Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Sen. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) announced their endorsement of Republican Josie Tomkow in her attempt to retake Florida's Senate District 14 seat in November.
"Josie Tomkow is an independent thinker with a proven record of getting things done. She has fought to make Florida safe for our families, worked to create more access to opportunities for our students and to ensure government doesn't get in the way of job creation with needless red tape," Boyd and Trumbull said in a statement.
"Josie has helped balance our state budget, prioritizing taxpayers' hard-earned dollars. She has taken a stand for our seniors, for our Veterans, and for hard-working families across our state," Boyd and Trumbull continued. "We are proud to endorse Josie Tomkow for Senate District 14, because we need leaders like her in the fight for a more affordable Florida."
Tomkow, a seventh-generation Floridian and cattle rancher, lost the vacant seat in a special election to Democrat Brian Nathan by 405 votes (50.25% to 49.75%). SD 14 covers part of Hillsborough County, including major portions of Tampa.
Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Collins held the seat before Nathan's upset last week. Lt. Gov. Collins resigned from the seat to become lieutenant governor under Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2025.
Notably, Gov. Ron DeSantis was not involved in Rep. Tomkow's race, asserting Tomkow's lack of support for his legislative agenda.
Will the governor change his tune for the general election on Nov. 3?
The GOP's loss was coupled with a shocking upset in Florida's House District 87 the same night, which was also previously held by a Republican. In that race, Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples by 800 votes (51.2% to 48.8%).
Notably, Maples had been endorsed by President Donald Trump. The District is also the home of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, giving Florida Democrats a bit more to brag about.
Like Tomkow, Maples is giving it another go, having picked up the endorsement of the Florida Republican Campaign Committee this week.
