Tampa Bay Congressional Districts Redrawn for 2026

Tampa Bay voters will cast ballots in new congressional districts next election cycle after redistricting reshaped Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. The changes move some residents from one district to another, reflecting boundary redrawn by Governor Ron DeSantis' office in April.

The new maps shift large portions of St. Petersburg and southern Pinellas County into Congressional District 16, which extends eastward to Wauchula. In Hillsborough County, some constituents of Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor move into the district held by Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee now represents a district that includes much of Bilirakis' former territory in Citrus and Hernando counties.

The redistricting plan created four additional Republican-leaning seats. State officials say the map was not designed for partisan gain. Left-leaning organizations have filed lawsuits claiming the map violates Florida's Fair Districts Amendment, which prohibits gerrymandering. The new boundaries take effect for the 2026 elections.

District 12 (Bilirakis) now encompasses parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, including Seminole Heights, Carrollwood, Lutz, and New Port Richey. District 13 (Anna Paulina Luna) gained coastal Pasco County but lost Gulfport and St. Pete Beach. District 14 (Castor) shifted south to include Brandon, Plant City, and Apollo Beach in eastern Hillsborough, moving away from downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. District 15 (Lee) stretches north into Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties while retaining Temple Terrace and parts of East Tampa.