The florida delegation
congressional officials …
Florida has a pretty diverse and electorally stable congressional delegation.
Of the 30 members in the 2022-2023 class, nine are female, and 21 are male. A third is minority representation through the end of the year. Nine are lawyers, sixteen are business people, one has a medical degree, and one is a former journalist. None hold doctorates, while seven have Master’s degrees.
The University of Florida conferred four degrees - the highest received by any delegation member, while Florida State University conferred three degrees, as did the University of Miami.
One member of the delegation is a former Governor, and two are former Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives.
Several members of the Florida congressional delegation are decorated military members. A few are authors.
The average tenure for the delegation is currently 8.5 terms, assuming everyone completes their service by the end of 2024. The longest-serving member has been in Congress for 11 terms.
Seven members of the Florida delegation are freshmen.
Congressman Michael Waltz is the first Green Beret to serve in Congress ever. A Navy child, he spent 20 years in the United States Army and was deployed to combat in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. He also served in the George W. Bush Pentagon.
When you look at these profiles, we have given each a letter grade for their effort this Congress, based on various factors, which you will find in What Is Thomas Looking For? These letter grades are probably pretty familiar to you if you have ever been a school student (we hope the answer to that is we all have!)
If you see a meager score for a particular member, it will probably be due to one or two key factors: ethics challenges or anti-democratic behavior.
Republicans have been hit hard on their lack of pushback on former President Trump and their support of election denying in the 2020 presidential campaign. The unanswered soaring deficit on their watch, the dismantling of allied relationships around the globe, and opposition to funding anti-authoritarian initiatives. The denial of climate change weighs heavily on us as well. We make no secret that transparency and Government in the Sunshine are vital to us, and we further argue that some have been awful stewards of this category. For example, thirteen of the 30 Florida delegation members voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results the same evening Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol.
Democrats have been hit hard for their lack of progress on critical matters because they control the United States Senate and have a razor-close margin in the U.S. House of Representatives. They have not been innovative or necessarily insistent on finding rational, reasonable solutions to the problems plaguing the American public today. We want to see more and better.
Both have been dinged for being too partisan and not collaborative where evident. Congressman Gaetz owns this category right now because he is too doctrinaire, in our opinion, and an obstructionist to good government in the 21st century.
We also indicate what we believe might be the outcome of these Members’ 2024 elections today. The overwhelming majority of House members were re-elected in 2022, but, as we said, several Democrats lost to Republicans in the surprise of their lives, perhaps. One of two United States Senators is up for re-election this season, and his career ethics have bothered us greatly.
Our prospect ratings fall into three categories:
Safe Bet - which means what it means. These members of Congress are running strong and look to be overwhelming prospects for re-election at this time. However, we reserve the right to re-categorize their chances if necessary.
It’s A Race - means this race is too close to call, and we can not reasonably predict who will win this seat.
Nudging - means the seat is leaning one way or another for this candidate. We have just a small number of current members of Congress in this category. Senator Scott is included since he has a race in 2024. Stay tuned!
Florida is a hot mess when it comes to electoral politics, however. Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a very extreme position on several critical programs in the Sunshine State that make moderates to the right and left of the center and the great middle scratch their heads.
Combine DeSantis’ positioning with that of 12 GOP House members and one U.S. Senator who voted against - voted against - certifying Joe Biden’s election in 2020 despite the number of conservative GOP-appointed judges who determined there was no voter fraud in this last presidential election and in the immediate aftermath of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol in which lives were lost. Many serious injuries were incurred, especially to law enforcement, whom Republicans traditionally supported.
In the meantime, you have probably heard that one of Florida’s newest residents is actively pursuing a White House bid in 2024, as was Governor Ron DeSantis, who rumor has it has been heard whistling "Hail to the Chief” on occasion and planning another run in 2028.
So, would you like to meet these fascinating Floridians? If so, keep reading on!
What Is Thomas Looking For?
learn more about florida
Here are the vulnerable races we are watching in Florida for 2024:
FLS1 - Rick Scott’s seat (Incumbent R)
FL13 - Anna Paulina Luna’s seat (Incumbent R)
FL27 - María Elvira Salazar’s seat (Incumbent R)
FL28 - Antonio Giménez’s seat (Incumbent R)
the senators
Credit: US Sen. Marco Rubio
United States Senator Marco Rubio (R)
Florida’s senior senator from West Miami is entering the second year of his third term in the U.S. Senate. He serves on the Special Committee on Aging, the Appropriations Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. A former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Senator Rubio is married and has four children. He holds a law degree from the University of Miami and ran for president against Donald J. Trump in the 2016 Republican primary.
