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14th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 14th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Kathy Castor (D), whose site calls her "U.S. Representative Kathy Castor",5 ran against former state representative Mike Beltran (R) and Brian Lambert (Libertarian), a retired Navy veteran. With all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting, Castor leads by 15,987 votes. Our saved sources show no race call and no concession, and the count is unofficial until certified. Florida's districts were redrawn in 2026, so check your own address with your county Supervisor of Elections to confirm your district.

Castor leadsAll counties reporting; unofficial until certified1
51.21%Castor (D)1
45.88%Beltran (R)1
2.91%Lambert (Libertarian)1
15,987Vote margin of 299,915 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Mike BeltranKathy CastorBrian Lambert
Names a policy7 of 13
0 of 6
7 of 13
Says how they'd do it2 of 13
0 of 6
0 of 13
Includes a number or target0 of 13
0 of 6
0 of 13
Says how it's paid for0 of 13
0 of 6
0 of 13
Gives a timeline0 of 13
0 of 6
0 of 13
Points to a record3 of 13
5 of 6
0 of 13

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Mike BeltranRepublican
Kathy CastorDemocrat
Brian LambertLibertarian
Who they are
Mike Beltran
Former Florida state representative, not a sitting member of Congress: "serving as our state representative for six years."3 His Platform page is the only issues page. A news post on his site says he will sponsor a balanced budget amendment, but it is not a platform heading and is not scored.
Kathy Castor
Her site calls her "U.S. Representative Kathy Castor".5 It has no issues page. Delivering for Florida is six labeled blocks of federal money she says she secured, and each block is scored as one issue.
Brian Lambert
Retired Navy veteran, by his own account.20 His Issues page lists twelve issues; a thirteenth, Government Accountability, is linked from the Related Issues boxes. All thirteen are scored.
Abortion
Mike Beltran
Protect Life"He believes Dobbs was correctly decided and that states, not Washington bureaucrats, judges, or politicians, should set their own policies that include exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother."2
Names a policy
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Nothing on this topic
Guns
Mike Beltran
Defend the Second Amendment"No red flag laws, no magazine bans, no compromise."2
Names a policy
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Second Amendment"I support constitutional carry nationwide for law-abiding adults."10
Names a policy
Immigration and the border
Mike Beltran
Secure the Border"We need to finish the wall, deport the criminals and fraudsters, and restore law and order at our southern border."2
Names a policy
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Border Security & Immigration"I support securing all of America's borders and ports of entry through effective enforcement, modern technology, properly staffed personnel, and physical barriers where they are practical and effective."12
Names a policy
Veterans
Mike Beltran
Support Our Veterans & Military"Mike will fight to ensure our veterans receive the care, resources, and respect they deserve."2
None of the six checks
Kathy Castor
James A. Haley VA"She has worked hard to secure funding for a new VA hospital bed tower, 100 private patient rooms, and 40 ICU beds"4
None of the six checks
Brian Lambert
Veterans"When the VA cannot provide timely treatment, veterans should have access to care in their own communities."11
Names a policy
Health care
Mike Beltran
Lower Healthcare Costs & Expand Access"Mike broke up healthcare bureaucracies that blocked new clinics from opening and expanded telehealth access"2
Points to a record
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Healthcare Reform"Americans deserve to know the cost of care before receiving treatment."13
Names a policy
Housing
Mike Beltran
Nothing on this topic
Kathy Castor
Housing"Kathy has secured more than $76 million to build and preserve affordable housing in Tampa."4
Points to a record
Brian Lambert
Nothing on this topic
Schools and education
Mike Beltran
School Choice & Parental Rights"giving families the freedom to choose the school and education that works for them"2
Names a policy
Kathy Castor
MacDill Air Force Base"She has also secured MacDill as the main operating base for 24 new KC-46 tankers, cementing the air mobility mission at MacDill for decades to come." Also: "Kathy has secured millions of dollars to expand the Tinker PreK-8 school on base and construct a Joint Special Operations University to educate our nation's special operators." Also: "voted for the largest pay increase for service members in 20 years"4, 5
Points to a record
Brian Lambert
Education"Every family should have the freedom to choose the educational path that best fits their child's unique needs and goals."14
Names a policy
Child care and families
Mike Beltran
