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Florida State Senate District 14
Florida State Senate District 14 is vacant. It was last represented by Jay Collins (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Florida state senators represented an average of 539,263 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 472,519 residents.
To learn more about the 2026 special election for Florida State Senate District 14, click here.
About the office
Members of the Florida State Senate serve four-year terms with term limits. However, in the election following reapportionment, some senators are elected to two-year terms, in order to maintain staggered terms among the senators.[1] Florida legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.
Qualifications
Article III, Section 15 of the Florida Constitution states: "Each legislator shall be at least twenty-one years of age, an elector and resident of the district from which elected and shall have resided in the state for a period of two years prior to election."[2]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2025[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $29,697/year | $175/day for a maximum of 60 days. |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Florida legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Florida Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Florida senators are subject to term limits of no more than two four-year terms.
The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.[4]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Florida State Legislature, a special election must be called to fill the vacant seat.[5] The governor is responsible for calling the election and must consult with the secretary of state to set the election dates and nominating deadlines.[6] The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.[7]
See sources: Florida Stat. § 100.101
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
On March 3, 2022, the Florida Supreme Court approved new legislative maps drawn by the Florida State Legislature. These maps took effect for Florida's 2022 legislative elections.
The maps were passed by the legislature as a joint resolution. The Florida State Senate voted 34-3 to approve the bill on January 20, and the Florida House of Representatives voted 77-39 to approve the bill on February 2.[8] Since the maps were passed as a joint resolution, they did not require the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to become law. After the legislature approved the maps, they submitted them to Attorney General Ashley B. Moody (R), who then petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to review the maps on February 9.[9][10]
How does redistricting in Florida work? In Florida, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional lines are adopted as regular legislation and are subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative lines are passed via joint resolution and are not subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative district maps are automatically submitted to the Florida Supreme Court for approval. In the event that the court rejects the lines, the legislature is given a second chance to draft a plan. If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, the state attorney general must ask the state supreme court to draft a plan. There are no similar procedures in place for congressional districts.[11]
The Florida Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. Also, "where doing so does not conflict with minority rights, [districts] must be compact and utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible." Districts cannot be drawn in such a way as to "favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent."[11][12]
Florida State Senate District 14
until November 7, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Florida State Senate District 14
starting November 8, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2026
A special election for Florida State Senate District 14 has been called for March 24, 2026. A primary is scheduled to take place on January 13, 2026. The candidate filing deadline was November 18, 2025.[13]
The seat became vacant on August 12, 2025, after Jay Collins (R) resigned from office following his appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Florida.[14]
General election
The primary will occur on January 13, 2026. The general election will occur on March 24, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 14
Brian Nathan is running in the special Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 14 on January 13, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Brian Nathan | |
| ||||
 = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 14
Josie Tomkow is running in the special Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 14 on January 13, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Josie Tomkow | |
| ||||
| = 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 State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Florida State Senate District 14
Jay Collins defeated incumbent Janet Cruz in the general election for Florida State Senate District 14 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jay Collins (R) | 54.6 | 104,776 |
 | Janet Cruz (D) | 45.4 | 87,216 | |
| Total votes: 191,992 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Janet Cruz advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 14.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Jay Collins advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 14.
2018
General election
General election for Florida State Senate District 14
Tom Wright defeated Melissa Martin in the general election for Florida State Senate District 14 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tom Wright (R) | 56.3 | 124,055 |
 | Melissa Martin (D) | 43.7 | 96,161 | |
| Total votes: 220,216 | |||
| = 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
- Dorothy Hukill (R)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 14
Melissa Martin advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 14 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Melissa Martin |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 14
Incumbent Dorothy Hukill advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 14 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ |  | Dorothy Hukill |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.
Incumbent Dorothy Hukill defeated Richard Paul Dembinsky in the Florida State Senate District 14 general election.[15][16]
| Florida State Senate, District 14 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dorothy Hukill Incumbent |
68.44% | 158,946 | |
| No party affiliation | Richard Paul Dembinsky | 31.56% | 73,299 | |
| Total Votes | 232,245 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Dorothy Hukill ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 14 Republican primary.[17][18]
| Florida State Senate, District 14 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Dorothy Hukill Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Richard Paul Dembinsky listed no party affiliation on the candidate list.
2014
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Darren Soto was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Devin Norton (I) in the general election.[19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Darren Soto Incumbent |
75% | 71,029 | |
| Independent | Devin Norton | 25% | 23,625 | |
| Total Votes | 94,654 | |||
2012
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the Florida State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 8, 2012. Darren Soto (D) defeated William McBride (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the August 14 primary elections.[21][22]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Darren Soto |
70% | 113,222 | |
| Republican | William McBride | 30% | 48,440 | |
| Total Votes | 161,662 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2012 to 2022, candidates for Florida State Senate District 14 raised a total of $2,507,007. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $227,910 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Florida State Senate District 14 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2022 | $1,018,168 | 2 | $509,084 |
| 2018 | $336,658 | 3 | $112,219 |
| 2016 | $275,473 | 2 | $137,737 |
| 2014 | $142,175 | 2 | $71,088 |
| 2012 | $734,532 | 2 | $367,266 |
| Total | $2,507,007 | 11 | $227,910 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Florida Senate Website Archive, "Florida Constitution," accessed December 16, 2013(referenced Article III, Section 15a)
- ↑ The Florida Senate, "Constitution of the State of Florida," accessed February 10, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
- ↑ Florida State Legisature, "Florida Constitution," accessed February 11. 2021
- ↑ Florida Legislature, "2023 Florida Statutes," accessed January 23, 2024 (Statute 100.101(2), Florida Election Code)
- ↑ Florida Legislature, "2023 Florida Statutes," accessed January 23, 2024 (Statute 100.141 (1) (2), Florida Election Code)
- ↑ Florida Legislature, "2023 Florida Statutes," accessed January 23, 2024 (Statute 100.111 (1) (a-c), Florida Election Code)
- ↑ Florida State Senate, "CS/SJR 100: Joint Resolution of Apportionment," accessed March 3, 2022
- ↑ Florida Politics, "Florida Legislature approves redistricting maps for Senate and House," February 3, 2022
- ↑ Florida Politics, "Ashley Moody petitions court on legislative maps as congressional redistricting continues to pitter," February 9, 2022
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 All About Redistricting, "Florida," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ Florida Constitution, "Article III, Sections 20-21," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ Florida Secretary of State, "NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 14," October 28, 2025
- ↑ Patch, "State Senator, Ex-Green Beret Chosen As FL's New Lt. Gov.," August 12, 2025
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate listing for 2016 general election," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "November 8, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidates and Races," accessed July 1, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed September 22, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2014 Florida Election Watch - Multi-County or District Offices," accessed September 3, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed June 23, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Official 2012 General Election Results," accessed December 6, 2013
- ↑ Florida Elections Division, "Candidate List," accessed June 14, 2012