Thomas Take: Not Up for Re-Election in 2024
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Sen. Rick Scott
United states senator rick scott (r)
Florida’s junior senator is in the sixth year of his first term in the U.S. Senate. A former two-term governor of Florida, and CEO of the largest healthcare company in America, Senator Scott serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Armed Services Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Aging Committee. He earned his law degree at Southern Methodist University, is married, and has two children.
Thomas Take: It’s a Race
Thomas Rank: F
the representatives
Credit: US Rep. Matt Gaetz
district 1 - u.s. rep. matt gaetz (r)
Congressman Matt Gaetz represents a district located in the Panhandle of Florida and lives in Ft. Walton Beach. First elected in 2017, Gaetz is serving his fourth term in Congress. In a strong military district, the Congressman serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on the Judiciary. Married, he is a graduate of the College of William & Mary Law School.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: F
district 2 - U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (r)
Congressman Dunn is completing his fourth term in Congress representing a district that stretches across the Big Bend of Florida just south of the capital city, Tallahassee. A resident of Panama City, Congressman Dunn serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. He is a physician who graduated from George Washington University Medicine, is married, and has three children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
Credit: US Rep. Neal Dunn
Credit: US Rep. Kat Cammack
District 3 - U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (r)
Representing the Gainesville and Ocala communities of Florida, Congresswoman Kat Cammack is serving her second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. She serves on the Agriculture Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee. Married, Representative Cammack was a U.S. House member’s chief of staff before her election in 2020. She holds a graduate degree from the U.S. Naval War College.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
District 4 - U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean (R)
Representing Northeast Florida, including the City of Jacksonville, Representative Aaron Bean is serving his first term in the U.S. House. A former member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, Congressman Bean is a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Small Business Committee. Married, he is a graduate of Jacksonville University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Aaron Bean
Credit: US Rep. John Rutherford
district 5 - U.S. rep. John Rutherford (r)
A former law enforcement officer and Sheriff, Congressman John Rutherford represents the district in and around Jacksonville. He is serving his fourth term in Congress and serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Ethics Committee. Married and the father of two children, Congressman Rutherford earned his degree from Florida State University.
Thomas Take: Nudging Republican
Thomas Rank: D
district 6 - U.S. rep. Michael Waltz (r)
The sixth district runs along the Flagler/Volusia County coastline of Florida and is represented by Congressman Michael Waltz, a third-term member of the U.S. House. Congressman Waltz has a deep background in military and security issues and serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. His degree is from the Virginia Military Institute. Representative Waltz is married and the father of two.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: A
Credit: US Rep. Michael Waltz
Credit: US Rep. Cory Mills
district 7 - U.S. rep. cory mills (r)
U.S. Representative Cory Mills is a first-term member of Congress whose district runs from North Orlando over to the eastern coastal area of Florida. A defense contractor and business executive before being elected in 2022, Mills serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Married and a father, Rep. Mills holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the American Military University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: A
district 8 - U.S. Rep. Bill Posey (r)
Now in his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Bill Posey represents Brevard County which comprises Florida’s Space Coast and the Kennedy Space Center. He serves on the Financial Services Committee and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. A graduate of Brevard Community College, Congressman Posey is married and the father of two.
Thomas Take: Not Running for Re-Election (Open Seat) - Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
Credit: US Rep. Bill Posey
Credit: US Rep. Darren Soto
district 9 - U.S. rep. Darren Soto (d)
Congressman Darren Soto represents a district that comprises the southernmost parts of Greater Orlando near Walt Disney World. Now serving his fourth term in Congress, Representative Soto serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Committee on Agriculture. He earned his law degree from George Washington University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 10 - u.s. rep. Maxwell frost (d)
The first-term member of Congress represents the district around the “City Beautiful” including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Representative Frost serves on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Maxwell Frost
Credit: US Rep. Daniel Webster
district 11 - U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster (r)
A former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Congressman Daniel Webster represents a district on the west side of Orlando that stretches over to the Gulf of Mexico. He is serving his seventh term in the U.S. House. Congressman Webster serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Georgia Tech University, is married, and has six children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
district 12 - U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (r)
Congressman Gus Bilirakis represents the north Tampa Bay area in and around New Port Richey in Congress and is serving his ninth term in Congress. He serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Married with four children, Congressman Bilirakis holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Gus Bilirakis
Credit: US Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
district 13 - U.S. Rep. anna paulina luna (r)
A political activist, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna is a second-term member of the U.S. House representing the Clearwater/St. Petersburg region of the Sunshine State. She serves on the Natural Resources Committee, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, the Appropriations Committee, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Married with one child, she is a graduate of the University of West Florida.
