Nearby · Local Politics · Polk County
Florida House District 51 Flips to Democrat Octavio Hernandez
Democrat Octavio Hernandez defeated Republican incumbent Hilary Holley in the race for Florida House District 51, which covers much of northern Polk County including Auburndale, Haines City, Davenport, Lake Alfred, Polk City, the Four Corners area, and portions of unincorporated north Lakeland. Hernandez raised $4,922 compared to Holley's $135,500 in campaign funds. Hernandez, a 46-year-old teacher from Davenport, previously challenged former representative Josie Tomkow in 2024, earning 43.1% of the vote. He has identified traffic, cost of living, and public school funding as top constituent concerns and supports home rule and smart-growth development policies. Republican incumbents Jennifer Canady (District 50) and Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (District 49) retained their seats in Lakeland's other state House races.