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Christopher Proia
Christopher Proia (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Florida State Senate to represent District 33. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Proia completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Christopher Proia was born in Fort Myers, Florida. Proia's career experience includes working as a laborer, comedian and truck driver.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Florida State Senate District 33
Incumbent Jonathan Allen Martin defeated Christopher Proia in the general election for Florida State Senate District 33 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jonathan Allen Martin (R) | 66.0 | 175,411 |
 | Christopher Proia (D)  | 34.0 | 90,247 | |
| Total votes: 265,658 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Christopher Proia advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 33.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jonathan Allen Martin advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 33.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Proia's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Proia in this election.
2022
See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Florida State Senate District 27
Incumbent Ben Albritton defeated Christopher Proia in the general election for Florida State Senate District 27 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ben Albritton (R) | 71.2 | 141,045 |
| Christopher Proia (D) | 28.8 | 56,940 | |
| Total votes: 197,985 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Christopher Proia advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 27.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ben Albritton advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 27.
Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Christopher Proia completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Proia's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Working-Class Representation As a working man from Southwest Florida, I understand firsthand the struggles of everyday Floridians. I’m committed to fighting for affordable housing, healthcare, and disaster preparedness. Unlike career politicians, I’ll bring real-life experience to the table, ensuring that our state government works for the people—not elites or special interests.
- Non-Partisan Leadership My campaign is about serving the needs of all residents in District 33. I will always prioritize what’s best for Fort Myers and Cape Coral over political parties and big-money donors. It’s time for leaders who put their community first, not partisan bickering.
- Accountability and Action Our leaders must be held accountable. I’m running to ensure that the people of District 33 have a senator who listens and acts. I will push for meaningful legislation that directly impacts working families, ensuring their voices are heard in Tallahassee.
- Empathy** is also vital. Elected officials need to understand and connect with the everyday struggles of their constituents. Whether it’s working families, small business owners, or seniors on fixed incomes, empathy allows leaders to craft policies that truly make a difference. **Resilience** is important as well, especially in today’s polarized political climate. Officials need the strength to stand firm on their values while remaining open to new ideas and productive dialogue.
- Empathy** is also vital. Elected officials need to understand and connect with the everyday struggles of their constituents. Whether it’s working families, small business owners, or seniors on fixed incomes, empathy allows leaders to craft policies that truly make a difference. **Resilience** is important as well, especially in today’s polarized political climate. Officials need the strength to stand firm on their values while remaining open to new ideas and productive dialogue.
Additionally, a good leader must be **accessible**—willing to listen, communicate, and remain engaged with their community. Public service isn’t just about making speeches or passing laws; it’s about building relationships and solving problems that affect people's lives. **Collaboration** is also essential. No leader can accomplish real change alone, and working across party lines for the common good is key to making progress.
Finally, an official should be committed to **servant leadership**—putting the needs of their constituents before personal ambitions or partisan goals. At the end of the day, it's about leaving the community better off than when they started. These principles ensure that leaders work not for themselves, but for the people they were elected to serve.
- Leadership #Integrity #Accountability #Empathy #Resilience #CommunityFirst #PublicService #FloridaSenate
Empathy is another key quality that I bring to the table. My experiences as a stand-up comedian and a caretaker for my mom have honed my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I approach each issue with a genuine understanding of its impact on individuals and families, ensuring that my decisions are informed by real-world experiences and not just theoretical concepts.
Resilience is crucial in navigating the complexities of government and the often polarized nature of politics. I am prepared to face challenges head-on, remaining steadfast in my commitment to improving our state while working collaboratively with others to find effective solutions. My background in both the entertainment industry and the trucking industry has equipped me with the resilience and adaptability needed to tackle tough problems and advocate for meaningful change.
Integrity and transparency are fundamental to my approach to leadership. I am dedicated to making decisions based on what is best for the people, rather than succumbing to political pressures or special interests. I believe in being open and honest with my constituents, ensuring that they are informed and involved in the decision-making process.
Where are the voices of working-class people, teachers, nurses, truck drivers, and others who are on the ground, dealing with the everyday challenges most Floridians face? These perspectives are crucial to making informed decisions that impact the entire population. People from diverse backgrounds bring real-life experience to the table—whether it’s about the struggle to pay rent, access affordable healthcare, or navigate the job market. When legislators come from varied professions and walks of life, they craft policies that consider a wider range of needs and challenges, not just those that benefit the wealthy or politically connected.
Additionally, individuals without a traditional political background often have a fresh perspective. They aren’t tied to the same political games and can approach problems with common-sense solutions rather than focusing on partisan agendas or pleasing special interest groups. They understand what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck or to struggle during natural disasters like hurricanes, and they bring that firsthand experience into decision-making.
Having good relationships with fellow lawmakers allows for **cross-party cooperation**, which is key to passing meaningful legislation. Complex issues often require input from multiple perspectives to ensure that solutions are comprehensive and inclusive. For instance, discussions about affordable housing, healthcare, or disaster preparedness benefit from insights across the political spectrum, helping to create policies that are fair and practical for all residents.
Moreover, strong relationships can facilitate **negotiation and compromise**, leading to more effective and balanced policies. When legislators work together and understand each other’s priorities, they’re better positioned to find common ground and address the pressing needs of their constituents. This approach helps to break through political gridlock and ensures that legislation moves forward, rather than being stalled by partisan conflict.
Building these relationships also fosters a sense of **mutual respect** and trust, which can be instrumental in addressing long-term challenges. Legislators who communicate openly and collaborate regularly are more likely to work towards solutions that reflect the best interests of the public, rather than engaging in divisive tactics that only serve narrow interests.
This bill aims to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare to every resident, ensuring that no one has to choose between their health and their financial stability. By adopting this healthcare model, Florida has the opportunity to lead the nation in demonstrating how effective and equitable healthcare can be achieved. Our state can set a precedent, showing that complete coverage is not only feasible but also beneficial for the overall well-being of our population.
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.
2022
Christopher Proia did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 17, 2024
