Six GOP Candidates Debate Florida CD-14 Race, Reject Ukraine Aid and AIPAC Funds
Six Republicans squared off in Tampa over Ukraine aid and AIPAC donations as the party eyes flipping a Hillsborough County seat held by Democrat Kathy Castor for nearly 20 years.
TAMPA, FLORIDA — Six Republican candidates competing for the GOP nomination in Florida’s 14th Congressional District gathered for a debate Tuesday night, united in their opposition to further U.S. funding for Ukraine and campaign contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
The debate focused on a closely watched congressional race in Florida. Democrat Kathy Castor has held the Hillsborough County seat for nearly 20 years, but a redistricted map designed by Gov. Ron DeSantis aims to make the district more competitive for Republicans this fall.
One prominent candidate, Pasco County state Rep. Kevin Steele, skipped the debate in favor of a campaign event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.
Candidates Take Hard Line on Ukraine Funding
Congress has made $188 billion available in spending related to the war in Ukraine as of the beginning of this year, according to the U.S. Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve. Each of the six candidates on stage Tuesday opposed sending any additional money.
Former state Rep. Mike Beltran drew a sharp line on the issue. “I wouldn’t send more money to Ukraine. If Ukraine wants to buy more weapons, we can cut them a deal,” Beltran said. “The taxpayers of Hillsborough County shouldn’t be paying for the problems over there, they have enough problems over here and, frankly, Ukraine’s doing just fine.”
Businessman John Peters, who lost the 2024 GOP race for the CD-14 seat, called for a gradual approach. “I think that we should ween them off the money, not just cut them off,” Peters said. “We don’t want to leave them out to dry. But I think our European allies need to step in and do their part.”
Gavriel Soriano, who previously ran and lost in the Congressional District 11 Republican primary in 2022, took the most direct position. “We will cut them off from sending anymore money with the massive fraud and corruption going on over there,” Soriano said.
Retired Navy veteran Rocky Rochford, who lost to Castor by 14 points in 2024, said, “What’s going on in Ukraine is pretty despicable and it needs to stop,” before agreeing that no more funds should be sent. Rochford placed blame for the conflict on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
AIPAC Funding Also a Flash Point
AIPAC campaign contributions have become a contested issue in Democratic primaries across the country this year. Tuesday’s debate showed the topic carries weight in at least some Republican contests as well, with none of the six candidates indicating they would accept AIPAC funds.
The six Republicans who appeared on stage were Mike Beltran, John Peters, Rocky Rochford, Gavriel Soriano, Ergin “Batman” Ted, and Bea Valenti, according to Florida Phoenix, which covered the June 16, 2026 debate.
A Crowded Primary Field Eyes November
The Republican primary field to challenge Castor is crowded, with six candidates debating and Steele still looming as a prominent contender despite his absence Tuesday. Castor, a Democrat, has represented the Hillsborough County district for nearly two decades.
The DeSantis-drawn redistricting map is central to Republican hopes in the district. GOP candidates are competing for the chance to face Castor in what the party believes will be a more favorable electoral environment than in previous cycles.
