Ruth's List Florida

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Reproductive rights

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Progressive lens

On this ballot

• Board of County Commissioners — District 7
  Mark your ballot: Board of County Commissioners — District 7

  Joshua WostalREP (Republican)Aileen RodriguezCreative Loafing's pickDEM (Democratic)

  Clear

  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

• Chief Financial Officer
  Mark your ballot: Chief Financial Officer

  Blaise IngogliaREP (Republican)Annette TaddeoCreative Loafing's pickDEM (Democratic)

  Clear

  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

• Governor and Lieutenant Governor
  Mark your ballot: Governor and Lieutenant Governor

  Byron Donalds and Bryan AvilaREP (Republican)David Jolly and Gwen GrahamCreative Loafing's pickDEM (Democratic)Scott Eckhard Jewett and Nicole SkellyLPF (Libertarian Party of Florida)Charles Burkett and Ruben A. CotoNPA (No Party Affiliation)Frank J. Russo and Rachel RodriguezNPA (No Party Affiliation)Moliere "Moe" Dimanche and Benjiman RojasNPA (No Party Affiliation)Dean Ocean Abrams and Joe Van VactorNPA (No Party Affiliation)Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto and Juan SantanaNPA (No Party Affiliation)Write-in

  Clear

  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

• School Board Member — District 6
  Mark your ballot: School Board Member — District 6

  Kenneth "Ken" GayNonpartisanKaren PerezCreative Loafing's pickNonpartisan

  Clear

  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

Stances Endorsement

Each endorser's own stated position, as recorded in the progressive and right-leaning guides.

Where it appears