Florida Primary Aug 18, 2026 Read the guide ↗FL-13 is 1 of 2 competitive House seats in Florida187 Florida bills tracked across 13 issue areas493 elected officials in Tampa Bay View directory ↗298 candidates on the 2026 ballot See who’s running ↗3 calls. 3 minutes. Pinellas. Call your reps ↗Florida Primary Aug 18, 2026 Read the guide ↗FL-13 is 1 of 2 competitive House seats in Florida187 Florida bills tracked across 13 issue areas493 elected officials in Tampa Bay View directory ↗298 candidates on the 2026 ballot See who’s running ↗3 calls. 3 minutes. Pinellas. Call your reps ↗
State · 2026 Candidate

Karla Kemp

Running for State Senate District 18, District 18
Party: DemocratStatus: Active

Running against

Other 2026 candidates for State Senate District 18, 18.

Linda Harris
Democrat · Qualified
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Nick DiCeglie
Republican · Incumbent · Qualified
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Positions on Key Issues

Sourced from campaign websites and public statements. These are the candidate's own claims as published, not independently verified by Activate Pinellas unless marked.

Housing
Reform property insurance by mandating that all valid claims are paid promptly, with fraud addressed through the courts—not denied claims—while banning contractor liens and stock buybacks. Reduce homelessness by redirecting funds from law-enforcement clearances into housing and comprehensive social services, cutting costs while reducing homelessness by at least 60%. Establish work-for-rent housing programs that include trade education, creating long-term stability, workforce readiness, and pathw
Reform property insurance by mandating that all valid claims are paid promptly, with fraud addressed through the courts—not denied claims—while banning contractor liens and stock buybacks. Prohibit premium increases if insurers have paid investors or conducted stock buybacks within the past five years, and eliminate hurricane exemptions that shift risk onto homeowners. Reduce homelessness by redirecting funds from law-enforcement clearances into housing and comprehensive social services, cutting costs while reducing homelessness by at least 60%. Establish work-for-rent housing programs that include trade education, creating long-term stability, workforce readiness, and pathways to independence.
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Education
Build a European-style education system that treats learning as a public good: provide free undergraduate education, forgive all existing student loan debt, and pay graduate students—including a funded international study year—with monthly stipends and on-campus childcare. Expand technical education through paid internships and apprenticeships, with wage support during the first two years after graduation during internships or apprenticeship training completion. Ensure equity and accountability
Build a European-style education system that treats learning as a public good: provide free undergraduate education, forgive all existing student loan debt, and pay graduate students—including a funded international study year—with monthly stipends and on-campus childcare. Expand technical education through paid internships and apprenticeships, with wage support during the first two years after graduation during internships or apprenticeship training completion. Ensure equity and accountability by restoring DEI initiatives, strengthening support for disabled and challenged students, and capping public-university executive pay at no more than 30% above the lowest-paid instructor.
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Elections
Here is the form that needs to be completed and mailed back to me if you are in District 13. Karla Kemp Florida Strong 3615 49th St N Unit 119 St Petersburg, FL 33710
Here is the form that needs to be completed and mailed back to me if you are in District 13. Karla Kemp Florida Strong 3615 49th St N Unit 119 St Petersburg, FL 33710
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Environment
With degrees in business management and sustainability with foci on coastal zone management and renewable energy, I understand Florida—our tourism economy, hurricane risks, cost-of-living crisis, and the urgent need to balance business, environment, and people.
I’m a former paramedic and firefighter with eight years experience in the medical field, a survivor of catastrophic injury, and a professional who has worked on both sides of healthcare and property insurance. I’ve seen firsthand how profit-driven systems fail families—through surprise bills, denied claims, and medical bankruptcy. That’s why I will fight for universal healthcare that guarantees care without fear, debt, or exploitation . With degrees in business management and sustainability with foci on coastal zone management and renewable energy, I understand Florida—our tourism economy, hurricane risks, cost-of-living crisis, and the urgent need to balance business, environment, and people. Without balance, we lose our resources, our jobs, and our future. Defeating fascism, protecting the Constitution, ending Citizens United, defending free and fair elections, and stopping extremist agendas like Project 2025 are non-negotiable. The Government must serve the people , not corporations or extremists. I’m running to restore accountability, protect individual rights, and rebuild a sustainable, people-first America. I don’t just know these fights—I’ve lived them. I’m ready to win them. Biography & Career
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Healthcare
Establish a universal, service-based healthcare system that prioritizes care over profit by eliminating investor prioritized profits, ensuring immediate payment of medical claims, and providing full coverage for all people. Guarantee comprehensive care, including mandatory basic immunizations, complete women’s healthcare (including abortion & IVF), cancer care, and robust support for disabled and challenged individuals. Transition to this system by expanding Medicaid for all until universal cove
