News and analysis right to your inbox. Click to get Ballotpedia’s newsletters!

Florida's 17th Congressional District election, 2026 (August 18 Democratic primary)

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge-smaller use.png
U.S. House • Congressional special elections • Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • Municipal • Recalls • All local elections by county • How to run for office
Flag of Florida.png


← 2024
Florida's 17th Congressional District
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 12, 2026
Primary: August 18, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Florida

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Florida's 17th Congressional District
1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 15th • 16th • 17th • 18th • 19th • 20th • 21st • 22nd • 23rd • 24th • 25th • 26th • 27th • 28th
Florida elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

A Democratic Party primary takes place on August 18, 2026, in Florida's 17th Congressional District to determine which Democratic candidate will run in the district's general election on November 3, 2026.

Candidate filing deadline Primary election General election
June 12, 2026
August 18, 2026
November 3, 2026



A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Florida utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[1][2]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

This page focuses on Florida's 17th Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 17

Matthew Montavon (D) and Allen Spence (D) are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 17 on August 18, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Matthew Montavon
Matthew Montavon  Candidate Connection
Image of Allen Spence
Allen Spence  Candidate Connection

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = 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.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Matthew Montavon

Image of Matthew Montavon

WebsiteFacebookXYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I am running for the US Congress because • I believe in Democracy, • I believe that people can still have a voice in their future, • I believe we need to make choices that will provide for an economy for all, for universal health care, for immigration justice, for combating climate change and protecting the environment, and for a women’s right to choose. My background is public service, from the Peace Corps, to working six years with local governments and national associations, to working 27 years with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization combating hunger and poverty around the world. I am a compassionate individual, and throughout my life I have looked for opportunities to contribute to the community. I have volunteered for food pantries, Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, hurricane relief and in many other roles. What I will bring to Congress is • a sense of compassion for people and the recognition that sometimes people need a hand up, not a hand down. • An ethical standing that recognized that I am there as a servant of the people, and not to promote my own interests or wealth. • Diplomatic and political skills to work with anyone to find solutions to our district’s and our nation’s problems. • Having an understanding of how government works through my years of working in government. • A world perspective that understands our value, our place and our contribution to the world"

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

I will work to fund critical government programs and agencies, expand public services that make our democracy stronger, including education, the transition to renewable energy, voting access, foreign aid, and civil rights protection. I will work to end the abuse of executive power, establishing legislation to ensure the independence of the U.S. Department of Justice from political interference and protect Inspectors General, Assistant Attorneys General, and federal regulatory board members from unlawful dismissals. I will work to strengthen independent oversight of the federal government by establishing ethics standards and implement stronger rules against federal officials profiting from their official actions.

I will work to expand affordable housing through federal support for the construction of affordable housing units, incentivize local development, and strengthen programs for renter support to ensure everyone affords a place to live. I will also work to lower the cost of living for working families through the control of inflation addressing the rising cost of groceries, utilities, and everyday essentials through sound economic policies. I will work to make healthcare affordable and accessible by protecting the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid in the short-term while pushing for universal healthcare in the long term. This will ensure that no American is forced to choose between medical care and financial stability.

I will work to reform immigration enforcement including advocating for the elimination of ICE in its current form and bring US immigration enforcement into line with international human rights standards. Detention should only be used under strict, limited conditions and as a measure of last resort. I will insist on legislation that bars all law enforcement agents from wearing masks or otherwise concealing their identities while on duty. I will also push actions to enforce standards of conduct to hold those agents accountable for any abuses. I will also work on immigration reform to create a comprehensive pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and long-term undocumented immigrants who contribute to our country.

Allen Spence

Image of Allen Spence

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I'm Allen Spence, a candidate for the U.S. House in Florida’s 17th Congressional District. I’m running to bring a practical, pro-growth approach to Washington. Too many families are feeling the pinch, at the grocery store, in housing and insurance. I’ve seen this struggle firsthand with my own parents, who are on a fixed income. I believe government should make your life easier, not more expensive. My opponent is focused on political feuds; I am focused on fiscal solutions. As a finance and operations professional, I'm a problem-solver who believes in transparency and accountability. That’s the mindset I’ll bring to Congress. My top priorities are: Lowering costs. I will fight to end tariff taxes that raise prices on everyday goods and hurt small businesses. Reforming Social Security & Medicare. I have a plan to reform Social Security and Medicare so that current benefits are protected and the long term program is solvent. Supporting our local economy. I will champion tourism, cut red tape for entrepreneurs, and invest in workforce development. Bipartisan collaboration. I'm committed to working with pragmatic Democrats and Republicans to deliver fiscally responsible solutions. I will be accessible to every voter Democrat, Republican, and NPA alike. We deserve a representative who is serious about lowering costs, protecting retirements, and growing the economy, not someone who treats politics like a shouting match. I would be honored to earn your vote."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Tariffs are not just a trade policy; they are a tax on families and businesses. They raise the cost of everything from groceries to car parts, hurting our district’s retirees and small businesses. The U.S. Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to lay and collect tariffs. It's time for Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority and put a stop to these hidden taxes that harm our economy. I'll work with anyone, regardless of party, to end these counterproductive tariffs and promote fair trade that benefits the people of Florida.

