Why Josie Tomkow is Wrong for Tampa
As the special election for Senate District 14 approaches, voters from South Tampa to the USF area are being asked to welcome a representative who has spent her career treating their local autonomy as an obstacle to be cleared. State Representative Josie Tomkow, currently representing a rural House district centered in Polk County, is seeking to move into a Senate seat that is the cultural and economic heart of Hillsborough County. But for a district that prides itself on local identity and self-governance, Tomkow’s voting record reads like a declaration of war on Tampa’s right to rule itself.
During her tenure in the House, Tomkow has been a reliable “yes” vote for a legislative agenda that systematically strips power from city halls and county commissions and consolidates it in Tallahassee. For the residents of SD 14, a district that includes the eclectic corridors of Downtown, the historic streets of South Tampa, and the diverse academic community of USF, Tomkow’s record is not just out of step; it is a direct threat to the very fabric of their neighborhoods.
The Death of South Tampa’s Voice
The most glaring disconnect is Tomkow’s role in the so-called “Silent Takeover” of local government. By voting for SB 1134, she supported legislation that prohibits local governments from using funds for DEI initiatives and gives the Governor authority to remove local officials who do not comply. This vote enables state leaders to override local decisions about community programs and the leadership residents select.
Think about what that means for a community like South Tampa. This isn’t just about corporate bureaucracy; it is about the state reaching into your neighborhood to decide which cultural festivals are “appropriate” and which aren’t. If the City of Tampa wants to support a local arts initiative or a Pride celebration that reflects the values of its residents, Tomkow’s vote ensures that a bureaucrat in Tallahassee can pull the plug and threaten your locally elected representatives with removal. She has traded South Tampa’s unique local voice for a state-mandated script.
Paving Over North Hillsborough
When the district expands to Northwest Hillsborough suburbs, Tomkow’s support for SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, means that state-chosen development projects can bypass local zoning boards. This removes local residents’ ability to object to new industrial or high-density development near their neighborhoods, regardless of community opposition.
For the families in Westchase or Citrus Park who have fought for years to maintain the integrity of their suburban communities, this is a betrayal. By voting for this, Tomkow ensured that if a large-scale industrial project or high-density development wants to move in, your local planning commission—the people who actually live in your community—has zero power to stop it. She has prioritized the convenience of developers and state power brokers over the property rights and peace of mind of Hillsborough families.
Hurdles for the University Community
Senate District 14 includes the University of South Florida, with many student voters. Yet, Tomkow supported HB 991, which eliminates student IDs as valid voter identification and adds new documentation requirements for voter registration, directly impacting thousands of young residents’ ability to vote in local and state elections.
In a district where the university community is a major pillar of the economy and civic life, Tomkow voted to make it harder for those students to have a say in their own future. She has aligned herself with a movement that treats youth participation as a problem to be solved with red tape rather than a vital part of our democracy. For the Bulls of USF, Tomkow isn’t just a stranger to the district; she is a barrier to their constitutional rights.
Eroding the Public Foundation
Perhaps most critically for the families of SD 14, Tomkow has consistently supported policies that reduce resources available to public schools. She voted for HB 7055, the so-called “Educational Transparency” act, which restricts what teachers can say in classrooms, and for SB 1242, which redirects millions of tax dollars from public schools to fund a universal voucher system.
South Tampa families value their public schools as anchors of their community. They understand that strong schools lead to high property values and a thriving local economy. Tomkow’s record suggests she views these institutions as ideological battlegrounds to be defunded rather than community assets to be protected. She wants to bring a Polk County model of privatization to a Tampa district that has fought hard for its public education system.
The Wrong Representative at the Wrong Time
Senate District 14 is a sophisticated, diverse, and independent-minded district. It needs a Senator who understands that what works in rural Polk County does not necessarily work in the urban and suburban heart of Hillsborough. It needs a champion for “Home Rule,” not a proxy for Tallahassee’s latest “preemption” scheme.
Josie Tomkow has spent her career voting to give more power to the state and less power to the people. She has voted to silence local voices, restrict the ballot box, and undermine public classrooms. Her record is a testament to the “Patrimonial” governance that treats local communities as subjects rather than partners. For the voters of South Tampa, Northwest Hillsborough, and USF, the choice is clear:
You cannot afford to send a representative to the Senate who has already spent years voting to take your power away.
