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Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2026

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2024
Florida's 15th Congressional District
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General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 24, 2026
Primary: Pending
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Florida

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Florida's 15th Congressional District
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Florida elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

All U.S. House districts, including the 15th Congressional District of Florida, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Florida District 15

Incumbent Laurel Lee, Jose Engell, Darren McAuley, Kimberly Overman, and Robert People are running in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Jose Engell

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "My name is Jose Engell, I go by Joe, I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, have been living in Tampa for 10 years, I’m Gen Z, and I’m tired of having mediocre politicians. I’m running to fight for a better society for all of us. I’m running for my mom, for my grandpa, for my family, for my friends, for my neighbors, for everyone in my district, for my generation and every other generation. I’m young but I mean business, I’m ready to fight."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


I’m fighting for working class Americans, I want to look out for their rights, that they’re always treated fairly and paid fairly. I’m not running to serve corporations, I’m running to hold them accountable. I support workers and unions.


I want to fight for universal healthcare, medicare for all, however you want to call it. We’re the only first world country without it and it’s ridiculous, no one should go bankrupt because of medical bills nor should be afraid of going to the hospital. It’s time that we raise our standards of living.


I also want to fight for paid maternity leave, we’re the only first world country without it and it would help encourage people to have children by reducing financial stress. And also, make sure that we protect social security that our senior citizens, like my grandpa, rely on to live.

Image of Robert People

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I am 46 years old and a retired Army veteran. I served for 21 years and am running for Congress because I want to continue public service. I have spoken many times over the years about the changes that need to happen in this country and I no longer want to remain on the sidelines. I want to be part of the solution."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


I want to protect Social Security. However, I want to do more than simply say this. I want to propose that full amounts be returned to rightful owners. At this point, the government cannot be trusted with this money, and we need to give the funds back to whom they belong.


I want to propose placing more attention on women's reproductive and health rights. I want to start by reversing the harmful policies in place, especially regarding abortion. Also, women have such problems when dealing with medical issues and I want to propose fixing these issues so women are not be treated or viewed as men (since we are the default for just about everything).


I want to propose increasing teacher salaries nationwide. It will start with District 15, and I will focus on the county school budgets to shift funds from wasteful spending to paying teachers what they deserve.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Florida

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

I’m fighting for working class Americans, I want to look out for their rights, that they’re always treated fairly and paid fairly. I’m not running to serve corporations, I’m running to hold them accountable. I support workers and unions.

I want to fight for universal healthcare, medicare for all, however you want to call it. We’re the only first world country without it and it’s ridiculous, no one should go bankrupt because of medical bills nor should be afraid of going to the hospital. It’s time that we raise our standards of living.

I also want to fight for paid maternity leave, we’re the only first world country without it and it would help encourage people to have children by reducing financial stress. And also, make sure that we protect social security that our senior citizens, like my grandpa, rely on to live.
I want to protect Social Security. However, I want to do more than simply say this. I want to propose that full amounts be returned to rightful owners. At this point, the government cannot be trusted with this money, and we need to give the funds back to whom they belong.

I want to propose placing more attention on women's reproductive and health rights. I want to start by reversing the harmful policies in place, especially regarding abortion. Also, women have such problems when dealing with medical issues and I want to propose fixing these issues so women are not be treated or viewed as men (since we are the default for just about everything).

I want to propose increasing teacher salaries nationwide. It will start with District 15, and I will focus on the county school budgets to shift funds from wasteful spending to paying teachers what they deserve.
Healthcare, Economy, Education, and every other area that helps and benefits my constituents.
Social Security, women's reproductive and health rights, requiring ICE agents to identify themselves FULLY and to treat detainees as human beings (unlike what is taking place now), proposing the destruction of the "Alligator Alley" detention facility that is set to start July 2025, proposing amendments to the Constitution to allow the President of the United States to be held accountable for behavior by means OTHER than from Congress, as the majority of its members voted for the president, and this is a serious conflict of interest. These are just some of what I would like to tackle when I am in office.
I look up to my grandpa, he’s always taught me to treat others how I want to be treated, to be selfless.
I look up to former President Barack Obama. He did an amazing job as president, and I admire his excellent ability to communicate consistently in just about any setting.
Nothing at this time. I am reading several books at the moment including "Invisible Women" and "A Promised Land."
Honesty, integrity, responsibility, and compassion when needed.
Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency
I have integrity, I’m respectful towards others, I’m not afraid to stand up for what’s right.
My passion to care about people, as evidenced in my serving in the Army for 21 years, would serve me best in office, especially as the people are who I will be working for.
To always work for the good of the people. To work for what’s best for the constituents.
Keeping constituents informed and remembering that we work for them, NOT the president. Proposing legislation that helps citizens. Holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable.
I would like for people to remember me as someone who was in office to serve others, someone who always looked out for the needs of the people.
I want to leave people with a full and complete understanding that we as members of Congress truly work for them. I want people to return to the feeling of a representative who is truly here for them and not lobbyists, PACs, or the president.
While many historical events happened in my childhood, the first one that I actually heard of as it happened was the fall of the Berlin wall.
Wendy's. I worked there for nearly two years as a teenager before joining the Army.
I am currently enjoying "Invisible Women" by Caroline Criado Perez.
A major struggle for me is caring too much for others to where I eventually overwhelm myself by trying so hard at times.
We can propose legislation on a federal level to affect all citizens nationwide.
I believe it’s beneficial but not necessary. Some people have other backgrounds and experiences that have helped them be ready to serve in office.
No, because the majority of those in office now have experience and things are a hot mess. Public office was once intended for everyday/working class folks to run, but since money has become such a huge part of politics, it has become difficult for everyday folks to run.
Removing all the personnel connected to the Trump administration from any government offices.
I believe that when serving the first term it can be a challenge because you need to get used to how things work in Congress while also start campaigning again in a few months.
No, I feel this should be extended to three years.
It has its pros and cons.
I am in favor of term limits.
I am just going to be who I am, be truthful, and do what’s best for my people.
Jasmine Crockett. She is unapologetically herself and knows her job. She also does not engage in the so-called "political speak." She ultimately speaks her mind and is truly a representation of our community.
A woman shared a story with me recently where she was experiencing a medical issue, and she was treated as practically second-class. Because this was an issue that only women experienced and it was clear that the doctor lacked experience, this was stressful for this woman and led her to cry. At one point, she stated that she was told to stop crying or the doctor would not continue with the visit. This is largely why I want to do more about women's health and how women are treated.
I like Dad jokes: Why is it okay to lie to dentists? Because they can't handle the tooth.
Yes, in many cases, this is the only way we can create policies that help all people involved.
I would look at our spending and properly identify fraud, waste, and abuse, mainly for both Social Security and increasing teacher salaries, along with other areas as well.
House Committee on Ways and Means. Education and Workforce Committee
No committees at this time.
The government is supposed to serve the people and work for the people so there should be transparency. Accountability is always important.
The government is doing a terrible job of not only spending, but with FULL transparency of how money is spent, and accountability is at an all-time low. Illegal acts happening constantly and nothing being done about it is unacceptable from our elected leaders.


