All U.S. House districts, including the 23rd Congressional District of Florida, held elections in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. The primary was scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 17, 2022.

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2022 (August 23 Democratic primary)
Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2022 (August 23 Republican primary)

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 23

Jared Evan Moskowitz defeated Joe Budd, Christine Scott, and Mark Napier in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 23 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jared Evan Moskowitz (D)	51.6	143,951
	Joe Budd (R)	46.8	130,681
	Christine Scott (No Party Affiliation)	1.1	3,079
	Mark Napier (No Party Affiliation)	0.5	1,338

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 279,049
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23 on August 23, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jared Evan Moskowitz	61.1	38,822
	Ben Sorensen	20.5	13,012
	Hava Holzhauer	8.3	5,276
	Allen Ellison	6.2	3,960
	W. Michael Trout	2.2	1,390
	Michaelangelo Hamilton	1.7	1,064

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,524
= 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.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23 on August 23, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Joe Budd	37.6	12,592
	James Pruden	22.1	7,399
	Darlene Cerezo Swaffar	11.6	3,872
	Christy McLaughlin	11.4	3,832
	Steve Chess	8.5	2,840
	Ira Weinstein	6.9	2,297
	Myles Perrone	1.9	639

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,471
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Jeff Olson (R)
Saad Suleman (R)

Voting information

See also: Voting in Florida

Election information in Florida: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Oct. 11, 2022
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11, 2022
Online: Oct. 11, 2022

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

N/A

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

In-person: Oct. 29, 2022
By mail: Received by Oct. 29, 2022
Online: N/A

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

In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 29, 2022 to Nov. 5, 2022

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

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

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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?

Joe Budd (R)

America is the greatest nation to ever exist. It was founded by courageous individuals with a sense of duty and honor. Men and women who valued family, faith, and freedom. These core values must be embraced again. We must have the courage to acknowledge where we are failing and be resolved to correct the course of our destiny. Strong families create a stable environment for our children to become productive members of society leading to strong communities. Faith instills a set of values leading to mutual respect and a love for thy neighbor. Freedom allows all of us the opportunity to pursue our dreams without the burden of excessive taxes and regulations. America First is American Exceptionalism. It’s who we are.

High gas prices are the result of Democrat policies period. As long as Democrats are in control gas prices will remain high. Their belief that Climate Change is the greatest threat to humanity is the reason why they WANT high gas prices. These high gas prices are directly related to and needed for you to pay for their green new deal initiative. High gas prices hit those who can least afford it the most. I vow to make lowering gas prices one of my top priorities! Putting the U.S. back on a road to energy independence will solve this problem as well as reduce the runaway inflation which is hurting the economy and raising prices on everything from food to housing.

I believe the path to education is the parents’ choice and I will work to keep it that way. Click here for a Florida School Choice Guide . According to the FPEA, “There is no right way to educate.” Every child is different and nobody loves a child more than his or her own parent. Now, more than ever, schools are not educating but indoctrinating. Recently, Gov. DeSantis signed a bill (HB 1557) prohibiting schools from teaching inappropriate material to our younger students. Most of the time this was happening without parental knowledge or consent. No more. I’m committed to protecting our kids: Securing schools and upholding freedom for parents to choose the appropriate pathway to education for their families. I stand with The Heritage Fo

Jared Evan Moskowitz (D)

I have been endorsed by over 100 Democratic elected officials, unions, and organizations.

After the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, I championed the most comprehensive gun violence prevention, mental health, and school safety policy passed in Florida's history.

During the pandemic, I was in charge of procuring PPE for our frontline workers, setting up testing sites, and distributing the vaccine across Florida.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Inflation is an existential threat to homelessness that destabilizes the well-being of families, due to the negligence of our policymakers. No one should feel discarded and forgotten as low hanging fruit because politicians are focused on financial and real estate special interest groups funding them. Low-income families, the disabled, retirees and veterans living in poverty are hardest hit by inflation impacting life sustaining necessities. Surges in property rent and condo maintenance fees have increased between 20% nationwide to as much as 53% in Miami in 2021. I support limiting the annual amount rent and fees can be raised. Price gouging laws need enforced, more affordable housing made available and effective subsidies for landlords.

