Beltran wins GOP primary to face Castor for redistricted House seat in Florida

Former state Rep. Mike Beltran (R) was projected to win the primary for Florida’s redrawn 14th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). Beltran defeated former state Rep. Kevin Steele (R) and a slew of other candidates who competed in a crowded primary to take on longtime Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) in November. The 14th District was long seen as a Democratic stronghold in Florida, but the state’s mid-decade redistricting effort carved up the district, making it more competitive for Republicans. DDHQ forecasts the race as “lean Democratic,” giving Castor an approximately 60 percent shot at keeping her seat. But the race has been in and out of the “toss-up” category, and Republicans are eyeing it as a prime target to flip in the fall. Beltran was favored in polls leading up to the primary, but Steele had been leading in the prediction markets until Beltran surged the day before the primary. Steele outraised Beltran, but both candidates raised more than $2 million. President Trump did not endorse a candidate in the race, but Beltran called himself the “MAGA Mike” pick in the primary.