and Sun Sentinel endorsed Taddeo)
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Planned Parenthood PAC, Florida Rising, Sierra Club Florida, FEA (not found for this race).

Commissioner of Agriculture

Creative Loafing: Joey Mendoza AtkinsEndorsed by Trump: Wilton Simpson
Mark your ballot: Commissioner of Agriculture
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Joey Mendoza Atkins

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: Joey Mendoza AtkinsEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Trump

  • Endorsed by Trump: Wilton Simpson. Part of the Republican statewide slate Trump endorsed (Donalds, Moody, Uthmeier, Ingoglia, Simpson). source

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Wilton Simpson

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Joey Mendoza Atkins DEM

Endorsed by 3

Wilton Simpson REP

No progressive group activity found.

Write-in

No progressive group activity found.

Primary
Atkins beat Don Prichard 60.3%–39.7%. Notably, the major labor, Planned Parenthood, Equality Florida and Sierra Club slates skip this race entirely.
Conservative side
Simpson: Trump, Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Chamber, Florida Farm Bureau PAC, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Professional Firefighters, 61 sheriffs.
Tampa Bay Times
No 2026 recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida AFL-CIO, West Central Florida Labor Council, FEA, Planned Parenthood, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Sierra Club, Gun Sense.

State Legislature

State Senator, District 14

Creative Loafing: Brian Nathan

Nathan won the seat in a March 2026 special election by 408 votes over Tomkow

Mark your ballot: State Senator — District 14
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Brian Nathan
  • CL calls the Republican ad tying Nathan to the Party for Socialism and Liberation a desperate smear: it is built on a CL photo from a May Day workers' rally that the West Central Florida Labor Council helped organize.
  • Nathan, who won the seat in a special election in March, stands with working people; CL sees that as a belief that honest work should pay for a dignified life, not as socialism.
  • Against Josie Tomkow: in nearly eight years in the Legislature she voted for the 2023 limits on public-sector unions (SB 256), skipped the final vote on the 2024 bill blocking local heat-protection and wage rules (HB 433), and this year voted for a law making public-sector union recertification harder.
  • More broadly, CL says Florida Republicans claim to be the workers' party while resisting minimum-wage increases, banning local living-wage rules for contractors and loosening child-labor protections.

Ray Roa, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Tampa Bay's Florida State Senators

Creative Loafing’s pick: Brian NathanEditorial

  • CL calls the Republican ad tying Nathan to the Party for Socialism and Liberation a desperate smear: it is built on a CL photo from a May Day workers' rally that the West Central Florida Labor Council helped organize.
  • Nathan, who won the seat in a special election in March, stands with working people; CL sees that as a belief that honest work should pay for a dignified life, not as socialism.
  • Against Josie Tomkow: in nearly eight years in the Legislature she voted for the 2023 limits on public-sector unions (SB 256), skipped the final vote on the 2024 bill blocking local heat-protection and wage rules (HB 433), and this year voted for a law making public-sector union recertification harder.
  • More broadly, CL says Florida Republicans claim to be the workers' party while resisting minimum-wage increases, banning local living-wage rules for contractors and loosening child-labor protections.

Ray Roa · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Tampa Bay's Florida State Senators

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Josie Tomkow

  • Against Josie Tomkow, Progress Florida & Florida Watch: Their "People First" report card gave her an F (26%) for the 2026 session as the HD 51 representative. source

From Creative Loafing’s write-up

  • Against Josie Tomkow: in nearly eight years in the Legislature she voted for the 2023 limits on public-sector unions (SB 256), skipped the final vote on the 2024 bill blocking local heat-protection and wage rules (HB 433), and this year voted for a law making public-sector union recertification harder.

Brian Nathan DEM incumbent

Endorsed by 12

Josie Tomkow REP

Opposed / criticized by 1

Primary
No contested 2026 primary found. Tomkow resigned her Polk County House seat to run in the March special election.
Conservative side
Tomkow (special election): Sheriff Chad Chronister, U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, Tampa firefighters; $418K in-kind from the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Tampa Bay Times
No 2026 recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Gun Sense Candidate, LCV, Run for Something. Florida Conservation Voters score for Tomkow could not be found.

State Representative, District 64

Creative Loafing: Luis Salazar

Open seat (Rep. Susan Valdés, elected as a Democrat and later switched to the GOP, is term-limited)

Mark your ballot: State Representative — District 64
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Luis Salazar

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: Luis SalazarEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Dan Weldon

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Luis Salazar DEM

Endorsed by 12

Dan Weldon REP

No progressive group activity found.

