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Op-ed

The Conservative Case for Hilary Holley

By Sam RomainChairman, Polk County Republican Executive Committee

Rep. Hilary Holley of Polk City, head of the Florida FFA Foundation, is the Republican nominee for Florida House District 51 on Nov. 3, 2026.

State Rep. Hilary Holley is the Republican nominee for Florida House District 51 in northeast Polk County, and she is endorsed by the Polk County Republican Executive Committee. The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Rep. Hilary Holley of Polk City won the March 24, 2026 special election with 54.18 percent of the vote, and on November 3 she asks voters for her first full term.

Quick facts: Rep. Hilary Holley

Who is Hilary Holley?

Hilary Holley is a fifth-generation Floridian married to a seventh-generation Floridian. She and her husband, Dusty, live in Polk City and are raising two young children, Webb and Waverly. She lists her faith as Christian and her pastimes as cattle ranching, Gator athletics and supporting youth baseball, and she has said her approach to the job is "guided by conservative values and her personal faith." Her family works in agriculture: she leads the Florida FFA Foundation, and her husband represents the cattle industry.

At the Florida FFA Foundation she supports agricultural education and student leadership programs across the state. Before that she worked in Tallahassee for a state senator and for two Florida Cabinet members, so she arrived at the Capitol knowing how it works.

She won the seat on March 24, 2026, with 8,411 votes, after former Rep. Josie Tomkow stepped down. The state canvassing commission certified the result on April 7, and she took the oath of office on the House floor on April 28, administered by Florida Supreme Court Justice Adam Tannenbaum. Because she was sworn in after the regular session ended, November is her first chance to win a full two-year term and file bills for a full session.

Why does Hilary Holley matter for Polk agriculture?

Polk County is farm and ranch country, and Hilary Holley lives that life. "Florida's ag industry is the second largest, and when tourism isn't performing as well, we're sometimes the largest industry here in the state," she said. "It is an absolutely vital part of our state's economy."

The Florida Chamber of Commerce endorsed her because of that record. "Hilary is a local business leader and with her background in agriculture, we are confident in Hilary's commitment to empower job creators and the free market," said Chamber President Mark Wilson.

What does Hilary Holley stand for?

North Polk is growing fast. Holley said that growth is "driving up housing costs and straining our infrastructure," and she ran to "ensure Florida remains a place where families can afford to live, businesses can grow, and freedom is protected."

From her campaign platform:

  • Insurance and affordability: reform the insurance system to lower premiums for homeowners and renters
  • Border security: enforce immigration laws and protect our communities
  • The Constitution: defend the rights and freedoms it guarantees
  • Small government: cut bureaucracy and spend taxpayer dollars wisely
  • Education: expand choices for parents, including charter schools and homeschooling
  • Law enforcement: give officers the resources they need to keep families safe

She has said she will "put Florida First and make decisions that serve the best interests of Polk County."

Why should Polk County vote for Hilary Holley?

  • She is Polk's own. She lives in Polk City and comes from a Florida farm family.
  • She protects agriculture. She leads the Florida FFA Foundation and backs our farmers and ranchers.
  • She takes growth seriously. She is focused on housing costs, infrastructure and overdevelopment in north Polk.
  • She has Polk's leaders behind her. Sheriff Grady Judd, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Property Appraiser Neil Combee and Polk's House delegation endorsed her.

Frequently asked questions

Who represents Florida House District 51? Rep. Hilary Holley, a Republican from Polk City, elected in a March 24, 2026 special election.

Is Hilary Holley a conservative? Yes. She runs on enforcing immigration law, small government, defending the Constitution, backing law enforcement and expanding school choice, including charter schools and homeschooling.

What has Hilary Holley done for Polk County? She has spent her career on Florida agriculture and youth, now leading the Florida FFA Foundation, and she is focused on the housing costs and infrastructure strain from fast growth in north Polk.

Who endorsed Hilary Holley? Sheriff Grady Judd, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, U.S. Reps. Laurel Lee and Kat Cammack, State Reps. Jon Albert and Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, Property Appraiser Neil Combee, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Polk County Republican Executive Committee.

What areas does House District 51 cover? Auburndale, Haines City, Davenport, Lake Alfred, Polk City, Four Corners and nearby north Polk communities.

When is the election? Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting runs October 19 through October 31.

What does Hilary Holley do outside the Legislature? She is Executive Director of the Florida FFA Foundation.

How to vote in Polk County

Early voting runs from Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 31, from 9 AM to 6 PM at any of Polk County's 10 early voting sites. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. For locations and vote-by-mail details, see the Polk County GOP Voter Guide.

Vote Hilary Holley for Florida House of Representatives, District 51.

Want to help? Volunteer today at polk.gop/volunteer.

Sources

Paid political advertisement paid for by the Polk County Republican Executive Committee, 6039 Cypress Gardens Blvd; Box 108, Winter Haven, FL 33884. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Portrait of Sam Romain

About the author

Sam Romain

Chairman, Polk County Republican Executive Committee

Sam Romain is Chairman of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee, the county party organization representing registered Republicans across Polk County's precincts. He writes here on behalf of the committee on elections, county governance and the issues facing Polk County voters.

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