Tampa Bay 28 invited more than 200 candidates running in the August 18, 2026, primary election across our five-county area to submit the following: a candidate photo, a 100-word biography, and responses to three questions:
- Why are you running for office?
- In your own words, what differentiates you from your opponents?
- Explain what you see as the most important issue facing our community and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
The following candidates responded to our questionnaire.
Zach Funkhouser
Background(Provided by candidate):
I currently work as a K-8 Adapted Physical Education teacher in Pasco.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I feel that my generation is getting left behind and someone needs to step up.
In your own words, what differentiates you from your opponents?
I believe that what differentiates me from my opponents is that I am a young candidate who supports the working class.
Explain what you see as the most important issue facing our community and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?
I am uniquely positioned to solve our affordability crisis since I am working in the trenches just like everyone else, and I see how big corporations and multi-millionaires are ruining things for the rest of us.
Catching Rays with Victor Mesa Jr.
Sports anchor Kyle Burger and Victor Mesa Jr. had “Catching Rays” conversation about Mesa Jr.’s Cuban roots, his famous father, and how he brings the good vibes to the Rays clubhouse.
