Florida's 12th District Primary
Two Democrats will compete Aug. 18 for the nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Florida's newly redrawn 12th Congressional District. Bilirakis is unopposed for the Republican nomination after his primary challenger withdrew, while Democrats Darren McAuley and Kimberly Overman will face each other for their party's nomination. The general election follows Nov. 3.
Florida's 12th Congressional District was substantially altered under the state's new congressional map. The previous district covered all of Citrus and Hernando counties and most of Pasco County, but the new district loses Citrus and Hernando counties and extends farther south into Hillsborough County and the Tampa area.
The Candidates
Republican Primary
Gus Bilirakis has represented the Tampa Bay region in Congress since 2007, succeeding his father, former Rep. Michael Bilirakis. A lawyer by training, Bilirakis serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he chairs the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee and also serves on the Health and Communications and Technology subcommittees. He also serves on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
His recent legislative work spans health care and public safety. He sponsored the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2026 and the Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act of 2026 and co-authored the bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act.
Democratic Primary
Darren McAuley is a physician and retired Air Force colonel with more than 25 years of military service. He served as a flight surgeon and physician with the Department of Veterans Affairs and describes himself as a third-generation combat veteran. McAuley originally entered the race for Florida's 15th District but shifted to the newly redrawn 12th District in May. His campaign has received an endorsement from former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Kimberly Overman is a former Hillsborough County commissioner, certified financial planner and small business owner. Like McAuley, she initially campaigned in the 15th District before moving into the 12th District contest following Florida's mid-cycle redistricting. Her experience on the Hillsborough County Commission gives her a local governing record in a portion of the newly configured district.
The Money Behind the Race
Bilirakis enters the general election campaign with the largest fundraising operation in the race. His campaign reported approximately $1.49 million in receipts through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The committee reported approximately $1.02 million in disbursements and $586,860 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.
Bilirakis' fundraising includes substantial support from political action committees representing industries affected by the work of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. His contributors include PACs associated with health care, telecommunications, technology and other industries.
McAuley reported approximately $683,789 in receipts through June 30, according to FEC filings. His campaign reported approximately $441,981 in disbursements and entered July with approximately $241,809 in cash on hand.
Overman reported approximately $175,655 in receipts through June 30. Her campaign reported approximately $170,103 in disbursements and approximately $9,552 in cash on hand.
Those figures give McAuley a substantial financial advantage over Overman heading into the final weeks of the Democratic primary, both in total fundraising and available cash.
Ratings vs. Odds
The major election forecasters agree that Republicans are favored to retain Florida's 12th Congressional District, although they differ somewhat over the size of the Republican advantage.
The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the district Solid Republican. Sabato's Crystal Ball rates it Likely Republican. The ratings reflect the partisan makeup of the newly redrawn district and make Bilirakis the favorite heading into the Nov. 3 general election.
On prediction markets, Kalshi also favors Republicans to win the seat. The immediate contest is therefore on the Democratic side. McAuley and Overman will compete Aug. 18 for the nomination and the opportunity to challenge Bilirakis in November.
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