<p>Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), an incumbent representing the Tampa area since 2007, is running a new advertisement that emphasizes her efforts to distance herself from extreme partisanship. This move comes after her district was redrawn to favor Republican candidates.</p>
<p>In the 30-second commercial, Castor expresses her frustration with corruption and claims to have worked across party lines to address issues affecting her constituents. She states, "I fix problems and get things done for my neighbors. I worked with Republicans to punish fraudsters and return taxpayer money that’s been stolen from you, and I broke with Democrats to make it illegal for members of Congress to trade stocks." </p>
<p>This advertisement reflects Castor's attempt to present a more centrist image. Recently, she was one of eight House Democrats who voted to denounce the Democratic Socialists of America.</p>
<p>Rep. Darren Soto, another Florida Democrat whose district was also reconfigured, joined Castor in that vote.</p>
<p>Castor is campaigning despite an 18-point shift in the partisan makeup of her district, which transitioned from one that Vice President Kamala Harris won by 8 points in 2024 to one that Donald Trump won by 10 points. Her race against Republican Mike Beltran is currently rated as a toss-up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.</p>
<p>Republicans are aiming to gain up to four additional seats in the upcoming midterm elections due to redistricting in Florida. The new district maps, which were signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, are part of a broader national effort by both Republican and Democratic legislatures to redraw district lines.</p>
<p>In her advertisement, Castor highlights her support for a GOP-led stock-trading bill that passed the House in July and references her call for the Trump administration to address Medicaid fraud in Florida.</p>