{"id":64023,"date":"2026-03-23T17:14:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T21:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=64023"},"modified":"2026-03-23T19:22:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T23:22:45","slug":"tomorrows-special-election-for-florida-house-district-51-is-a-key-race-to-fill-the-vacancy-left-by-representative-josie-tomkow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2026\/03\/23\/tomorrows-special-election-for-florida-house-district-51-is-a-key-race-to-fill-the-vacancy-left-by-representative-josie-tomkow\/","title":{"rendered":"Tomorrow\u2019s special election for Florida House District 51 is a key race to fill the vacancy left by Representative Josie Tomkow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tomorrow\u2019s special election for Florida House District 51<\/strong> is a key race to fill the vacancy left by Representative Josie Tomkow, who resigned to run for the Florida State Senate.<\/p>\n\n\n

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District 51 covers northern Polk County, including communities such as Auburndale, Haines City, Davenport, Lake Alfred, Polk City, and the northern parts of Lakeland (specifically areas north of West Socrum Loop).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Candidates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Voters will choose between two candidates who advanced directly to this special general election after the January primaries were canceled due to lack of opposition within their respective parties.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Candidate<\/strong><\/td>Party<\/strong><\/td>Background & Key Priorities<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Hilary Holley<\/strong><\/td>Republican<\/td>Executive Director of the Florida FFA Foundation. Focuses on agricultural education, managing rapid growth in Polk County, and conservative economic policies to keep Florida affordable.<\/td><\/tr>
Edwin P\u00e9rez<\/strong><\/td>Democrat<\/td>Community advocate and former Haines City commissioner candidate. Focuses on expanding access to healthcare, addressing the “domino effect” of rising insurance and housing costs, and grassroots activism.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Voting Information for Tuesday, March 24<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning to cast your ballot tomorrow, here are the essential details:<\/p>\n\n\n\n