My opponent, Greg Steube, supports a political agenda that is directly hurting our local economy. The rhetoric against other Western nations and Trump's tariffs are not a show of strength; they are a tax on our people and an attack on our tourism industry. Our district relies on visitors, and when international relations sour, those tourists choose to go elsewhere. This means fewer jobs, less revenue for our small businesses, and a strain on the very industry that fuels the Suncoast. We need a representative focused on prosperity, not punishment, and on building bridges, not walls.

Every person in our country, regardless of their background, is protected by the Bill of Rights. The Fourth Amendment's promise against unreasonable searches and seizures is a cornerstone of American liberty. Federal agents, including ICE, must be held to this standard. They cannot enter a home without a proper judicial warrant, and they cannot conduct broad, warrantless searches. We must defend these constitutional principles to protect everyone's privacy and security. I will fight to ensure federal agencies respect the rights of all people and are held accountable to the law.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Florida

Election information in Florida: Aug. 18, 2026, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

  • In-person: July 20, 2026
  • By mail: Postmarked by July 20, 2026
  • Online: July 20, 2026

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

  • In-person: Aug. 6, 2026
  • By mail: Received by Aug. 6, 2026
  • Online: Aug. 6, 2026

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

  • In-person: Aug. 18, 2026
  • By mail: Received by Aug. 18, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

Aug. 8, 2026 to Aug. 15, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (ET/CT)

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Matthew Montavon Democratic Party $41,232 $17,177 $24,055 As of December 31, 2025
Allen Spence Democratic Party $12,801 $10,321 $2,581 As of December 31, 2025

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.

District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

  • District map - A map of the district in place for the election.
  • Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2026 U.S. House elections in the state.
  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
  • State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.


Below is the district map in place for this election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

2023_01_03_fl_congressional_district_017.jpg
See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2026
Information about competitiveness will be added here as it becomes available.

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Florida's 17th the 113th most Republican district nationally.[3]

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2024 presidential election was in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by The Downballot.

2024 presidential results in Florida's 17th Congressional District
Kamala Harris Democratic PartyDonald Trump Republican Party
38.0%62.0%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Florida, 2024

Florida presidential election results (1900-2024)

  • 17 Democratic wins
  • 15 Republican wins
Year 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Winning Party D D D D D D D R D D D D D R R R D R R D R R R R D R R D D R R R
See also: Party control of Florida state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Florida's congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Florida
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 0 8 8
Republican 2 20 22
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 28 30

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Florida's top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Florida, October 2025
OfficeOfficeholder
GovernorRepublican Party Ron DeSantis
Lieutenant GovernorRepublican Party Jay Collins
Secretary of StateRepublican Party Cord Byrd
Attorney GeneralRepublican Party James Uthmeier

State legislature

Florida State Senate

Party As of January 2026
     Democratic Party 11
     Republican Party 27
     Other 1
     Vacancies 1
Total 40

Florida House of Representatives

Party As of January 2026
     Democratic Party 33
     Republican Party 84
     Other 0
     Vacancies 3
Total 120

Trifecta control

Florida Party Control: 1992-2025
One year of a Democratic trifecta  •  Twenty-six years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R I R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
Senate D S S R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Florida in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Florida, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Florida U.S. House Ballot-qualified party 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy $10,440 6/12/2026 Source
Florida U.S. House Unaffiliated 1% of the registered voters in the geographical area of candidacy $6,960 6/12/2026 Source

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Florida Senate, "Fla. Stat. § 101.021," accessed November 26, 2025
  2. ↑ The Florida Senate, "Fla. Stat. § 97.055," accessed November 26, 2025
  3. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025


Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Ashley Moody (R)
Rick Scott (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Neal Dunn (R)
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Anna Luna (R)
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
Republican Party (22)
Democratic Party (8)


Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Florida%27s_17th_Congressional_District_election,_2026_(August_18_Democratic_primary)&oldid=10990438"