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Kelli Stargel
Kelli Stargel (Republican Party) was a member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 22. She assumed office on November 8, 2016. She left office on November 8, 2022.
Stargel (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 15th Congressional District. She lost in the Republican primary on August 23, 2022.
Stargel was first elected to the state Senate in 2012. She represented District 15 in the state Senate from 2012 to 2016. She served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 64 from 2008 to 2012.
Stargel was a district-level delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Florida. She was one of 99 delegates from Florida pledged to support Donald Trump for three ballots.[1][2] As of July 13, 2016, Trump had approximately 1,542 delegates. The winner of the Republican nomination needed the support of 1,237 delegates. Trump formally won the nomination on July 19, 2016.
Biography
Kelli Stargel was born on March 23 in Tampa, FL. She attended Tallahassee Community College. Stargel's work experience includes being an investment property manager. In addition to her work, she has public servant experience as chair of the Public Service Commission Nominating Council, a member of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, a commissioner of the Education Commission of the States, and a member of the Commission on Marriage and Family Support Initiatives. Stargel received the Distinguished Advocate Award from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Champion for the Elderly award from the Florida Health Care Association, and the Legislator of the Year award from the Florida Farm Bureau. She has also been affiliated with the Republican Woman's Club of Lakeland.[3]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2021-2022
Stargel was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Rules Committee
- Senate Appropriations Committee, Chair
- Banking and Insurance Committee
- Joint Legislative Budget Commission, Alternating Chair
- Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee
2019-2020
Stargel was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Appropriations Committee
- Education Pre-K - 12 Committee
- Ethics and Elections Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Senate Rules Committee
- Finance and Tax Committee
- Collective Bargaining Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Appropriations |
| • Children, Families, and Elder Affairs |
| • Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities |
| • Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Stargel served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Fiscal Policy |
| • Higher Education, Chair |
| • Judiciary |
| • Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security |
| • Regulated Industries |
| • Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Stargel served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Regulated Industries, Chair |
| • Commerce and Tourism |
| • Community Affairs |
| • Education |
| • Public Counsel Oversight |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Stargel served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Rules & Calendar |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Stargel served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • PreK-12 Appropriations, Vice chair |
| • PreK-12 Policy |
| • Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy |
Elections
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 | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurel Lee (R) | 58.5 | 145,219 |
 | Alan Cohn (D) | 41.5 | 102,835 | |
| Total votes: 248,054 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Bertges (No Party Affiliation)
- Josue Vazquez (No Party Affiliation)
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Alan Cohn | 33.1 | 14,928 |
 | Gavin Brown | 22.3 | 10,034 | |
 | Eddie Geller | 21.9 | 9,859 | |
 | Cesar Ramirez | 17.3 | 7,817 | |
 | William VanHorn | 5.4 | 2,435 | |
| Total votes: 45,073 | |||
| = 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
- Jesse Philippe (D)
- Lily Ramcharran (D)
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Laurel Lee | 41.5 | 22,481 |
 | Kelli Stargel | 27.8 | 15,072 | |
 | Jackie Toledo | 11.6 | 6,307 | |
 | Demetries Grimes | 10.4 | 5,629 | |
 | Kevin McGovern | 8.7 | 4,713 | |
| Total votes: 54,202 | |||
| = 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
- Dennis A. Ross (R)
- Jay Collins (R)
2018
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Florida State Senate District 22
Incumbent Kelli Stargel defeated Bob Doyel in the general election for Florida State Senate District 22 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kelli Stargel (R) | 52.8 | 105,575 |
 | Bob Doyel (D) | 47.2 | 94,295 | |
| Total votes: 199,870 | |||
| = 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
Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 22
Bob Doyel defeated Ricardo Rangel in the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 22 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bob Doyel | 66.1 | 20,784 |
 | Ricardo Rangel | 33.9 | 10,677 | |
| Total votes: 31,461 | |||
| = 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 22
Incumbent Kelli Stargel advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 22 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Kelli Stargel |
| ||||
| = 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 Kelli Stargel defeated Debra Smith Wright in the Florida State Senate District 22 general election.[4][5]
| Florida State Senate, District 22 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Kelli Stargel Incumbent |
53.49% | 116,464 | |
| Democratic | Debra Smith Wright | 46.51% | 101,261 | |
| Total Votes | 217,725 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections | ||||
Debra Smith Wright ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 22 Democratic primary.[6][7]
| Florida State Senate, District 22 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Debra Smith Wright (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Kelli Stargel ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 22 Republican primary.[6][7]
| Florida State Senate, District 22 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Kelli Stargel Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2012
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012
Stargel won election in the 2012 election for Florida State Senate District 15. Stargel defeated Jack Myers and Ronald Rushing in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012, and defeated Stego Blue (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kelli Stargel |
58.5% | 113,231 | |
| Democratic | Stego Blue | 41.5% | 80,429 | |
| Total Votes | 193,660 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Kelli Stargel |
63.5% | 17,179 |
| Jack R. Myers | 22.2% | 6,007 |
| Ronald Rushing | 14.3% | 3,879 |
| Total Votes | 27,065 | |
2010
Stargel ran for re-election to the 64th District seat in 2010. She did not have any opposition in the August 24 primary. Stargel defeated Carol Castagnero (D) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[9]
| Florida House of Representatives, District 64 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Kelli Stargel (R)
|
26,948 | 64.29% | ||
| Carol Castagnero (D) | 14,969 | 35.71% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Stargel won election to the Florida House of Representatives from Florida's 64th District, defeating Alton Smith (write-in) and Gordon Watts (write-in). Stargel received 48,604 votes in the election while Smith received 454 votes, and Watts received 57 votes.[10] Stargel raised $114,272 for her campaign; Smith raised $241, and Watts raised $165.[11]
| Florida House of Representatives, District 64 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Kelli Stargel (R)
|
48,604 | 99.0% | ||
| Alton Smith (write-in) | 454 | 0.9% | ||
| Gordon Watts (write-in) | 57 | 0.1% | ||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kelli Stargel did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Stargel's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
100% Pro Second Amendment Kelli has consistently delivered when it comes to defending the Second Amendment. In 2022, Democrats filed 14 gun control bills that Kelli worked to prevent from ever being heard in the Senate as a member of President Wilton Simpson’s leadership team.
