Florida Police Benevolent Association Endorses Mike Beltran for Congress
TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Mike Beltran for Florida’s 14th Congressional District, citing his record on public safety and support for law enforcement.
The Florida PBA represents 31,000 law-enforcement professionals and describes itself as the largest law-enforcement union in Florida. In its endorsement letter, the organization highlighted Beltran’s record in public service and his support for the men and women who serve in law enforcement.
“I’m honored to receive the support of the Florida Police Benevolent Association and the thousands of law-enforcement professionals it represents,” said Mike Beltran. “Our police officers and first responders put themselves on the line every day to keep our communities safe. I will continue to stand with law enforcement and support the resources, recruitment and protections officers need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
In its endorsement letter, the Florida PBA wrote that Beltran has “demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety” and said it trusts him to advocate for improved wages and benefits to help address recruitment and staffing shortages facing law-enforcement agencies.
The endorsement underscores Beltran’s support for law enforcement at a time when organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America are explicitly calling to defund police departments and ultimately abolish policing. Beltran has consistently opposed efforts to defund law enforcement and supports ensuring officers have the resources they need to keep communities safe.
Additionally, the endorsement follows Beltran’s service in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served on the Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Civil Justice Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, and Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee.
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Mike Beltran considers challenge to Kathy Castor in newly GOP-leaning CD 14
Will a new map bring the Hillsborough Republican back into elected office?
Former state Rep. Mike Beltran said he’s considering challenging U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, and he’s willing to spend $1 million to do it.
The Hillsborough County Republican, who spent three terms in the Florida House, said he long had seen an opportunity brewing to flip Tampa’s congressional seat red. A new congressional map approved last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis could make that a reality.
“Castor has been in office for 20 years and has been towing the party line,” he said. “She’s cast a lot of bad votes and was a henchwoman to Nancy Pelosi when she was Speaker. So see an opportunity here.”
Castor first won her seat in Congress in 2006. The District has leaned Democratic most of the time.
But under the new map, which is being challenged in court, Florida’s 14th Congressional District shifts southeast and becomes considerably more favorable to Republicans. Under the new lines, almost 55% of voters supported Republican Donald Trump for President while just 44% supported Democrat Kamala Harris.
CD 14 now covers parts of south and east Hillsborough County, such as Sun City Center, Plant City and Brandon, that previously were in Republican-represented districts. More importantly, to Beltran, it covers several communities he once represented in the Florida House under the particular configuration of House District 57 he was first elected to in 2018.
Back then, he emerged from a crowded Republican field, and the attorney’s ability to self-fund allowed him more time on the trail. With the growth of his personal wealth in the two years since he retired from the Legislature, he can now put down seven figures out of pocket to establish himself in a race quickly, which could be important as he prepares to challenge a Democratic incumbent.
Beltran was in Washington this week, meeting with House leaders, and he has a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, signaling just how serious he feels about a run.
He also said he’s anxious to deliver a win for the GOP in Florida after U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries promised “maximum warfare” if DeSantis changed the maps this year.
“Hakeem goes on and on in a press conference and practically declares war on Florida,” Beltran said. “He wants to be a tough guy from Brooklyn. Well, I’m from Brooklyn, too. If he wants to go, let’s go.”