A Fighter for Families, Not a Career Politician"In the legislature he voted against his own party when they were wrong"2
None of the six checks
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Nothing on this topic
Energy and environment
Mike Beltran
Protect Our Community From Overreach"Mike will fight to ensure no data center is built in our community without local approval and a guarantee it won't raise your energy bills or harm our environment."2
Names a policySays how they'd do it
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Energy & American Independence"I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that allows American producers to compete and innovate in a free market."18
None of the six checks
Roads, transit and infrastructure
Mike Beltran
Nothing on this topic
Kathy Castor
Tampa Airport"Kathy has secured more than $114 million in the last three years to modernize Tampa International Airport (TPA)" Also: "She also secured the federal authorization for the new air traffic control tower that is coming to TPA to keep the traveling public safe."4
Points to a record
Port Tampa Bay"She also helped secure a $420 million federal authorization to deepen the shipping channel so larger cargo ships can bring more business to Tampa Bay." Also: "Over the past four years alone, Kathy secured more than $63 million to expand Port Tampa Bay"4
Points to a record
Transportation & Transit"Kathy has secured more than $250 million to improve roads, bridges, transit, and waterfront infrastructure across Tampa."4
Points to a record
Brian Lambert
Nothing on this topic
Crime and public safety
Mike Beltran
Back Law Enforcement"Mike stands firmly behind law enforcement and will oppose any effort to defund, undermine, or politicize the men and women who protect our communities."2
None of the six checks
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Nothing on this topic
Elections and voting
Mike Beltran
Safeguard Our Elections"We need to pass the SAVE America Act to ensure only American citizens vote in our elections, mandate photo ID, and purge noncitizens from voter rolls."2
Names a policySays how they'd do it
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Election Integrity"Election systems should protect against fraud while remaining accessible to lawful voters."17
None of the six checks
Ethics, term limits and money in politics
Mike Beltran
Ban Congressional Stock Trading"From the start, Mike has supported banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks"2
Names a policy
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Government Accountability"Congress should not vote on legislation until every member has had sufficient time to read, understand, and evaluate its constitutional and fiscal impact."19
Names a policy
Budget, debt and spending
Mike Beltran
Nothing on this topic
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Fiscal Responsibility"Every federal agency should be accountable for how it spends taxpayer dollars."7
Names a policy
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Mike Beltran
Lower the Cost of Living & Keep More of What You Earn"Mike was delivering real relief: tax holidays on gas and everyday purchases, and the largest tax cut in Florida history"2
Points to a record
Grow Jobs & Remove Barriers to Opportunity"Mike eliminated red tape that blocked qualified workers from starting jobs and small businesses from growing."2
Points to a record
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Economy & Small Business"I will work to eliminate unnecessary federal regulations that burden businesses and entrepreneurs."16
None of the six checks
Defense and foreign policy
Mike Beltran
Nothing on this topic
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
National Defense"I will defend Congress's constitutional role in decisions involving war and military action."15
None of the six checks
Rights and freedoms
Mike Beltran
Nothing on this topic
Kathy Castor
Nothing on this topic
Brian Lambert
Constitutional Government"Every vote I take will begin with whether the Constitution authorizes the federal government to act."8
None of the six checks
Individual Liberty"The Bill of Rights is not a list of government privileges."9
None of the six checks
Their record
Mike Beltran
  • Florida House member for six years, and an attorney, by his own account.3 His platform describes his Tallahassee work: "Mike eliminated red tape that blocked qualified workers from starting jobs and small businesses from growing."2
Kathy Castor
  • Elected to Congress and a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, by her own account.5 Her About page says she "worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law", with no vote or bill action stated.5
Brian Lambert
  • Twenty years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 2018, by his own account.20 His site lists no elected office.
In their words
Mike Beltran

"In the legislature he voted against his own party when they were wrong, and he'll do the same in Congress"

Mike Beltran, campaign site2

"Our community's future should be decided here, not in DC."

