Kathy Castor Backs Kyandra Darling in Florida House District 62 Race

St. Petersburg, FL – U.S. Representative Kathy Castor has endorsed Kyandra Darling in her bid to succeed State Representative Michele Rayner in Florida’s House District 62. The endorsement signals a key boost for Darling as she heads into the August 18th Democratic primary.

Castor Cites Shared Priorities

Castor announced her support for Darling, highlighting their common ground on issues critical to working families. “Every day in Congress, I fight to lower costs for working families — from addressing the housing crisis to bringing down the price of prescription drugs and defending access to quality, affordable health care,” Castor stated. She added that Darling, a working mother and community leader, shares her commitment to affordability and expanding opportunities for Tampa Bay families.

Darling’s Background and Platform

Kyandra Darling is a fourth-generation resident of St. Petersburg with a career focused on community engagement. She has partnered with numerous nonprofits and public institutions across Pinellas County, working to connect residents with essential resources and services. Darling previously worked in the office of former U.S. Representative Charlie Crist and as a legislative aide to St. Petersburg City Council members Steve Kornell and Lisa Wheeler-Bowman. Florida Politics reports that she transitioned to the nonprofit sector to address gaps in policy.

Darling’s campaign platform centers on addressing the cost of living, protecting freedoms and rights, improving local schools, enhancing neighborhood safety, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare.

Financial Advantage in the Primary

Darling has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities, outpacing her primary opponent, former State Representative Wengay Newton. As of December 31st, Darling’s campaign reported $76,726 in donations and $56,711 in expenditures, compared to Newton’s $19,789 in donations and $8,720 in expenditures. Florida Politics notes that Castor’s endorsement adds to Darling’s momentum.

HD 62: A Democratic Stronghold

House District 62 encompasses portions of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and is widely expected to remain under Democratic control. Representative Rayner is vacating the seat to pursue a campaign for the State Senate, leaving no Republican candidates currently filed to challenge for the position.

Darling Responds to Endorsement

“Congresswoman Castor has been a tireless champion for the people of Tampa Bay and a leader who consistently puts families first,” Darling said in a statement. “Her record is remarkable, including passing landmark climate legislation and securing billions in federal funding for our region to address key priorities such as infrastructure, education, and good-paying jobs. I’m grateful for her support and proud to have her partnership as we work to build a future where every family in Florida has the opportunity to thrive.”