Primary
Salazar won a three-way primary: 44.75% to Mike Suarez's 35.64% and John Rodriguez's 19.60%. Progressive groups (Equality Florida, Victory Fund, FEA, AFL-CIO, Labor Council, Florida Rising) backed Salazar; business group Associated Industries of Florida backed Suarez. Moms Demand's Gun Sense label went to both.
Conservative side
Weldon: no endorsements listed; describes himself as a "conservative activist" and won the GOP primary with 66%+.
Tampa Bay Times
No 2026 recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Run for Something, LCV, Sierra Club Florida.

County

Board of County Commissioners, District 1

Both sides agree: Harry CohenCreative Loafing: Harry CohenTampa Bay Times: Harry Cohen
Mark your ballot: Board of County Commissioners — District 1
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Harry Cohen

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Both sides agree: Harry Cohen

4 progressive and 5 right-leaning support entries (the right-leaning guide also lists 3 entries for Toledo, the GOP nominee, including the county GOP slate)

  • Progressive, West Central Florida Labor Council, AFL-CIO: Listed Cohen on its Oct 7 endorsement list, which the teachers union (HCTA) tells members to follow. source
  • Progressive, Equality Florida Action PAC: Included Cohen on its endorsed-candidates list; no reason given. source
  • Progressive, Transport Workers Union: Listed as a Cohen endorser by Blue Voter Guide; no reason given. source
  • Progressive, Hillsborough County Democratic Party and caucuses: Listed as backing Cohen by Blue Voter Guide; no reason given. source
  • Right-leaning, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister (R): A Republican officeholder backing the Democratic incumbent, per the Times commission recommendations. source
  • Right-leaning, State Attorney Suzy Lopez (R): Endorsed Cohen in October, adding bipartisan support for the incumbent. source
  • Right-leaning, Former Tax Collector Doug Belden (R): A 22-year office holder who backed Cohen in October. source
  • Right-leaning, Suncoast PBA, Tampa PBA, Firefighters Local 2294: Bipartisan public-safety unions listed among Cohen's backers in the Times recommendations. source

Creative Loafing’s pick: Harry CohenEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: Harry CohenEditorial

Both Gallaty and Brink picked Cohen.

The available excerpt did not include detailed reasoning about Toledo.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Harry Cohen

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Harry Cohen DEM incumbent

Endorsed by 4

Sierra Club and Florida Rising endorsed the Democrats in Districts 5 and 7 but made no pick in District 1.

Jackie Toledo REP

Opposed / criticized by 1

News, not a progressive group: Florida Politics reported (Oct 9) that her endorser United Christians of Florida also backs a candidate accused of child molestation; she condemned abuse but kept the endorsement (source).

Primary
Cohen was unopposed in the primary.
Conservative side
Toledo: Hillsborough GOP, CFO Blaise Ingoglia, U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Greg Steube, United Christians of Florida. Cohen also has the Hillsborough firefighters, Sheriff Chronister, Mayor Jane Castor, Suncoast PBA and Tampa Bay Builders Association.
Tampa Bay Times
Both Gallaty and Brink recommend Cohen (Oct 3) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Sierra Club, Florida Rising, Florida Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, Ruth's List, NOW, Run for Something, Our Revolution, Indivisible, WFP, Dream Defenders, FLIC, Faith in Florida, SEIU, AFSCME, UNITE HERE, Moms Demand, Sunrise, Hillsborough Environmental Coalition, 1000 Friends of Florida, Young Dems, Stonewall Dems.

Board of County Commissioners, District 5

Creative Loafing: Neil Manimala

Creative Loafing picks Neil Manimala instead:

  • Manimala is the only commission candidate with a comprehensive plan to make it possible to live in Hillsborough without a car: better transit and less strain on the roads, which CL sees as the county's core growth, safety, cost and health problem.
  • CL expects him to work with both parties and calls him a hard worker with fresh ideas.
  • CL credits Stacy Hahn's eight years on the School Board and her primary win over incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda, but argues Manimala is the one who can fix how the county gets around.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

The Times' reasoning, and Creative Loafing's

Tampa Bay Times (Brink): Neil Manimala

Countywide seat

Mark your ballot: Board of County Commissioners — District 5
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Neil Manimala
  • Manimala is the only commission candidate with a comprehensive plan to make it possible to live in Hillsborough without a car: better transit and less strain on the roads, which CL sees as the county's core growth, safety, cost and health problem.
  • CL expects him to work with both parties and calls him a hard worker with fresh ideas.
  • CL credits Stacy Hahn's eight years on the School Board and her primary win over incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda, but argues Manimala is the one who can fix how the county gets around.

Valerie Smith, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Creative Loafing’s pick: Neil ManimalaEditorial

  • Manimala is the only commission candidate with a comprehensive plan to make it possible to live in Hillsborough without a car: better transit and less strain on the roads, which CL sees as the county's core growth, safety, cost and health problem.
  • CL expects him to work with both parties and calls him a hard worker with fresh ideas.
  • CL credits Stacy Hahn's eight years on the School Board and her primary win over incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda, but argues Manimala is the one who can fix how the county gets around.

