Four Republican candidates running for Congress in the newly drawn 14th District signed a petition demanding a full investigation and public apology after voter guides distributed by the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee were marked to favor one candidate at early voting sites.

The pamphlets, handed out Sunday, Aug. 16, on the final day of early voting, had former state Rep. Mike Beltran's name underlined, according to WFLA. The HCREC said volunteers at two early voting sites distributed the marked guides but has not identified which locations. Ruskin-area voters cast early ballots at the SouthShore Regional Service Center and the SouthShore Community Resource Center.

HCREC Confirms Guides Were Altered, Bars Volunteers

HCREC President Carmen Edmonds called the conduct "completely unacceptable behavior" and said the committee ordered volunteers at the two sites to throw the guides away. Edmonds told WFLA on Monday, Aug. 17, that the offending volunteers were barred from returning to any voting site for the rest of the primary.

"An email was sent out to all candidates and tent coordinators reminding them of our party rules and loyalty oath," Edmonds said. "The volunteers in question were asked to not return to any of our voting sites the rest of the primary."

Candidates Accuse Beltran of Involvement

Candidates Kevin Steele, Rocky Rochford, Gavriel Soriano and Bea Valenti signed the petition. They accuse Beltran of being present at the site where the marked guides were distributed and allege that people handing out the pamphlets at HCREC tents wore Beltran campaign apparel.

Beltran has not responded.

Rochford, a retired U.S. Navy captain who previously ran for the seat in 2024, called the tampering "tantamount to cheating" in an interview with WFLA. Steele, a state representative from Pasco County, said the conduct should warrant stepping down from a position.

Beltran's Campaign and the Race So Far

Beltran served in the Florida House from 2018 to 2024 and has loaned his campaign $2 million. WFLA reported it had not received a response from Beltran as of its publication Monday night. The Apollo Beach-Ruskin Tribune has not independently reached Beltran's campaign.

The HCREC has not endorsed any candidate in the eight-person primary and will not do so, Edmonds said. The committee's rules and loyalty oath prohibit such favoritism.

The 14th District, redrawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis in spring 2026, covers all of south and east Hillsborough County, including Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Wimauma, Brandon and Riverview. A July St. Pete Polls survey showed Beltran leading the Republican field at 30%, with Steele at 18%.

What Happens Next

The primary is Tuesday, Aug. 18. The winner advances to the Nov. 3 general election against 20-year Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. The HCREC has not announced any timeline for a formal investigation into the tampered guides.