Republican Hilary Holley triumphed over Democrat Edwin Pérez in the Special Election for Florida House District 51, preventing Democrats from gaining a seat they had targeted during this Midterm cycle. With nearly all precincts reporting, Holley captured roughly 55% of the vote, keeping the district under Republican control.
Holley will succeed term-limited Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow in the Polk County-centered district. The race attracted attention as Democrats hoped to leverage economic concerns and Midterm dynamics, according to Florida Politics.
“Representative-elect Hilary Holley will bring invaluable experience in the agricultural sector to the Florida House,” said House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison. “Voters chose the clearly superior candidate.”
District 51 encompasses much of Polk County, including Polk City, Davenport, Haines City, Lake Alfred, and Auburndale. While Holley’s margin was slightly smaller than Tomkow’s nearly 57% victory in 2024, the GOP maintained a solid lead in the district.
Voter registration favored Republicans, with about 34% registered GOP, 31% Democrats, and nearly one-third unaffiliated. Holley also held a substantial fundraising advantage, raising over $122,000 plus nearly $134,000 in in-kind support, mostly from Republican organizations. In contrast, Pérez raised just over $13,000, with a $2,000 personal loan and less than $1,800 in in-kind contributions, highlighting the challenge Democrats faced in attempting to flip the seat.
Holley secured endorsements from notable Florida Republicans, including former state Sen. Denise Grimsley, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, former Rep. Neil Combee, and outgoing Rep. Tomkow. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Florida FFA Foundation, overseeing programs for over 65,000 student members statewide, and has prior experience as a legislative aide and in agricultural education.
Pérez, a Haines City community advocate, focused his campaign on affordability, rising insurance costs, and a projected $2.5 million funding gap in Polk County schools, which officials warn could grow.
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized a Republican-backed election bill, claiming the GOP is advancing “voter suppression” through the SAVE America Act. The legislation, led by Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Mike Lee, would require proof of citizenship for voter registration nationwide and implement a federal voter ID requirement for federal elections. Supporters argue it ensures election integrity, while Jeffries raised concerns about data-sharing provisions that could allow the Department of Homeland Security to access state voting records, suggesting potential misuse.
The House is expected to vote on the measure in the coming days.