Valerie Smith · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: Gallaty: Stacy Hahn · Brink: Neil ManimalaEditorial

Gallaty: Hahn “brings the experience and temperament” and connects dollars to “measurable outcomes.”

Brink: “Rarely does a first-time political candidate have such a keen awareness… In this close call, Manimala gets the edge.”

Creative Loafing differs: it picks Neil Manimala. Its reasons are above.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Stacy Hahn

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

From Creative Loafing’s write-up

  • CL credits Stacy Hahn's eight years on the School Board and her primary win over incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda, but argues Manimala is the one who can fix how the county gets around.

Neil Manimala DEM

Endorsed by 9

Stacy Hahn REP

As a School Board member, Hahn spoke against the elected-superintendent referendum, the same position the progressive groups take (WFLA).

Primary
Hahn beat incumbent Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda in the GOP primary, 54.9%–45.1%.
Conservative side
Hahn: Hillsborough GOP, Tampa Firefighters IAFF Local 754; committee money from developers and engineering firms.
Tampa Bay Times
Split: Gallaty picks Hahn, Brink picks Manimala (Oct 3) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, Ruth's List, NOW, Our Revolution, Indivisible, WFP, Dream Defenders, FLIC, Faith in Florida, SEIU, AFSCME, UNITE HERE, Moms Demand, Sunrise, Hillsborough Environmental Coalition, 1000 Friends, transit advocates, Young Dems, Stonewall Dems.

Board of County Commissioners, District 7

Creative Loafing: Aileen RodriguezTampa Bay Times (Gallaty): Aileen Rodriguez

Creative Loafing picks Aileen Rodriguez instead:

  • Against incumbent Joshua Wostal: he opposed the county's health care program for low-income residents and funding for local arts, refused to sign commendations for Tampa Pride and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs' MLK breakfast, and builds no coalitions; even his popular vote against Rays stadium money drew only one ally.
  • His PAC took a late $50,000 check from developer Homes by West Bay, its largest ever and over $62,000 in all from that developer; its next-largest donor is tied to the lawsuit that killed the All For Transportation tax.
  • Rodriguez, a former director for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, has long been active in the community and brings steady, practical ideas on transit and responsible growth. She also beat former Clerk of Court Cindy Stuart in the primary.
  • With the commission possibly growing, CL wants a member who unifies rather than divides.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

The Times' reasoning, and Creative Loafing's

Countywide seat

Mark your ballot: Board of County Commissioners — District 7
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Aileen Rodriguez
  • Against incumbent Joshua Wostal: he opposed the county's health care program for low-income residents and funding for local arts, refused to sign commendations for Tampa Pride and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs' MLK breakfast, and builds no coalitions; even his popular vote against Rays stadium money drew only one ally.
  • His PAC took a late $50,000 check from developer Homes by West Bay, its largest ever and over $62,000 in all from that developer; its next-largest donor is tied to the lawsuit that killed the All For Transportation tax.
  • Rodriguez, a former director for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, has long been active in the community and brings steady, practical ideas on transit and responsible growth. She also beat former Clerk of Court Cindy Stuart in the primary.
  • With the commission possibly growing, CL wants a member who unifies rather than divides.

Ray Roa, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Creative Loafing’s pick: Aileen RodriguezEditorial

  • Against incumbent Joshua Wostal: he opposed the county's health care program for low-income residents and funding for local arts, refused to sign commendations for Tampa Pride and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs' MLK breakfast, and builds no coalitions; even his popular vote against Rays stadium money drew only one ally.
  • His PAC took a late $50,000 check from developer Homes by West Bay, its largest ever and over $62,000 in all from that developer; its next-largest donor is tied to the lawsuit that killed the All For Transportation tax.
  • Rodriguez, a former director for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, has long been active in the community and brings steady, practical ideas on transit and responsible growth. She also beat former Clerk of Court Cindy Stuart in the primary.
  • With the commission possibly growing, CL wants a member who unifies rather than divides.

Ray Roa · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: Gallaty: Aileen Rodriguez · Brink: Joshua WostalEditorial

Gallaty: Wostal’s support for cutting the low-income healthcare program is “a significant difference.”

Brink: credited Wostal’s push to overhaul HART and said he “has already proven his worth.”

Creative Loafing differs: it picks Aileen Rodriguez. Its reasons are above.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Joshua Wostal

  • Against Joshua Wostal, Guide note (Axios): He backs Referendum 2, which progressive groups oppose. source
  • Against Joshua Wostal, Guide note (Axios): He shifted county money from affordable housing to transportation. source

From Creative Loafing’s write-up

  • Against incumbent Joshua Wostal: he opposed the county's health care program for low-income residents and funding for local arts, refused to sign commendations for Tampa Pride and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs' MLK breakfast, and builds no coalitions; even his popular vote against Rays stadium money drew only one ally.

