State Representative District 53
August 18, 2026 · State House District 53; Florida · State house district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: High · 72 out of 100
Smaller districts give each vote more weight, and this district is small for its type. About 180,853 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(221,815 ÷ 180,853) ÷ ln(221,815 ÷ 167,065) = 72.02, comparing state house districts in FL (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
High representation + unknown decisiveness → High vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the statehouse
- Serving on committees that shape bills before final votes
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Brian Hawkins
Republican · declared
Brian Hawkins is a Republican candidate for Florida House District 53 and the District 2 member of the Hernando County Commission, where his campaign identifies him as commission chairman. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, a local business owner and chief executive, and a husband and father. His commission record and campaign emphasize property-tax reduction, debt reduction, budget transparency, hurricane response, law enforcement and first-responder support, infrastructure, and a veterans memorial. His platform also emphasizes smaller government, E-Verify expansion, constitutional rights, small business, schools, and economic growth.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Government Efficiency 4 for, Government Spending Reduction 3 for, Gun Control 1 against, Personal Income Tax Reduction 2 for, Public Infrastructure 2 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 3 for
John Carroll
Republican · declared
John Carroll is a Republican candidate for Florida House District 53, chair of the Hernando County Housing Authority, a member of Florida's Barbers' Board, and a sergeant in the Florida State Guard. He is a United States Army veteran and a member of the Military Police Regimental Association. Carroll earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Saint Leo University. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him to the Barbers' Board in 2024 and reappointed him to the Hernando County Housing Authority in 2025.
Records: Public Education Quality 1 for
Election sources
Source: dos.elections.myflorida.com
Source: dos.elections.myflorida.com
Source: dos.elections.myflorida.com
Source: dos.fl.gov