HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Election Day is right around the corner and people are already starting to cast their vote through early voting and vote-by-mail. But there's still time between now and Nov. 5 to get the information you need about the races that impact you.
U.S. Congressional District 15 covers eastern Hillsborough County, including Thonotosassa, Plant City and part of Brandon. The district also includes parts of Pasco and Polk Counties, including all of Zephyrhills and west Lakeland. If you're unsure about which district you live in, you can find your sample ballot here.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee is seeking her first reelection while current Hillsborough County Commissioner Patricia "Pat" Kemp is her Democratic challenger.
Here's a look at both candidates and their platforms.
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U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R)
Before running for Congress in 2022, Laurel Lee was a federal prosecutor and judge and was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as Florida's 36th secretary of state. According to her campaign website, she's a "strong supporter" of DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.
Since her time in Congress, Lee has reportedly been a strong opponent of the current Biden administration and was an "impeachment manager" when House Republicans brought articles against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
Here are some of the issues she is focused on, according to her campaign website:
- Economy
- Law enforcement
- Second Amendment
- Families
- Border security
- Elections
- Military and veterans
- America First
For more on Lee and her platform, click here.
Patricia 'Pat' Kemp (D)
Hillsborough County Commissioner Patricia "Pat" Kemp was elected in 2016 and 2020 representing countywide District 6.
According to her commissioner profile, Kemp has been in public service for more than 30 years in Hillsborough County, including working as chief aide to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D) when Castor was on the Hillsborough County Commission. Kemp also was an aide to State Rep. Sara Romeo.
Before her time as commissioner, she reportedly worked as an attorney both in private practice and for Bay Area Legal Services. She was also a journalist who reportedly was a news director and radio talk show host at WUSF and WMNF.
On Kemp's campaign website, key issues she is running on for Congress include:
- Restoring reproductive freedom
- Strengthening Social Security and Medicare
- Expanding healthcare access and low prescription drug costs
- Lowering energy and housing costs
- Protecting our environment
For more information about Kemp and her platform, click or tap here.