There is no stronger champion for the rights of the unborn than Kelli Stargel. That is why she has the endorsement of Florida Family Action.
Where Washington has failed Floridians over and over, Kelli has proven fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget are not only possible, but absolutely necessary for the health of our economy, our families and our businesses.
When socialist Democrats tried to allow biological males to take over women’s sports, Kelli fought back. She took on liberals in Tallahassee to pass the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” through the legislature and sent it to Governor DeSantis’ desk for his signature in 2021.
Kelli has championed school choice for Florida’s families and helped pass the largest expansion of school choice in the country right here in Florida.
When socialist Democrats tried to shut down our economy, Kelli fought back and protected our right to earn a living. When they tried to mask our children and mandate vaccines, Kelli fought back to defend the rights of students, parents and workers.
When socialist Democrats tried to indoctrinate our children with Critical Race Theory and radical gender ideology, Kelli fought back and banned both in Florida’s schools.
When socialist Democrats tried to shut down our churches, Kelli fought back to ensure religious freedom is protected, even in times of emergency.[12] |
” |
| —Kelli Stargel's campaign website (2022)[13] | ||
2008
Stargel did not provide answers to the Florida State Legislative Election 2008 Political Courage Test. The test informs voters how a candidate would vote on the issues if elected.[14]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
2016 Republican National Convention
- See also: Republican National Convention, 2016
Stargel was a district-level delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Florida. She was bound to Donald Trump.
Delegate rules
In Florida, delegates to the national convention were selected at congressional district conventions and the state executive meeting. All 99 delegates were bound for three ballots at the Republican National Convention to the winner of the statewide primary.
Florida primary results
- See also: Presidential election in Florida, 2016
| Florida Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | Delegates | |
| Jeb Bush | 1.8% | 43,511 | 0 | |
| Ben Carson | 0.9% | 21,207 | 0 | |
| Chris Christie | 0.1% | 2,493 | 0 | |
| Ted Cruz | 17.1% | 404,891 | 0 | |
| Carly Fiorina | 0.1% | 1,899 | 0 | |
| Jim Gilmore | 0% | 319 | 0 | |
| Lindsey Graham | 0% | 693 | 0 | |
| Mike Huckabee | 0.1% | 2,624 | 0 | |
| John Kasich | 6.8% | 159,976 | 0 | |
| Rand Paul | 0.2% | 4,450 | 0 | |
| Marco Rubio | 27% | 638,661 | 0 | |
| Rick Santorum | 0.1% | 1,211 | 0 | |
| Donald Trump |
45.7% | 1,079,870 | 99 | |
| Totals | 2,361,805 | 99 | ||
| Source: The New York Times and Florida Department of State | ||||
Delegate allocation
Florida had 99 delegates at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Of this total, 81 were district-level delegates (three for each of the state's 27 congressional districts). District-level delegates were allocated on a winner-take-all basis; the candidate who won a plurality of the statewide vote received all of Florida's district delegates.[15][16]
Of the remaining 18 delegates, 15 served at large. At-large delegates were allocated on a winner-take-all basis; the candidate who won a plurality of the statewide vote received all of the state's at-large delegates. In addition, three national party leaders (identified on the chart below as RNC delegates) served as bound delegates to the Republican National Convention. The RNC delegates were required to pledge their support to the candidate who won the state's primary.[15][16]
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2022
In 2022, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 14.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2021, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 2 to April 30.
|
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 19.
|
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 11.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 through May 8. There was also a special session from June 7 to June 9.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Stargel has been a member of the Achievement Academy Advisory Board and The Well of Central Florida, and President of the Republican Women's Club of Lakeland of the University of Southern Florida Advisory Board. She has also been a member of the Commission on Marriage and Family Support Initiatives.[17]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Florida District 15 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Republican Party of Florida, "Florida GOP announces 99 delegates," May 14, 2016
- ↑ Republican Party of Florida, "Party Rules of Procedure," January 15, 2011
- ↑ The Florida Senate, "Senator Kelli Stargel," accessed November 3, 2019
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Florida Department of State, "Candidates and Races," accessed July 1, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Florida Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed September 22, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed April 15, 2012
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "November 2, 2010, Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Florida House Official Election Results," November 4, 2008
- ↑ followthemoney.org, "District 64 Florida House candidate funds, 2008," November 4, 2008
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kelli Stargel for United States Congress, “Home,” accessed August 22, 2022
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Rep. Stargel Issue Positions
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Republican National Committee, "2016 Presidential Nominating Process," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 CNN.com, "Republican National Convention roll call vote," accessed July 20, 2016
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Stargel Biography
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Florida State Senate District 22 2016-2022 |
Succeeded by Joe Gruters (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Florida State Senate District 15 2012-2016 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Florida House of Representatives District 64 2008-2012 |
Succeeded by - |