Aileen Rodriguez DEM

Endorsed by 8

Per the Times, she left the Republican Party in 2019 and describes herself as a moderate.

Joshua Wostal REP incumbent

Context: he supports the single-member-district expansion (Referendum 2), which progressive groups oppose, and moved county money from affordable housing to transportation (Axios).

Primary
Rodriguez easily beat former School Board member and Clerk of Court Cindy Stuart in the Democratic primary (the Times had recommended Stuart).
Conservative side
Wostal: Hillsborough GOP.
Tampa Bay Times
Split: Gallaty picks Rodriguez, Brink picks Wostal (Oct 3) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, NOW, Our Revolution, Indivisible, WFP, Dream Defenders, FLIC, Faith in Florida, SEIU, AFSCME, UNITE HERE, Moms Demand, Sunrise, 1000 Friends, Young Dems, Stonewall Dems.

School Board Member, District 6

Creative Loafing: Karen PerezTampa Bay Times: Karen Perez

Nonpartisan, countywide runoff. WUSF reports Perez as a Democrat and Gay as a Republican; registration not checked

Mark your ballot: School Board Member — District 6
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Karen Perez
  • The race is nonpartisan, but Ken Gay's largest donor is the Hillsborough County Republican Party, which gave him $5,000 in September and endorsed him. CL describes that party as anti-union and fixated on DEI, Muslims in classrooms and transgender students.
  • CL says voters are tired of culture-war bait in school board races.
  • Perez, a social worker and strong public school advocate, is the most qualified, and CL sees no reason not to re-elect her.

Colin Wolf, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Creative Loafing’s pick: Karen PerezEditorial

  • The race is nonpartisan, but Ken Gay's largest donor is the Hillsborough County Republican Party, which gave him $5,000 in September and endorsed him. CL describes that party as anti-union and fixated on DEI, Muslims in classrooms and transgender students.
  • CL says voters are tired of culture-war bait in school board races.
  • Perez, a social worker and strong public school advocate, is the most qualified, and CL sees no reason not to re-elect her.

Colin Wolf · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: Karen PerezEditorial

The editors call Perez the better-qualified candidate: calm, thoughtful leadership since 2018, a voice for people who are often overlooked, a push for more open board business, steady support for school safety, and pressure on the district when it fell short. Her social-work and mental-health background helps struggling students, and they back her plan to keep traditional public schools competitive with charter and private schools. She has “the experience and the skill set” the board needs.

The Times describes Gay, 67, as a former teacher and administrator who now works for a nonprofit that teaches health and safety lessons to students, and notes he lost a board race two years ago. It says that in his interview with the editors he had trouble laying out a clear vision for the district.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Kenneth "Ken" Gay

  • Against Kenneth "Ken" Gay, Guide note (WUSF): WUSF reports he has no public endorsements beyond the GOP slate; he and Perez both oppose an elected superintendent. source

From Creative Loafing’s write-up

  • The race is nonpartisan, but Ken Gay's largest donor is the Hillsborough County Republican Party, which gave him $5,000 in September and endorsed him. CL describes that party as anti-union and fixated on DEI, Muslims in classrooms and transgender students.

Karen Perez incumbent

Endorsed by 10

Kenneth "Ken" Gay

WUSF (Oct 8) says he "does not have public endorsements," but the Hillsborough GOP lists him on its slate card and gave his campaign $5,000 on Sept 21 (county finance reports). Both candidates oppose an elected superintendent (WMNF).

Primary
August results: Perez 48.27%, Gay 27.23%, Sally Harris Williamson 24.50%.
Conservative side
Gay: Hillsborough GOP slate card (slate) and a $5,000 contribution from the party on Sept 21 (county finance reports). His campaign paid Patriots4America $100 for an event table in July, and his Facebook shows an appearance at one of its events; neither is an endorsement. No Moms for Liberty endorsement found.
Tampa Bay Times
Both Gallaty and Brink recommend Perez (Oct 4) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Freedom to Read Project, Moms Demand, Planned Parenthood, NOW, Our Revolution, Indivisible, WFP, Run for Something, Dream Defenders, FLIC, Faith in Florida, Young Dems, Stonewall Dems.

Judicial Retention

No organized Yes or No campaign was found for any of these five jurists. All were last on the ballot in 2020.