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Laurel Lee Republican Party $606,120 $201,399 $839,492 As of June 30, 2025
Jose Engell Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Darren McAuley Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Kimberly Overman Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Robert People Democratic Party $8,767 $2,854 $5,913 As of June 30, 2025

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/2/20258/26/20258/19/20258/12/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 15

Incumbent Laurel Lee defeated Pat Kemp in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Laurel Lee
Laurel Lee (R)
 
56.2
 
195,334
Image of Pat Kemp
Pat Kemp (D)
 
43.8
 
152,361

Total votes: 347,695
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Pat Kemp advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15

Incumbent Laurel Lee defeated James Judge and Jennifer Barbosa in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 20, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Laurel Lee
Laurel Lee
 
72.3
 
28,571
Image of James Judge
James Judge Candidate Connection
 
18.1
 
7,137
Image of Jennifer Barbosa
Jennifer Barbosa Candidate Connection
 
9.6
 
3,809

Total votes: 39,517
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2022

See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 15

Laurel Lee defeated Alan Cohn in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Laurel Lee
Laurel Lee (R)
 
58.5
 
145,219
Image of Alan Cohn
Alan Cohn (D)
 
41.5
 
102,835

Total votes: 248,054
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15

Alan Cohn defeated Gavin Brown, Eddie Geller, Cesar Ramirez, and William VanHorn in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Alan Cohn
Alan Cohn
 
33.1
 
14,928
Image of Gavin Brown
Gavin Brown Candidate Connection
 
22.3
 
10,034
Image of Eddie Geller
Eddie Geller Candidate Connection
 
21.9
 
9,859
Image of Cesar Ramirez
Cesar Ramirez
 
17.3
 
7,817
Image of William VanHorn
William VanHorn Candidate Connection
 
5.4
 
2,435

Total votes: 45,073
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15

Laurel Lee defeated Kelli Stargel, Jackie Toledo, Demetries Grimes, and Kevin McGovern in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 23, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Laurel Lee
Laurel Lee
 
41.5
 
22,481
Image of Kelli Stargel
Kelli Stargel
 
27.8
 
15,072
Image of Jackie Toledo
Jackie Toledo
 
11.6
 
6,307
Image of Demetries Grimes
Demetries Grimes Candidate Connection
 
10.4
 
5,629
Image of Kevin McGovern
Kevin McGovern Candidate Connection
 
8.7
 
4,713

Total votes: 54,202
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 15

Scott Franklin defeated Alan Cohn in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 15 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Franklin
Scott Franklin (R)
 
55.4
 
216,374
Image of Alan Cohn
Alan Cohn (D) Candidate Connection
 
44.6
 
174,297

Total votes: 390,671
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15

Alan Cohn defeated Adam Hattersley, Jesse Philippe, and Kel Britvec in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Alan Cohn
Alan Cohn Candidate Connection
 
41.0
 
21,079
Image of Adam Hattersley
Adam Hattersley Candidate Connection
 
33.0
 
16,978
Image of Jesse Philippe
Jesse Philippe Candidate Connection
 
26.0
 
13,384
Image of Kel Britvec
Kel Britvec (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
0

Total votes: 51,441
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15

Scott Franklin defeated incumbent Ross Spano in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 15 on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Franklin
Scott Franklin
 
51.2
 
30,736
Image of Ross Spano
Ross Spano
 
48.8
 
29,265

Total votes: 60,001
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.



District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

Florida 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018


Senators
Representatives
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Neal Dunn (R)
District 3
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District 5
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Anna Luna (R)
District 14
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Republican Party (22)
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