Sen. Brian Nathan faces an immediate governing test just weeks after his razor-thin upset victory in Senate District 14, with multiple Special Sessions looming including a mid-April budget session, congressional redistricting starting April 20, and potential property tax reform discussions. The Democrat defeated Republican Josie Tomkow by just over 400 votes, a margin of roughly half a percentage point that fell outside Florida’s automatic recount threshold. Nathan’s victory filled the vacancy left after former Sen. Jay Collins was appointed Lieutenant Governor.
“I’m actually with my staff right now - we are prepping, because there’s a lot I have to pick up quickly,” Nathan said. “I understand that I’m the new kid on the block, the Senators that are now colleagues have been there the entire Session. They’ve seen the evolution of both the budget and this redistricting Special Session that we’re going to have along the way. I’m just willing to jump in and lend a hand wherever they need me.” Nathan told Florida Politics his early focus will be on understanding the state budget and ensuring district priorities, including local programs and property tax concerns, are protected.
“This is going to be a lot of hard work between now and however many Special Sessions we have, however long it goes,” Nathan said. “I know the Governor was talking about six weeks of Special Session the other day. So whatever my colleagues need from me to help get our budget priorities passed and deal with redistricting, I’m here for them and ready to get the work done.” His preparation has involved reviewing budget documents and working with staff to quickly catch up on issues other lawmakers have been tracking for months.
The Special Election result surprised political observers in a district where Republicans hold a significant voter registration advantage and where Tomkow entered with stronger institutional support and a sizable fundraising edge. Nathan was outspent by figures ranging from 7-to-1 to 10-to-1 according to various reports. “You could cut the tension with a knife - that’s literally what it felt like,” Nathan said about election night, with early returns offering the first confirmation his campaign’s message resonated with voters.
Nathan, a union electrician and Navy veteran, campaigned heavily on affordability concerns, telling voters that Florida has gotten more expensive over the past 10 to 15 years while wages haven’t kept up. “When you talk to people they will tell you what they want and what their concerns are, you just have to listen and be willing to respond,” Nathan said. “That’s what we did. Additionally, I’m not polished and cut from the particular cloth that people think of when they think of politicians. I look and sound and have the same experience as the people in this district, and that’s what they wanted.”
Nathan hopes to bring “blue-collar common sense” to Tallahassee, arguing that state policymaking often feels disconnected from everyday Floridians. His term will end before next year’s Legislative Session, limiting his opportunity to push his own proposals unless he is re-elected to a full term in November. “Obviously the next Session is after the election, so I do have ideas about what I’d like to do, but I have another election to get through first,” he said.
Tomkow has already pledged to push for a rematch this November, setting up a high-stakes test of whether Nathan’s win was a one-off Special Election upset or an early sign of shifting dynamics in Hillsborough County. When asked about the looming election, Nathan said “I will refer you back to the Special Election I just won.” He added: “I knew getting into this race that it was going to be a sprint and a marathon at the same time. I’m going to do it again.”
Democrats have pointed to the Election Day results as evidence that affordability concerns are influencing voters, even in districts where Republicans maintain a registration edge. Nathan’s victory came alongside another Democratic pickup in a state House district near Mar-a-Lago. “If there is (a blue wave), it’s only going to be the result of hard work that Democrats stay disciplined on message, make sure they’re addressing the needs of their constituents or potential constituents,” Nathan said.
Nathan represents roughly half a million constituents in his Hillsborough County district, where he said he continues dealing with damage from recent hurricanes, noting houses in his neighborhood still have tarps on roofs. The Special Session on congressional redistricting begins April 20, followed by ongoing budget negotiations and potential property tax reform discussions.