Treasure Coast Races Take Shape as Florida's 2026 Qualifying Period Closes

Florida's 2026 election ballot locked into place Friday as qualifying closed statewide, with immediate consequences for the Treasure Coast: a newly redrawn congressional map has reshuffled district lines in ways that could shift political power in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties for a decade.

The most direct local flashpoint is the race to represent Port St. Lucie. State Rep. Jason Shoaf, a Republican, qualified Friday for re-election, public records show — giving the Treasure Coast a familiar name on the ballot in a chamber where the GOP holds firm control. Shoaf's return was part of a wave: nine House Republicans won re-election bids without opposition on qualifying day.

The bigger drama plays out in Florida's redrawn congressional map, which tilts more Republican-friendly under boundaries drawn after the 2020 census. District 14, which now absorbs additional conservative, rural territory under the new map, has drawn six Republican challengers to Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. Among those in the GOP primary field are former state Rep. Mike Beltran of Riverview and state Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City.

The governor's race will be decided without a sitting officeholder on the ballot — a rare dynamic that has drawn 18 declared candidates. Eleven paid the $10,440 qualifying fee to run as Republicans. Congressman Byron Donalds, who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, has emerged as the Republican frontrunner. Former House Speaker Paul Renner, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, and conservative activist James Fishback also qualified on the Republican side. Democrats David Jolly and state Rep. Dotie Joseph of North Miami both qualified. Joseph, an attorney who was term-limited in the House this year, filed with little public fanfare, public documents indicate.

For statewide cabinet seats, the chief financial officer contest will feature a Democratic primary between Annette Taddeo — a former state senator who was former Gov. Charlie Crist's 2014 running mate — and Earle Ford of Lutz. The winner faces either incumbent Blaise Ingoglia or Frank Collier of Glen St. Mary in November.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson faces a primary challenge from Matt Taylor, a Republican from Plant City who goes by Matt the Welder. On the Democratic side, Joeye Mendoza Atkins of Miami and Don Prichard, a Pembroke Park law enforcement officer and former Broward County Sheriff's deputy, both filed.

Attorney General James Uthmeier will face former state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Democrat from Miami, in November.

In the state Senate, Republican-dominated chambers saw relatively little turbulence. In District 21, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco qualified to run against Democrat Jordan Hensley of Port Richey. That seat opened when Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, announced he was stepping down with two years remaining in his term.

The primary election is the next major milestone, with partisan contests to be settled before the November 2026 general election. Candidate financial disclosure deadlines and campaign reporting requirements begin immediately for all qualified candidates, the Division of Elections indicates.

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.