Rocky Rochford Targets Kathy Castor's 20-Year Hold on Florida's 14th Seat

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 15

33-year Navy veteran Rocky Rochford launched his bid to flip Florida's 14th District, arguing Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor has delivered little in 20 years beyond two post-office renaming bills.
Affordability sits at the center of his challenge: Rochford says energy independence would lower costs for gas, groceries, electricity and insurance across the Tampa Bay district.
Three signature proposals anchor his platform, including a children's bill of rights spanning 11 agencies, tougher penalties for online predators, and protections tied to parental rights and girls' sports.
Rochford also frames foreign influence and federal debt as core threats, accusing China, Iran, North Korea and Russia of meddling and proposing a trust to retire the national debt by the 2060s.
Florida's Republican primary is set for Aug. 18, giving Rochford a runway to test whether a military résumé and cross-partisan message can dent Castor's long hold on the seat.

How will new voting maps and rising living costs reshape Tampa Bay's political landscape in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections?

With US energy production at record highs, what local solutions can actually lower costs for Tampa Bay families?

Can a long-term plan to erase national debt resonate with voters facing immediate affordability challenges in their daily lives?