Some people don’t do politics, choosing instead to let politics do them (and their neighbors). Many don’t have that privilege and that’s why you’re here. The 2026 general election ballot is a doozy that’ll take stamina, but use this voting guide to warm up.
These picks come after Creative Loafing Tampa Bay skipped endorsements for the summer primary, partly to staff limitations, but also because we weren’t sure readers wanted them. We were wrong, you did, and we’ve done everything we can to deliver this guide in time for early voting, which is happening now through Sunday, Nov. 1.
What you’ll find here is the quick version of this guide, perfect to take into the voting booth or have alongside you at the kitchen table as you fill in your mail-in-ballot.
Ballot items that will come before voters in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and included here, but tere aren’t any recommendations for Polk County seats; CL staff c. 2026 simply does not have the bandwidth to cover that area properly. The same goes for Largo, Seminole, and Belleair Beach; we’ll do better in the next election.
One theme in the recommendations is the curse of incumbency. There’s a lot that sucks about living in Florida right now, and some elected officials who’ve been in charge for the last 20 years should shoulder the blame, regardless of party.
And while CL’s guide unsurprisingly tilts left, there are plenty of races where the so-called-Democrat isn’t really that inspiring. The fact of the matter is, the Republican Party has come so far off the rails in Florida that there’s almost no choice in the general election—but this state also needs candidates who can change the Florida Democratic Party to a side that’s unafraid to fight and unwilling to cower toward the middle for the sake of staying in office.
Hop in, and stay tuned.
How to vote
If you haven’t registered to vote, womp womp, your time has passed, and you’re sitting this one out; still, get signed up for the next one ASAP.
For everyone else, early voting is happening now through Sunday, Nov. 1; check your local supervisor of elections office for details (votehillsborough.gov, votepinellas.gov).
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is no later than 5 p.m. on the 12th day before the election—Oct. 22. Mail ballots must arrive at the supervisor of elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3; postmarks don’t count. You may drop your mail ballot at your county supervisor of elections office or early voting site (listed at the end of this guide).
On Election Day, the only place you may vote is at your assigned precinct; voting happens 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Election Day polling places don’t accept mail ballots. Election Day voters must bring: a valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, or student ID), at least one ID you bring must have a signature.
If you don’t have an ID, cast a provisional ballot that will count if your voter status is verified.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay 2026 General Election Endorsements
Click here to see detailed write-ups for Hillsborough and Pinellas candidates.
Federal races
U.S. Senate (special election): Angie Nixon
U.S. House, District 12 (Hillsborough): Kimberly Overman
U.S. House, District 13 (Pinellas): Leela Gray
U.S. House, District 14 (Hillsborough): Kathy Castor
U.S. House, District 15 (Hillsborough): Robert People
U.S. House, District 16 (Pinellas and Polk): Kelly Kirschner
Statewide races
Governor and Lieutenant Governor: David Jolly/Gwen Graham
Attorney General: José Javier Rodríguez
Chief Financial Officer: Annette Taddeo
Commissioner of Agriculture: Joey Mendoza Atkins
Amendments
Click here for detailed write-ups on the amendment endorsements.
Amendment 1, Budget Stabilization Fund: NO
Amendment 2, Tax Exemption for Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land: NO
Amendment 3, Increased Homestead Exemption: NO
Judicial retention
Florida Supreme Court, Justice Carlos G. Muñiz: NO
Second District Court of Appeal retention
J. Andrew Atkinson: NO
Morris Silberman: YES
Daniel H. Sleet: YES
Andrea Teves Smith: NO
Florida Legislature
State Senate, District 14 (Hillsborough): Brian Nathan
State Senate, District 18 (Pinellas): Karla Kemp
State Senate, District 20 (Hillsborough): Gerald Baldi
State Senate, District 21 (Pinellas, part): Jordan Hensley
State House, District 57 (Pinellas): Wendy Hoy
State House, District 58 (Pinellas): Bryan Beckman
State House, District 59 (Pinellas): Susan Rochelle Leff
State House, District 60 (Pinellas): Lindsay Polega-Quigley
State House, District 61 (Pinellas): May Thach
State House, District 64 (Hillsborough): Luis Salazar
State House, District 65 (Hillsborough): Ben Braver
State House, District 66 (Hillsborough): José A. ‘Dante’ Sánchez Sánchez
State House, District 67 (Hillsborough): Luis Viera
State House, District 68 (Hillsborough): Tony Smith
State House, District 69 (Hillsborough): Ashley Elizabeth Herrmann
State House, District 70 (Hillsborough): Luther Keith Wilkins
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Commission, District 1: Harry Cohen
Hillsborough County Commission, District 3: Gwen Myers
Hillsborough County Commission, District 5 (countywide): Neil Manimala
Hillsborough County Commission, District 7 (countywide): Aileen Rodriguez
Hillsborough County School Board, District 2: Daniela Simic
Hillsborough County School Board, District 6 (countywide): Karen Perez
Hillsborough Referendum No. 1, Elected School Superintendent: NO
Hillsborough Referendum No. 2, Larger County Commission, All Single-Member Districts: NO
Hillsborough Referendum No. 3, School Sales Tax Renewal: YES
Temple Terrace City Council (vote for up to three): Karen Michalski, Ryan Gessman
Pinellas County
Pinellas County Commission, District 2 (at large): Tim Hughes
Pinellas County Commission, District 6: David Glenn Jr.
Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (at large): Curtis Campogni
St. Petersburg Mayor: Ken Welch (p. 23)
St. Petersburg City Council, District 2: Gabriel Hament
St. Petersburg City Council, District 6: Linsey Grove
St. Petersburg Referendum No. 1, $600 Million Water and Stormwater Bonds: YES
St. Petersburg Referendum No. 2, Harborage Marina Lease: YES
St. Petersburg Charter Amendment No. 1, Jamestown Vacant Lots for Housing: NO
St. Petersburg Charter Amendment No. 2, Port Lease Limit to 25 Years: YES
St. Petersburg Charter Amendment No. 3, Even-Year Election Cleanup: YES
Clearwater City Council, Seat 5: Mark Bunker
Dunedin City Commission, Seat 4: Nan Bennett
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This article appears in Oct. 15 – 21, 2026.
