Here's why these Republicans want to challenge Florida Rep. Kathy Castor

Shauna Muckle, Tampa Bay Times on Jun 18, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Republicans with ambitions for Congress have a new chance after redistricting.

Eight Republicans are seeking the right to challenge Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor, whose seat flipped from blue to red under the state’s new congressional map.

Before they can focus on the November general election, they’ll have to narrow that crowded primary field.

Six of those candidates tried to differentiate themselves before the Hillsborough County Republican Party and Tampa Bay Area Young Republicans on Tuesday night.

The new District 14 covers South Tampa and much of eastern Hillsborough County, and it would have gone for President Donald Trump by around 11 points in 2024.

But thanks to Castor’s incumbent status, the red-leaning district is still considered one of the most competitive U.S. House races in the country by ratings services like Cook Political Report.

The Republicans running for the seat are former state Rep. Mike Beltran, former White House staffer Bea Valenti, state Rep. Kevin Steele of Pasco County, business owner John Peters, Navy veteran Robert “Rocky” Rochford, Tampa restaurant owner Ergin “Batman” Tek, brewery operator Gavriel Soriano and former Wall Street analyst Michael Marcel.

Steele and Marcel missed Tuesday’s debate. Steele instead attended a rally hosted by U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the GOP front-runner for governor.

Here’s what the other six candidates told prospective voters.

Former state Rep. Mike Beltran

Beltran launched his campaign after redistricting with $1 million of his own money. He retired from the Legislature in 2024, when he voted against a state budget that was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He said in an interview with Florida Phoenix that the budget had grown too much.

When candidates were asked what funding they’d try to bring back to Hillsborough County, Beltran hedged his answer.

“I don’t want to do pork barrel projects, because I don’t want to be leveraged in Washington to vote for bad policy,” he said. “For six years, I went to Tallahassee, I did one appropriations project for a trade academy, and I didn’t trade bad policy for pork barrel projects. Nobody’s ever complained that I didn’t.”

His response was met with cheers.

In his closing remarks, he noted that “I’m the only person on this stage who’s ever won an election,” while at least one other candidate shook his head.

Business owner John Peters

A franchise owner for Stanley Steemer, Peters shifted his candidacy from an open seat in District 16 to challenging Castor after redistricting.

He told the crowd that he’s not a politician and advertised himself as a hard worker. He’s only missed six days of work since 1992, he said.

“Everything I have, I work for,” he said. “Nobody gave me nothing except an opportunity.”

Peters at times embraced slightly more moderate positions than the rest of the contenders. He argued the United States should “wean” Ukraine off aid, for example.

Navy veteran Rocky Rochford

Rochford, who has never held elected office before, won the primary to challenge Castor last cycle. He lost by more than 15 points.

But, he told the crowd, he netted more Republican votes than the GOP contender in 2022.

He touted his proposed “children’s bill of rights‚“ which promotes digital safety, mental health and ”parental rights," among other reforms. Regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files, he said he wants to know “exactly who did what to what kids.”

Should he advance from the primary, Rochford could have a chance against Castor. But, in Beltran and Steele, he faces two better-funded rivals with governing experience.

Brewery operator Gavriel Soriano

Soriano, a farmer and brewery operator, made his first run for office in 2022, when he challenged incumbent GOP Rep. Daniel Webster for his Central Florida seat. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer challenged Webster, though the incumbent held onto his seat.

Soriano said he was asked to drop out of the race to prevent a Loomer win, but he refused.

He also criticized candidates who entered the race only after redistricting gave Republicans a chance.

“You don’t get in when the race is favorable,” Soriano said. “You have to prove yourself when it’s hard.”

He said that he’d bring dollars back to Hillsborough County to fund high-speed rail.

Tampa restaurant owner Ergin “Batman” Tek

Tek is another first-time candidate. He owned Gengiz Khan Restaurant in South Tampa and founded a non-profit, Feed in Need Inc., that provided hot food to those in need, according to his LinkedIn page.

He told the audience that he would focus on preparing the region for storms and lowering the cost of living. He touted his work ethic.

He drew big applause when he proposed cutting off all foreign aid.

“If you want a loan, in return we can get access to their natural resources,” he said.

Former White House staffer Bea Valenti

Valenti, who was also a staffer for U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, said she was the only candidate “who can go toe-to-toe with (Castor) on a debate stage,” given her experience in federal government. She’s the only woman in the Republican primary.

She proposed a bill extending federal tax breaks on tips and overtime pay. Valenti disagreed with Beltran, saying if there are federal dollars on the table, District 14’s representative should try to get that money back to Hillsborough County instead of letting it go elsewhere.

“I just want to clarify that cop cars, anything that we’re giving to our first responders and police, is not pork,” she said. “We have to make sure that they have the resources that they need.”

Crowd reaction

Debi Potts, an audience member and party volunteer, said she was impressed by Valenti.

Both Gwen Salt and Kurt Christensen said they’re still behind Rochford after the last election cycle. Salt said she expects, of those on stage, it will come down to Beltran, Valenti and Rochford.

“Rocky’s retired Navy ... he’s a war fighter,” said Christensen, who is volunteering for Rochford’s campaign. “In the military, we look for solutions. We build coalitions. We’re not politicians.”