The Ballot Brief
Hillsborough County, Florida

Florida House District 65

As of November 4, 2026, Florida Politics reported that Karen Gonzalez Pittman won Florida House District 65; the result is unofficial until Florida certifies it on November 17. Braver and Pittman were on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Hillsborough County election filings. Certified results will appear here once the election office certifies the count. Florida certifies the general election by November 17, 2026; county canvasses are due November 16. Official results: floridaelectionwatch.gov.

About this race

Ben Braver (Democratic), Karen Gonzalez Pittman (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 65; Karen Gonzalez Pittman is the sitting member, per the Florida House of Representatives' 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, Karen Gonzalez Pittman, is on the ballot.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Florida › Hillsborough County › Florida House District 65

Who won? The official answer comes November 17.

Florida makes results final in three steps.
✓
Done · Nov 3
Votes were cast and counted
Election night totals are a first count, not the final one.
2
Happening now · by Nov 16
Hillsborough County double-checks its count
The county reviews mail ballots, provisional ballots and any recount, then sends official totals to the state.
3
Next · Nov 17
Florida makes it official
The Elections Canvassing Commission certifies the result. The winner appears on this page that day.

What local news is reporting

Not official yetUpdated November 4, 2026

This report is cited to the outlet that published it. We do not call races. Official running count: Florida official results.

Florida House District 65
Karen Gonzalez Pittman won the race for Florida House District 65, Florida Politics reported.Florida Politics, “Karen Gonzalez Pittman wins third term in HD 65, defeating Ben Braver”, November 4, 2026. Unofficial until certified.

Reports are checked daily until Florida certifies on November 17; a certified winner replaces the report on that day.

Ben Braver

Democratic

Biography

Ben Braver is the Democratic candidate for Florida House District 65 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Braver is a middle school teacher in Hillsborough County and a member of the teachers' union, per campaign site. He faces Republican incumbent Karen Gonzalez Pittman in the November general election, per campaign materials.

Karen Gonzalez Pittman

Karen Gonzalez Pittman

RepublicanIncumbent

Biography

Karen Gonzalez Pittman's occupation is listed as business owner and educator, according to the Florida House's official member page, which also notes she holds University of South Florida degrees in elementary education and in measurement, evaluation and testing. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Next on the ballotFlorida House District 66

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Florida House District 65 in 2026?

As of November 4, 2026, Florida Politics reported that Karen Gonzalez Pittman won Florida House District 65; the result is unofficial until Florida certifies it on November 17. 2 candidates were tracked for Florida House District 65 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ben Braver and Karen Gonzalez Pittman. Candidate information follows official Hillsborough County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Florida House District 65 election in Florida?

Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Certified results will appear on this page as the election office certifies them. Florida certifies the general election by November 17, 2026; county canvasses are due November 16. Official results: https://floridaelectionwatch.gov/. Voting rules for Florida are on the Florida election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hillsborough 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.

Who won the Florida House District 65 race?

As of November 4, 2026, Florida Politics reported that Karen Gonzalez Pittman won Florida House District 65; the result is unofficial until Florida certifies it on November 17. Source: Florida Politics, "Karen Gonzalez Pittman wins third term in HD 65, defeating Ben Braver", November 4, 2026. We do not call races.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified October 15, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Hillsborough County ballot

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

Also on the November 3 ballot
Florida House District 67Florida House District 68Florida House District 69See all 16 Hillsborough County races
Candidate profiles
Ben Braver, full profileKaren Gonzalez Pittman, full profileOfficial Florida election office