Establish a universal, service-based healthcare system that prioritizes care over profit by eliminating investor prioritized profits, ensuring immediate payment of medical claims, and providing full coverage for all people. Guarantee comprehensive care, including mandatory basic immunizations, complete women’s healthcare (including abortion & IVF), cancer care, and robust support for disabled and challenged individuals. Transition to this system by expanding Medicaid for all until universal coverage is complete, and strengthen the medical workforce by offering free medical school to doctors who commit to ten years of public service. If we have the ability to save people and make lives better, it should not be about profit margin.
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Immigration
Immigration.
Immigration. LGBTQ+, Women
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Gun Policy
Guns, while enjoyable, are a deadly weapon. If it is a requirement to get training, pass an exam and get a license, and carry insurance when you drive a car, why not for a gun? I also believe in a waiting period as well as a background check before purchasing each gun, regardless of venue.
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. While the current administration would have you believe that the Democrats will take away your right to bear arms, that has NEVER been true. I am a firm believer in our Constitution and will fight to uphold and strengthen it. Guns, while enjoyable, are a deadly weapon. Similar to a car, it is a matter of how you use it. If it is a requirement to get training, pass an exam and get a license, and carry insurance when you drive a car, why not for a gun? In fact, I would suggest training and recertification with every gun and either a bond or a form of insurance. I also believe in a waiting period as well as a background check before purchasing each gun, regardless of venue. (gun shows included) As is the existing law in most states, no guns for felons or those with a history of dangerous mental illness.
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Economy
In a circular economy , products and services are designed to be reused, repaired, or repurposed so they create ongoing value rather than waste. Public dollars should support jobs and products that improve our lives and environment, such as renewable materials, not toxic plastics that pollute water and soil and never truly break down. A business that does not pay a livable wage undermines itself: employees cannot meet their needs or afford the goods and services the economy depends on.
These are the three pillars of sustainability. Every business affects stakeholders: employees, customers, owners, neighbors, and anyone impacted by how a product is made, used, and disposed of. This full impact—from creation to end of life—is called a product’s lifecycle. In a circular economy , products and services are designed to be reused, repaired, or repurposed so they create ongoing value rather than waste. If a product damages people or the environment during its lifecycle, or cannot be safely reused at the end of its life, it should not be produced. Businesses must take responsibility for pollution and partner with others to turn waste into resources—or they should not operate. Public dollars should support jobs and products that improve our lives and environment, such as renewable materials, not toxic plastics that pollute water and soil and never truly break down. A business that does not pay a livable wage undermines itself: employees cannot meet their needs or afford the goods and services the economy depends on. Likewise, a business that overuses resources or poisons air, water, or soil destroys the very systems that sustain its workforce, customers, and long-term success. Clean air, water, and soil are not optional—they are the foundation of a healthy society and a resilient economy. When businesses operate in balance with people and the planet, they create lasting prosperity for everyone.
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Transportation
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Veterans
Provide full military, economic, and humanitarian support to Ukraine and the EU to decisively defeat Russian aggression, while fully severing Russia from the global financial system by seizing all assets and properties of Russian oligarchs—including Putin—and redirecting those funds to Ukraine, refugees, and stabilization programs in the U.S. military or government contracts with entities tied to Russia or China.
Provide full military, economic, and humanitarian support to Ukraine and the EU to decisively defeat Russian aggression, while fully severing Russia from the global financial system by seizing all assets and properties of Russian oligarchs—including Putin—and redirecting those funds to Ukraine, refugees, and stabilization programs in the U.S. Impose total sanctions on all individuals and companies doing business with Russia, seize their assets, and apply the proceeds toward paying down the national debt, while banning U.S. military or government contracts with entities tied to Russia or China. Strengthen NATO, renew USAID and international free media, and expand partnerships with African and Global South nations through sustainable public–private development, workforce training, and green-energy modernization modeled on Costa Rica.
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Frequently Asked

Who is Karla Kemp?
Karla Kemp is a 2026 Democrat candidate for State Senate District 18, 18. Karla Kemp has stated positions on 10 key issues.
What office is Karla Kemp running for?
Karla Kemp is running for State Senate District 18, 18.
How can I learn more about Karla Kemp's positions?
Karla Kemp's stated positions cover: Housing, Education, Elections, Environment, Healthcare, Immigration, Gun Policy, Economy, Transportation, Veterans. See full positions below.

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