The Ballot Brief
Pinellas County, Florida

Florida Senate District 18

2 candidates are tracked for Florida Senate District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nick DiCeglie and Karla Kemp. Candidate information follows official Pinellas County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Nick DiCeglie (Republican), Karla Kemp (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida Senate District 18; Nick DiCeglie is the sitting member, per the Florida Senate' official roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Nick DiCeglie, is on the ballot.

Florida › Pinellas County › Florida Senate District 18

Nick DiCeglie

Nick DiCeglie

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Sponsored a commuter toll rebate program and a bill to eliminate documentary stamp taxes for first-time homebuyers
  • Supported the My Safe Florida Home program that provides storm-proofing grants aimed at lowering insurance premiums
  • Sponsored legislation to modernize hurricane disaster planning and coordination between state and local agencies

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Nick DiCeglie is the Republican state senator for Florida Senate District 18, representing Pinellas County, per his campaign site. He was elected to the Florida House in 2018 and to the Senate in 2022, and serves as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, per his campaign site. DiCeglie is also President and CEO of Hope Villages of America, an organization addressing hunger, homelessness and domestic abuse, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Karla Kemp

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Directing taxpayer dollars to those who contribute rather than large corporations
  • Preserving local governments' authority over development decisions
  • Funding education, healthcare, homelessness services, veterans' needs and affordable housing

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kemp is a licensed insurance agent, mortgage broker and sustainability consultant, and has also worked as a paramedic/firefighter, medical librarian and legislative environmental advisor, per the campaign site. She holds a bachelor's degree from Eckerd College in political science and business management and a master's degree from the University of South Florida in global sustainability, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for Florida Senate District 18 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Florida Senate District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nick DiCeglie and Karla Kemp. Candidate information follows official Pinellas County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Florida Senate District 18 election in Florida?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Florida are on the Florida election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Pinellas County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Florida election office, or see the full Pinellas County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Pinellas County ballot

10 tracked races in Pinellas County, Florida. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Florida House District 58Florida House District 59Florida House District 60See all 10 Pinellas County races
Candidate profiles
Nick DiCeglie, full profileKarla Kemp, full profileOfficial Florida election office