Christopher Irizarry

Christopher Irizarry

Democratic Party

Candidate, U.S. House Florida District 12

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

High school

American Senior High School

Bachelor's

Florida Atlantic University, 1994

Graduate

University of Phoenix, 2006

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1995 - 2003

Personal

Birthplace

Hialeah, Fla.

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Christopher Irizarry (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 12th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.^[source]

Irizarry completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Christopher Irizarry was born in Hialeah, Florida. He served in the U.S. Army from 1995 to 2003. He graduated from American Senior High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1994 and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 2006. His career experience includes working for the Central Intelligence Agency. He has been affiliated with the Pasco Democratic Public Education Caucus, the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida - Hernando County Chapter, and the United School Employees of Pasco R (Non-Educator member).

Elections

2026

See also: Florida's 12th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Florida District 12

Incumbent Gus M. Bilirakis and Christopher Irizarry are running in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 12 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Gus M. Bilirakis (R)
		Christopher Irizarry (D)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Christopher Irizarry completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Irizarry's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Hialeah and grew up in Carol City, Florida. I earned my BFA from Florida Atlantic University in 1994, and joined the U.S. Army in 1995. I enlisted as a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Repairer and served in South Korea, North Carolina, Germany, and Colorado. I was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, The Air Crewmember Badge, and the German Schutzenschnur. I was honorably discharged in 2003. After short stints in corporate America and military contracting for employment, I joined CIA in 2006. Beyond my time in Washington, D.C. I served in Central Asia, Africa, and Europe where I was involved in HUMINT operations in counterproliferation and counterintelligence. I retired from CIA in September 2024 and settled in Hudson, Florida.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I believe healthcare is not only a right, it is a matter of national security. Because of this, I would fight to implement Medicare For All and to fully fund and staff the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• I believe our country should lay the groundwork to make long-term financial stability possible. I would fight for strong unions, a living wage, affordable housing, and the strengthening of Social Security.
• Public schools are where America's children are able to first experience the tenets of democracy. Therefore, I believe in a fully funded public education system along with an increase in salary and autonomy for teachers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I would welcome greater strides in overturning Citizens United and the development of a national Artificial Intelligence policy.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

When it comes to encapsulating the inherent level of influence the United States commands on the global stage, I can't think of a better analogy than the one used by Gen. Anthony Zinni in his book "Battle For Peace".

His analogy likens the world to a room filled with people, each representing one nation on Earth. The room itself has just enough room for all the 'people' to stand and move about and exist without causing too much ruckus for more than one or two people at a time. When it comes to the United States, however, it's not a person standing there -- it's a fully grown, silverback gorilla. If the gorilla shifts his weight while sitting, stirs while sleeping, or scratches his upper arm, a ripple effect through the crowd of 'people' is inevitable -- no matter how hard the gorilla tries not to disturb those around him.
The United States came into existence as a gorilla in a room full of people. It can't choose to not be the gorilla any more than the gorilla can. Being the gorilla comes with unintended consequences for just existing.

That summarizes why I believe the United States has to embrace it's role on the global stage -- it really doesn't have a choice and it's something Americans need to be aware of in order to appreciate.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

They should have credibility and a sense of duty to the Constitution and their constituents.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have 24 years of experience working in Federal organizations. I have worked with different officials with different priorities and views and always focused on accomplishing our goals.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To operate as a co-equal branch of government.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave not only an impactful legacy with legislation, but also a legacy that I had a measure of success in building the bench of up-and-coming legislatures.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at a yogurt store near school. I believe I had that job throughout my senior high school year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut. It's a work unlike anything I can remember Vonnegut writing, and how it takes the reader through the moral dilemmas one faces when conducting espionage.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Well, I was a huge fan of Spiderman as a kid. Today, I think that's still my choice because of Uncle Ben's advice to Peter: 'With great power comes great responsibility.'

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Absolutely.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Dealing with its damage reputation as a credible and serious world leader.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe so. A two-year term requires a representative to stay in touch with their constituents if they wish to continue serving.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I would support implementation of term limits.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

To a point. One cannot expect to operate in government without being willing to compromise. However, one should not be willing to capitulate on promises this country made to our veterans or to those that paid into Social Security.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Objectively and without delay.

What committees interest you?

Because of my experience I would be most interested in the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I would also be interested in serving on the Armed Services and Education and Workforce Committees.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

One of the first things I learned in the Army was this: Never mess with Uncle Sam's money. I am a staunch believer in holding those accountable who misuse, misdirect, or flat out steal American tax payer dollars. Full stop.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Christopher Irizarry campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. House Florida District 12	Candidacy Declared general	$847	$517
Grand total			$847	$517
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2026 Elections

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External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Florida District 12

Website

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Footnotes

[show]

Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ashley Moody (R)

Rick Scott (R)

Representatives

District 1

Jimmy Patronis (R)

District 2

Neal Dunn (R)

District 3

Kat Cammack (R)

District 4

Aaron Bean (R)

District 5

John Rutherford (R)

District 6

Randy Fine (R)

District 7

Cory Mills (R)

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (R)

District 9

Darren Soto (D)

District 10

Maxwell Frost (D)

District 11

Daniel Webster (R)

District 12

Gus Bilirakis (R)

District 13

Anna Luna (R)

District 14

Kathy Castor (D)

District 15

Laurel Lee (R)

District 16

Vern Buchanan (R)

District 17

Greg Steube (R)

District 18

Scott Franklin (R)

District 19

Byron Donalds (R)

District 20

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

District 21

Brian Mast (R)

District 22

Lois Frankel (D)

District 23

Jared Moskowitz (D)

District 24

Frederica Wilson (D)

District 25

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

District 26

Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

District 27

Maria Elvira Salazar (R)

District 28

Carlos Gimenez (R)

Republican Party (22)

Democratic Party (8)