Mike Beltran, campaign site2
Kathy Castor

"Kathy knows the importance of a strong VA."

Kathy Castor, campaign site4

"Learn more about the infrastructure investments and community projects Kathy has brought to the district in recent years alone."

Kathy Castor, campaign site4
Brian Lambert

"Freedom isn't Left or Right."

Brian Lambert, campaign site6

"Before I cast a vote, I'll ask one question: Is it constitutional?"

Brian Lambert, campaign site11
Where we read it
Mike Beltran
Website: beltranforcongress.com/platform (checked 11/5/2026)
Kathy Castor
Website: castorforcongress.com/delivering-for-florida/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Brian Lambert
Website: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • All three say veterans should get better care. Castor: "Our veterans and their families deserve the best care possible".4 Beltran: "Mike will fight to ensure our veterans receive the care, resources, and respect they deserve."2 Lambert: "Veterans should not have to fight months of paperwork to receive the care and benefits they have earned."11
  • Beltran and Lambert both back a ban on stock trading by members of Congress. Beltran: "supported banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks".2 Lambert lists "Ban Congressional Stock Trading" under Government Accountability.19

Where they really split

  • Federal money: Castor's site is a list of dollars she says she brought home, such as "Kathy has secured more than $250 million to improve roads, bridges, transit, and waterfront infrastructure across Tampa."4 Lambert says "Washington must stop spending money it doesn't have and adding to the national debt."7 Beltran says "Mike will cut the wasteful spending that drives prices up".2
  • Elections: Beltran says "We need to pass the SAVE America Act".2 Lambert says "States should continue leading election administration while Congress respects constitutional limits on federal authority."17 Castor's six blocks name no election policy.4

What each one leaves out

  • Castor's site has no issues page. Its six blocks are money already secured, with no plan for a next term and no cost, number or date for anything new.4
  • Beltran spells out how on 2 of 13 issues, gives a funding source on none and a deadline on none, and points to Tallahassee actions as his record without naming bills.2
  • Lambert spells out how on none of his 13 issues, gives no numbers, funding sources or dates, and names no past action on any of them.6, 19
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. Florida Division of Elections, Florida Election Watch, unofficial (all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting): floridaelectionwatch.gov/FederalOffices/USRepresentative
  2. Mike Beltran campaign, Platform: beltranforcongress.com/platform
  3. Mike Beltran campaign, About: beltranforcongress.com/about
  4. Kathy Castor campaign, Delivering for Florida: castorforcongress.com/delivering-for-florida/
  5. Kathy Castor campaign, About Kathy: castorforcongress.com/about/
  6. Brian Lambert campaign, Issues: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues
  7. Brian Lambert campaign, Fiscal Responsibility: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/fiscal-responsibility
  8. Brian Lambert campaign, Constitutional Government: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/constitutional-government
  9. Brian Lambert campaign, Individual Liberty: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/individual-liberty
  10. Brian Lambert campaign, Second Amendment: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/second-amendment
  11. Brian Lambert campaign, Veterans: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/veterans
  12. Brian Lambert campaign, Border Security & Immigration: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/border-security
  13. Brian Lambert campaign, Healthcare Reform: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/healthcare
  14. Brian Lambert campaign, Education: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/education
  15. Brian Lambert campaign, National Defense: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/national-defense
  16. Brian Lambert campaign, Economy & Small Business: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/economy-small-business
  17. Brian Lambert campaign, Election Integrity: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/election-integrity
  18. Brian Lambert campaign, Energy & American Independence: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/energy
  19. Brian Lambert campaign, Government Accountability: brianlambertforcongress.com/issues/government-accountability
  20. Brian Lambert campaign, About Brian: brianlambertforcongress.com/about-brian