Stacy Hahn seeks Hillsborough Commission District 5 seat

Stacy Hahn won the Republican primary for Hillsborough County Commission District 5 (At Large) and faces Democrat Neil Manimala in the Nov. 3 general election. The at-large seat represents all of Hillsborough County, including Apollo Beach and Ruskin.

Hahn defeated incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda in the Aug. 18 primary with 54.9% of the vote, collecting 47,122 votes to Cepeda's 38,706, according to Florida Politics. She is certified for the ballot.

Candidate information

Party: Republican
Office sought: Hillsborough County Commission, District 5 (At Large)
Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
Opponent: Neil Manimala (Democratic)
Residence: Tampa, according to her campaign website. Hahn says she has called Hillsborough County home for 25 years.
Education: Hahn says she holds a Ph.D. in early childhood special education and research from the University of Florida (2001).
Family: Hahn says she lives with her husband Jeff Hahn, their three children Ethan, Jackson and Aidan, and their dog Rocky. The family are members of Christ the King Catholic Church, according to her campaign website.

Experience and public service

Hahn's campaign website lists the following experience:

Board member, Hillsborough County School Board (elected 2018)
Faculty member, University of South Florida College of Education
Director of professional development and partnerships, University of South Florida College of Education
Associate director, USF David C. Anchin Center
Public school teacher in Florida at the elementary and middle school levels
President, Literacy Is Key, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Hahn says she has served on boards including ZooTampa, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Hillsborough Education Foundation, the Florida School Boards Association, the Hillsborough County Value Adjustment Board, Junior Achievement and the MacDill Council for Educational Excellence.

She says she authored policy supporting educational stability for military-connected students and families.

On the issues

Hahn listed the following priorities on her BallotReady candidate response:

Taxes and budget: Hahn says she supports protecting taxpayers by keeping taxes low, cutting wasteful spending and improving efficiency inside government so every dollar delivers results for residents.

Public safety: Hahn says she supports law enforcement, strengthening crime prevention and prioritizing public safety so first responders have the tools they need.

Infrastructure and transportation: Hahn says she supports planning for growth by improving roads and transportation, investing in infrastructure and protecting quality of life.