Justice Carlos G. Muñiz — Supreme Court

Creative Loafing: No

Appointed by Gov. DeSantis (2019); Chief Justice 2022–2026

Mark your ballot: Retain Carlos G. Muñiz
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No
  • A retention vote asks whether a justice has done the job as it should be done, not whether you like his politics. Here, CL says, the answer turns on respect for settled precedent (stare decisis).
  • In 2020, soon after joining the court with no prior judicial experience, Muñiz joined a majority that dropped Florida's test for overruling precedent, so that reliance and stability no longer count on their own.
  • In April 2024 he joined the ruling that the state constitution's privacy clause never protected abortion, overturning 35 years of precedent and triggering the six-week ban. Nothing in the constitution had changed, only the court's membership.
  • He also joined the 2020 rewrite of Florida's summary-judgment rule, which CL argues takes disputed cases away from juries. Justice Jorge Labarga, a Republican appointee, dissented both times.
  • No Florida justice has ever lost a retention vote; CL argues a No is how this check is meant to work, whatever you think of abortion.

The guide lists No without a write-up; the reasons are from an op-ed CL published Oct. 13.

Creative Loafing op-ed (posted by Ray Roa), Op-ed: Vote 'No' on retaining Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

  • A retention vote asks whether a justice has done the job as it should be done, not whether you like his politics. Here, CL says, the answer turns on respect for settled precedent (stare decisis).
  • In 2020, soon after joining the court with no prior judicial experience, Muñiz joined a majority that dropped Florida's test for overruling precedent, so that reliance and stability no longer count on their own.
  • In April 2024 he joined the ruling that the state constitution's privacy clause never protected abortion, overturning 35 years of precedent and triggering the six-week ban. Nothing in the constitution had changed, only the court's membership.
  • He also joined the 2020 rewrite of Florida's summary-judgment rule, which CL argues takes disputed cases away from juries. Justice Jorge Labarga, a Republican appointee, dissented both times.
  • No Florida justice has ever lost a retention vote; CL argues a No is how this check is meant to work, whatever you think of abortion.

The guide lists No without a write-up; the reasons are from an op-ed CL published Oct. 13.

Creative Loafing op-ed (posted by Ray Roa) · Op-ed: Vote 'No' on retaining Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes (retain)

  • Against Yes (retain), Guide note (Florida Phoenix): Progressives object that he joined the majority letting the 6-week abortion ban take effect and wrote the 2025 opinion upholding the congressional map. source
  • Against Yes (retain), Creative Loafing Tampa editor Ray Roa: Personal op-ed (Oct 13) urging a No vote on retention. source

Yes (retain)

No progressive group activity found.

No (remove)

Recommended by 1

Why progressives object: he joined the 6–1 majority in Planned Parenthood v. State (2024), which let the 6-week abortion ban take effect, and wrote the 2025 majority in Black Voters Matter v. Byrd upholding the congressional map that eliminated a North Florida Black-performing district (Florida Phoenix).

Creative Loafing Tampa's editor-in-chief Ray Roa wrote a personal op-ed urging NO (Oct 13) (CL Tampa).

Hillsborough County Democratic Party's guide makes no retention recommendation.

Bar poll
2020 Florida Bar poll: 71% for retention (no 2026 poll)
Conservative side
No organized campaign either way.
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Democratic Party, Hillsborough County Democratic Party, Floridians Protecting Freedom, Florida Decides Healthcare, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Florida AFL-CIO.

Judge Drew Atkinson — 2nd District Court of Appeal

Creative Loafing: No

Appointed by Gov. Rick Scott

Mark your ballot: Retain Drew Atkinson
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes (retain)

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Yes (retain)

No progressive group activity found.

No (remove)

No progressive group activity found.

Bar poll
2020 Florida Bar poll: 76% for retention
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Democratic Party, Hillsborough County Democratic Party, Floridians Protecting Freedom, Florida Decides Healthcare, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Florida AFL-CIO. Dolphin Democrats' NO recommendations cover only 4th DCA judges.

Judge Morris Silberman — 2nd District Court of Appeal

Creative Loafing: Yes

Appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush (2001)

Mark your ballot: Retain Morris Silberman
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Yes

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: YesEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes (retain)

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Yes (retain)

No progressive group activity found.

No (remove)

No progressive group activity found.

Bar poll
2020 Florida Bar poll: 90% for retention
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Democratic Party, Hillsborough County Democratic Party, Floridians Protecting Freedom, Florida Decides Healthcare, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Florida AFL-CIO.

Judge Daniel H. Sleet — 2nd District Court of Appeal

Creative Loafing: Yes

Appointed by Gov. Rick Scott

Mark your ballot: Retain Daniel H. Sleet
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Yes

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: YesEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes (retain)

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Yes (retain)

No progressive group activity found.

No (remove)

No progressive group activity found.

Bar poll
2020 Florida Bar poll: 85% for retention
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Democratic Party, Hillsborough County Democratic Party, Floridians Protecting Freedom, Florida Decides Healthcare, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Florida AFL-CIO.