Thomas Take: Nudging Republican
Thomas Rank: B
district 14 - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (d)
Congresswoman Kathy Castor represents the Tampa Bay area in Congress and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. Representative Castor is a nine-term Member of Congress. A graduate of the Florida State University College of Law, Castor is married with two children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: A
Credit: US Rep. Kathy Castor
Credit: US Rep. Laurel Lee
District 15 - U.S. Rep. Laurel lee (r)
Serving her first term in Congress, Representative Laurel Lee represents the people around Lakeland and Brandon, Florida. A former judge and Florida Secretary of State, Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Administration Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and the Judiciary Committee. Married and the mother of three, Congresswoman Lee earned her undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Florida.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: C
District 16 - U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (r)
Congressman Vern Buchanan represents the Sarasota area in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is serving his ninth term in Congress and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. Congressman Buchanan is married and has two children. He has an MBA from the University of Detroit.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: C
Credit: US Rep. Vern Buchanan
Credit: US Rep. Gregory Steube
district 17 - U.S. Rep. Gregory Steube (R)
Congressman Gregory Steube represents the Sarasota area in the U.S. House of Representatives where is serving his third term in office. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Congressman Stuebe is married with one child and graduated from the University of Florida Law School where he also earned his undergraduate degree.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
District 18 - U.S. Rep. scott franklin (R)
A two-term Member of Congress, Representative Scott Franklin represents one of the most interior South Florida congressional districts in the Sunshine State. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee A graduate of the United States Naval Academy who also holds a graduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Congressman Franklin is married and the father of three.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
Credit: US Rep. Scott Franklin
Credit: US Rep. Byron Donalds
district 19 - U.S. Rep. byron donalds (r)
A former financial professional, Representative Byron Donalds represents the Naples, Ft. Myers, and Cape Coral communities in southwest Florida. A second-term Member of Congress, Donalds serves on the Financial Services Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. He is married, has three children, and earned his undergraduate degree at Florida State University. In 2023, Donalds was briefly considered for the House Speakership in 2023.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
district 20 - U.S. Rep. sheila cherfilus-mccormick (d)
A businesswoman who ran for the seat two times before winning a special election in 2022 is a freshman member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She represents the Broward/Palm Beach County area of east coast Florida. Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Married with two children, the Congresswoman holds a law degree from St. Thomas University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Credit: US Rep. Brian Mast
district 21 - U.S. Rep. Brian mast (r)
Congressman Brian Mast is a war-wounded military veteran who is serving his fourth term in Congress representing the West Palm Beach area. He serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. He earned his undergraduate degree from the American Military University, is married, and has four children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
district 22 - U.S. rep. lois frankel (d)
Congresswoman Lois Frankel represents West Palm Beach County in the U.S. House. She is serving her sixth term in Congress and is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. A former Minority Leader in the Florida House, Congresswoman Frankel has an undergraduate degree from Boston University and a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Lois Frankel
Credit: US Rep. Jared Moskowitz
district 23 - U.S. Rep. jared moskowitz (d)
Freshman Congressman Jared Moskowitz represents an area that stretches from Boca Raton to Fort Lauderdale. A former head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, Congressman Moskowitz serves on the Oversight and Accountability Committee as well as the Foreign Affairs Committee. Married, he earned his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 24 - U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (d)
Serving her seventh term in the U.S. House, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson serves on the Education and Workforce Committee and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Her district includes parts of Miami-Dade County. A former member of the Florida House and the Florida Senate, Congresswoman Wilson holds a Master’s degree from the University of Miami, is widowed, and has three children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Frederica Wilson
Credit: US Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
district 25 - U.S. Rep. Debbie wasserman schultz (d)
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz represents Dade County in the U.S. House where she is completing her tenth term in office. A former chair of the Democratic National Committee, and member of both the Florida House and Senate, Representative Wasserman Schultz serves on the Appropriations Committee. The Congresswoman holds a Master’s degree from the University of Florida, is married, and has three children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 26 - U.S. rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (r)
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart represents a district that spans across the Sunshine State from Doral to Naples. Completing his eleventh term in the U.S. House, making him the Florida Congressional Delegation Dean, Congressman Diaz-Balart serves on the Appropriations Committee. He studied at the University of South Florida, is married, and has one child.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
Credit: US Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart
Credit: US Rep. María Elvira Salazar
district 27 - U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R)
A journalist and author, two-term Congresswoman Salazar represents a district southeast of Miami in the U.S. House. She serves on the Foreign Affairs and Small Business Committees. The Congresswoman earned her undergraduate degree in communications from the University of Miami and her Master’s degree from Harvard University. She is married and has two children.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: C
district 28 - U.S. Rep. Carlos Antonio Giménez (r)
A former fire chief and mayor of Miami, Congressman Giménez is a two-term member of Congress who represents a district that spans the southern tip of Florida, south of Miami to Key West and over to the Gulf of Mexico. He serves on the Armed Services and Homeland Security committees. The Congressman earned his undergraduate degree from Barry University, is married, and has three children.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: D
Credit: US Rep. Carlos Antonio Giménez