Democrat Set to Capture HD 47 After GOP Rep. Stark Misses Qualifying Deadline

A two-term Republican state representative who twice won a traditionally Democratic district appears to have lost her seat before a single general-election vote was cast. Rep. Paula Stark failed to qualify for re-election in Florida House District 47.

With Stark off the ballot, the only qualifying candidates in HD 47 are two Democrats — Jorge Figueroa and Anthony Nieves — meaning the seat will return to Democratic hands regardless of which man wins. Because both candidates share a party, all registered voters in the district, regardless of party affiliation, may cast a ballot in the Aug. 18 primary. The district covers St. Cloud, east Kissimmee and a slice of Orange County.

Stark's exit ends a politically improbable run. She rode a statewide Republican wave to victory in 2022 in a district that had long leaned blue, drawing notice for a governing style that occasionally broke from her party's leadership. She was one of just two Republicans to vote against legislation banning local governments from funding parades, festivals and other events celebrating diversity, equality and inclusion — a bill critics said threatened cultural gatherings ranging from Pride marches to St. Patrick's Day parades.

Her tenure was shadowed, however, by persistent campaign finance problems. The state shut down her affiliated political committee, Friends of Paula, last year after it failed to pay more than $16,000 in fines tied to late campaign finance reports filed in 2023. Records tied to the committee — run by Stark's boyfriend — also showed a $953 expenditure at a St. Cloud auto repair shop. "Clearly we got behind," Stark said in 2024. "There is no question that the expenses are legitimate."

Figueroa, one of the two Democrats now vying for the seat, serves as president of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Nieves is a former state investigator.

The Aug. 18 primary will function as the de facto general election for HD 47. Treasure Coast voters in adjacent legislative districts should watch whether the seat's return to Democratic hands shifts committee assignments or floor dynamics in the Florida House when the 2026 session begins.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.