Judge Andrea Teves Smith — 2nd District Court of Appeal

Creative Loafing: No

Appointed by Gov. Rick Scott (2019)

Mark your ballot: Retain Andrea Teves Smith
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes (retain)

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

Yes (retain)

No progressive group activity found.

No (remove)

No progressive group activity found.

Bar poll
2020 Florida Bar poll: 82% for retention
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation found
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Democratic Party, Hillsborough County Democratic Party, Floridians Protecting Freedom, Florida Decides Healthcare, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Florida AFL-CIO.

State Constitutional Amendments

Each needs 60% to pass.

Amendment 1 — Budget Stabilization Fund

Creative Loafing: NoTampa Bay Times: No
Mark your ballot: Amendment 1: Budget Stabilization Fund
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No
  • It would let the state's rainy-day fund grow from 10% to 25% of general revenue; Florida TaxWatch says reaching that could take 22 years.
  • The fund, created in 1992, is nearly full and hasn't been drawn on since 2008. Nothing needs fixing.
  • CL doesn't want to give Tallahassee more control over tax money, and notes Gov. DeSantis is also urging a No.

Ray Roa, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

  • It would let the state's rainy-day fund grow from 10% to 25% of general revenue; Florida TaxWatch says reaching that could take 22 years.
  • The fund, created in 1992, is nearly full and hasn't been drawn on since 2008. Nothing needs fixing.
  • CL doesn't want to give Tallahassee more control over tax money, and notes Gov. DeSantis is also urging a No.

Ray Roa · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Tampa Bay Times: NoEditorial

The Times recommends No.

The excerpt available did not include detailed reasoning.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes

  • Against Yes, Miami-Dade & Palm Beach County Democratic Parties: Say it would lock up about $16.4B over roughly 22 years that could fund schools, health care and housing, and writes budget policy into the Constitution. source
  • Against Yes, Florida AFL-CIO: In 2025 legislative testimony, questioned diverting money into a retirement-style reserve; not a 2026 ballot recommendation. source

YES raises the rainy-day fund cap from 10% to 25% of general revenue and requires yearly transfers (lesser of $750M or the amount needed to hit the cap).

Yes

No progressive group supports it. Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly reportedly supports it with guardrails (WLRN).

No

Recommended by 7

Local
Hillsborough County Democratic Party: "No Recommendation."
Conservative side
Republican Party of Florida and Florida TaxWatch: YES. Gov. DeSantis and Byron Donalds: NO (want surpluses used for tax cuts).
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Policy Institute, Florida Democratic Party (statewide), SEIU Florida, Florida Rising, Progress Florida, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Watch.

Amendment 2 — Agricultural Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption

Creative Loafing: No

Creative Loafing picks No instead:

  • It's a property-tax break for farm equipment, costing local governments roughly $31 million a year.
  • CL calls it a special-interest break that helps big agriculture most; small farms already pay less because every business's first $25,000 of equipment is exempt.
  • Lawmakers should find better ways to help small family farms and farmworkers.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

The Times' reasoning, and Creative Loafing's

Mark your ballot: Amendment 2: Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No
  • It's a property-tax break for farm equipment, costing local governments roughly $31 million a year.
  • CL calls it a special-interest break that helps big agriculture most; small farms already pay less because every business's first $25,000 of equipment is exempt.
  • Lawmakers should find better ways to help small family farms and farmworkers.

Ray Roa, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

  • It's a property-tax break for farm equipment, costing local governments roughly $31 million a year.
  • CL calls it a special-interest break that helps big agriculture most; small farms already pay less because every business's first $25,000 of equipment is exempt.
  • Lawmakers should find better ways to help small family farms and farmworkers.

Ray Roa · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Tampa Bay Times: YesEditorial

The Times recommends Yes.

Other Florida papers disagree: the Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel recommend No.

Creative Loafing differs: it picks No. Its reasons are above.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes

  • Against Yes, Hillsborough County Democratic Party: Says it drains local budgets with no guardrails, mostly helps the largest operators, and could be done by statute instead. source
  • Against Yes, Guide note (Rep. Anna Eskamani): Cast the only House vote against it, citing windfalls for large agribusiness.

YES exempts farm equipment and other personal property on agricultural land (including agritourism) from property tax starting 2027; ~$31M/yr local revenue loss.

Yes

No progressive group supports it.

No

Recommended by 6

Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) cast the only House vote against it, citing windfalls for large agribusiness.

Conservative side
YES: sponsor Sen. Keith Truenow (R), Republican Party of Florida, Florida Farm Bureau, Florida TaxWatch. No campaign committee on either side.
Tampa Bay Times
No recommendation
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Democratic Party (statewide), Florida Policy Institute, Sierra Club Florida, 1000 Friends of Florida, Florida AFL-CIO, SEIU Florida, Florida Rising, Progress Florida, ACLU of Florida, Equality Florida. Not reached: Farmworker Association, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Florida Conservation Voters.

