Showdown Looms: Who Takes on Castor & Luna?
Florida Primary Results Set Up November Showdown for Congressional Districts 13 and 14
What Happened in the Primary?
Florida held its primary elections, and voters picked the Republican and Democratic candidates who will compete in November for two important U.S. House seats: District 13 and District 14. Think of a primary like a tryout—each party chooses its best player to go to the big championship game (the general election).
Meet the Candidates
Here are the four people who will be on the ballot in November:
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District 13 (currently held by Republican Anna Paulina Luna)
- Republican: Anna Paulina Luna (the incumbent—that means she has the job right now)
- Democrat: Leela Gray (won her primary with over 65% of the vote)
- District 14 (currently held by Democrat Kathy Castor)
- Democrat: Kathy Castor (the incumbent)
- Republican: Mike Beltran (won his primary with over 45% of the vote in a crowded field)
How the Primary Went
Democratic Primary – District 13
- Leela Gray beat two other Democratic candidates.
- She earned more than 65% of the vote—a strong, clear win.
Republican Primary – District 14
- Mike Beltran competed against seven other Republicans.
- He came out on top with more than 45% of the vote.
- With so many candidates, getting the most votes—even under 50%—was enough to win.
Important Point
In Florida, you don’t need 50%+ to win a primary. The person with the most votes wins, even if it’s less than half. That’s why Beltran could win with ~45% in a field of eight.
What’s Next? The General Election
The primary was just the first round. Now the real matchups begin:
- November 3, 2026 – Election Day
- District 13: Anna Paulina Luna (R) vs. Leela Gray (D)
- District 14: Kathy Castor (D) vs. Mike Beltran (R)
Voters in each district will choose who represents them in Washington for the next two years.
Summary
- Florida primaries picked the November candidates for Congressional Districts 13 and 14.
- Leela Gray (Dem) won big in District 13; Mike Beltran (Rep) edged a crowded field in District 14.
- Incumbents Anna Paulina Luna (R, Dist. 13) and Kathy Castor (D, Dist. 14) will defend their seats.
- General election is November 3, 2026.
FAQ
Q: What is a primary election?
A: A primary is like a team tryout. Each political party (Republican, Democrat, etc.) holds its own election to decide which candidate will represent them in the general election.
Q: What does “incumbent” mean?
A: The incumbent is the person who currently holds the office. They’re the one trying to keep their job.
Q: Why did Mike Beltran win with only 45% of the vote?
A: Because there were eight Republicans running. When lots of people split the vote, the winner often gets less than 50%. Florida uses “plurality voting”—whoever gets the most votes wins, even if it’s not a majority.
Q: When is the general election?
A: November 3, 2026. That’s when all voters—regardless of party—choose between the Republican and Democratic nominees (and any third-party candidates).
Q: Where can I find more information about the candidates?
A: Check official campaign websites, local news outlets like FOX 13 News, or the Florida Division of Elections website for voter guides and sample ballots closer to November.