Amendment 3 — Homestead Exemption Increase / Non-Homestead Cap / Local Revenue Limits

Creative Loafing: NoTampa Bay Times: No
Mark your ballot: Amendment 3: Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No
  • State economists estimate local governments would lose about $11.8 billion a year by 2031–32. Even police and firefighter unions urge a No.
  • It was rushed through a three-day special session, and a judge threw out the first ballot title and summary.
  • The Florida Realtors lobby has put millions behind it. CL calls it a distraction from property insurance, the real cost problem, and a hypocritical power grab that would leave cities begging Tallahassee for money.
  • CL notes that even some of the amendment's former champions now say they'll vote No.

Ray Roa, Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

  • State economists estimate local governments would lose about $11.8 billion a year by 2031–32. Even police and firefighter unions urge a No.
  • It was rushed through a three-day special session, and a judge threw out the first ballot title and summary.
  • The Florida Realtors lobby has put millions behind it. CL calls it a distraction from property insurance, the real cost problem, and a hypocritical power grab that would leave cities begging Tallahassee for money.
  • CL notes that even some of the amendment's former champions now say they'll vote No.

Ray Roa · Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Tampa Bay Times: NoEditorial

The Times calls it “a tax-cut mirage.”

Supporters, led by the Realtors, frame it as major homeowner tax relief.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick

  • Against Yes, ACLU of Florida: Says the biggest benefits go to the most valuable homes while costs shift to renters, worsening racial inequities. source
  • Against Yes, Common Cause Florida: Calls it a power grab that centralizes authority in Tallahassee (Sept 30). source
  • Against Yes, Sierra Club Florida & Tampa Bay: Says it would gut local budgets and undercut storm-hardening (Sept 8). source
  • Against Yes, 1000 Friends of Florida: Estimates roughly $12B a year in local revenue loss by 2031; prefers review by the 2027 Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. source
  • Against Yes, Guide note (Florida Housing Coalition analysis): Projects rents rising about $400 a year for apartments and $1,000+ for rented houses; the coalition takes no formal position. source

YES raises the non-school homestead exemption to $150K (2027) and $250K (2028), cuts the non-homestead assessment cap from 10% to 5%, and restricts what local property taxes can fund. State economists estimate ~$5B in lost local revenue in year one, ~$11.8B/yr after five years.

Yes

No progressive group supports it.

No

Recommended by 22

Florida Housing Coalition analysis (no formal position) projects rent increases of ~$400/yr for apartments and $1,000+ for rented houses (source). David Jolly will vote NO.

Conservative side
YES: Florida Realtors (sole funder, ~$18M through September), Gov. DeSantis, Sen. Rick Scott, Byron Donalds, Republican Party of Florida. NO (not progressive): Florida TaxWatch, Florida Professional Firefighters, Florida State FOP, Florida Fire Chiefs, Florida Association of Counties; Florida League of Cities calls it "a tax shift."
Tampa Bay Times
No editorial recommendation; dueling guest columns ran Oct 14–19 link
Groups checked with nothing found

Florida Immigrant Coalition (nothing on the residency provision), Florida Watch, Florida Decides Healthcare.

Hillsborough County Referendums

Referendum 1 — Elected (Partisan) Superintendent of Schools

Creative Loafing: NoTampa Bay Times: No
Mark your ballot: Referendum 1: Providing for an Elected, Rather than an Appointed, Superintendent of Schools
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: NoEditorial

A district of about 200,000 students and a $4B budget should “prize professionalism over politics.” Hillsborough once switched to an appointed superintendent after an elected one was indicted.

The Times’ account of the case for Yes: voters get a direct say, and the superintendent is freed from the board.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick

  • Against Yes, Hillsborough County Democratic Party: Says an elected superintendent removes the board's accountability tool and makes the job partisan. source
  • Against Yes, Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA: Calls it a politicization of professional school leadership; says Florida PTA stands with it. source
  • Against Yes, Guide note: The Hillsborough School Board, a government body, unanimously passed a resolution against it.
  • Against Yes, Guide note: Finds no progressive group backing it; the main advocate is sponsor Rep. Owen.

YES makes the superintendent an elected, partisan office starting with the 2028 election, instead of being appointed by the School Board. Filed by Rep. Michael Owen (R); opposed by House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa).

Yes

No progressive group supports it; the main advocate is sponsor Rep. Owen.

No

Recommended by 4

The Hillsborough School Board (a government body) unanimously passed a resolution against it.

Conservative side
The Hillsborough GOP also recommends NO, even though a Republican legislator sponsored the bill.
Tampa Bay Times
Both recommend No (Oct 7) link
Groups checked with nothing found

League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County (2026), Sierra Club, Equality Florida, Florida Rising, Florida Freedom to Read Project, Indivisible, Our Revolution, FEA statewide.

Referendum 2 — Expand County Commission to 9, All Single-Member Districts

Creative Loafing: NoTampa Bay Times: No
Mark your ballot: Referendum 2: Amending the County Charter to Increase Number of County Commissioners, All Elected From Single-Member Districts
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks No

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Creative Loafing’s pick: NoEditorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: NoEditorial

“Four out of seven becomes one out of nine.” Countywide seats can’t be gerrymandered, and smaller districts give big donors more influence.

Some voting-rights advocates favor single-member districts because they can improve minority representation.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: Yes

  • Against Yes, Hillsborough County Democratic Party: Calls it a partisan power grab: district seats can be gerrymandered, it bypasses the Charter Review Board, and it would reduce minority representation. source
  • Against Yes, Guide note (League of Women Voters): Records secondhand that the Hillsborough LWV opposed a similar nine-district plan in 2018.

YES grows the commission from 7 to 9 members (11 at 2.5M population) and ends countywide seats. You would vote for 1 of 9 commissioners instead of 4 of 7. Filed by Reps. Owen and Valdés (R); the county's Charter Review Board declined to recommend it.

Yes

No progressive group supports it. Republican commissioners Hagan, Miller, Wostal and Boles support it; Cepeda (R), Cohen (D) and Myers (D) oppose it.

No

Recommended by 2

History: the Hillsborough League of Women Voters opposed a similar 9-district plan in 2018 (secondhand report). The Labor Council took no position.

Conservative side
Hillsborough GOP recommends YES.
Tampa Bay Times
Both recommend No — "less representative, more parochial and easier to gerrymander" (Oct 7) link
Groups checked with nothing found

League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County (2026), Florida Rising, Equality Florida, Our Revolution, Indivisible, NAACP, 1000 Friends of Florida, transit advocates.

Referendum 3 — Half-Cent School Capital Sales Surtax (renewal)

Both sides agree: For the taxCreative Loafing: Yes (renew the school sales tax)Tampa Bay Times: For the one-half cent tax
Mark your ballot: Referendum 3: One-Half Cent Sales Surtax for Public School Air Conditioning and Capital Improvements
EditorialWhy Creative Loafing picks Yes (renew the school sales tax)

Creative Loafing listed this pick in its guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we're voting for

Both sides agree: For the tax

3 progressive and 1 right-leaning support entries

  • Progressive, West Central Florida Labor Council, AFL-CIO: Included the surtax on its Oct 7 list, which the teachers union (HCTA) tells members to follow. source
  • Progressive, Hillsborough County Democratic Party: Frames it as a renewal of an existing tax, not a new one, with independent oversight. source
  • Progressive, Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA: Runs the "Half-Penny Promise" campaign for the surtax. source
  • Right-leaning, Hillsborough County Republican Party: Listed continuing the half-cent sales surtax on its official 2026 slate card. source

Creative Loafing’s pick: Yes (renew the school sales tax)Editorial

Listed in Creative Loafing’s guide without a write-up.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Tampa Bay Times: For the one-half cent taxEditorial

“A smart investment.”

The Times also urges the district to trim bureaucracy and consider closing underused schools.

The case against the right-leaning side’s pick: For the tax

This guide’s research records no argument against the right-leaning side’s pick here.

FOR continues the existing half-cent school sales tax for 10 years from Jan 1, 2029, for A/C replacement, construction, security and maintenance.

For the tax

Recommended by 3

Against the tax

No progressive group opposes it; unnamed critics want tighter spending guardrails.

Conservative side
The Hillsborough GOP also recommends YES.
Tampa Bay Times
Both recommend Yes (Oct 7) link
Groups checked with nothing found

Sierra Club (no position), Florida Rising, Equality Florida, League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County (2026), FEA statewide.

Caveats

  • "Nothing found" means no 2026 position turned up in web searches; it does not prove a group took none. Some groups (Our Revolution, Indivisible chapters, Young Democrats) post endorsements only on social media.
  • Florida Conservation Voters' endorsement page returned no content, so FCV could not be verified either way.
  • The Tampa Bay Times no longer issues editorial-board endorsements; 2026 recommendations are signed by CEO Conan Gallaty and Viewpoints editor Graham Brink, and only cover selected races.
  • The Florida Bar ended its merit-retention poll in 2023, so there is no 2026 Bar poll; 2020 figures are shown as the most recent.
  • Florida constitutional amendments need 60% to pass. Sources conflict on whether the county referendums need 60% or a simple majority.
Companion to the precinct 403 ballot. Florida constitutional amendments need 60% to pass. Positions reported as found; this guide makes no recommendations of its own.

Where to vote