Statistics show crime dropped in Florida alone by 14%, but murders increased by 2.3% in 2020. Advocates for Gun Control blame Florida's gun laws instead. The root problem is that a lack of morals and values are not being taught in our schools, let alone the family home. Our kids need to understand what Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Respect, Integrity, Personal Courage, Selfless Service, Responsibility and Accountability means. More judicial reform and accountability is needed, in addition to judicial review boards. Yes--more law enforcement training is in order. I support the 2nd Amendment, law enforcement, firearms defensive training and production of public-police safety interaction vignettes as teaching points for public broadcasting.

Pandemic hardships have affected most Americans, but the impact of poverty has never been felt more than among the ethnic and LGBT-Q communities. In 2019, poverty among the LGBT-Q communities was estimated to be 21.6%. As of 2022, in Florida District 22, more action is needed to address poverty that affects the Black (18%), Hispanic (13%), Whites (9%), Jewish (est2%) and LGBT-Q communities. Poverty encourages drug use, suicides, health issues, abuses and crime. No one should be deprived of their self-esteem or self-worth because career politicians are playing "Slap and Tickle" or "Peekaboo" politics. I support incentives to industries that promote "Earn while you Learn" programs targeting the impoverished and interim social services.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Trade: It needs to be reciprocal and with our allies. We should not support countries that violate human rights or steal our Intellectual Property. We must put the lives of all humans and our citizens first.

Gun Rights: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." We do not want to be in situation such as that in Venezuela or Hong Kong. Guns in the hands of the people is essential.

Monopolistic Tech Companies: Once they are traded on Wall Street, these corporations (Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, etc) are no longer private companies. The fact that they are traded publicly makes them public companies. They are bound by the rules of our country, yet they are in ways that harm our financial and economic structure and continually violate our laws and constitution. Monopolies are illegal. We must protect innovation, creativity, the US economy, free enterprise, small businesses and entrepreneurs, and the structural foundations of business and innovation that make this country great.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Joe Budd (R)

My Dad was a policeman. As a 7-yr. old boy I can remember standing at the top of the steps watching my dad leave for work dressed in his full riot gear. I can remember the fear I felt wondering if I would ever see him again. Those fears are a daily struggle for the loved ones of anyone who puts on a uniform. I’ve often said, “Society cannot pay enough for what is earned by an honest police officer”.

Liberal cities which have gone down the road of wokeness by defunding police and instituting criminal justice reforms quickly releasing violent criminals back on the streets are reaping the chaos of a substantial rise in crime.

I will always have the backs of the men and women who wear a uniform. It’s one of my priorities. It’s personal.

I've always seen myself as a peacemaker, not a peacekeeper. A peacekeeper just sweeps things under the rug to fester for another day. A peacemaker gets to the bottom of an issue and works it out. The relationship between Black Americans and the Republican Party should be better. We share the same values; we desire the same economic opportunities. Our hopes and dreams are identical. I'd like to bridge the failures of the Republican Party in building a true cohesive coalition of mutual respect. I was born in the projects, grew up in a minority neighborhood in the southside of Easton, PA where I played sandlot football with Larry Holmes. My sister is married to a black man. Healing this relationship is important to me.

Jared Evan Moskowitz (D)

Gun violence prevention is personal to me because of the shooting at my alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It’s a scar on our community and like our neighbors, my wife and I feel the constant fear that our children are at risk. In America, I believe we should be able to make parents a simple promise: when you drop your kids off at school, you get to pick them up alive. Our community deserves that peace of mind. I championed the Florida gun violence prevention law after the Parkland school shooting, and I want to build on the recently passed federal bill by banning assault weapons.

The most important issue affecting this congressional district and the entire country are threats against our democracy. If we cannot protect longstanding democratic institutions and stop attempts to undermine the rule of law, it will be impossible to affect change on other priorities. Many of the attacks on our rights (abortion rights, LGBTQ+ equality, etc.) fall under this umbrella since rollbacks are only possible due to the undemocratic theft of Supreme Court seats.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Drawing from my life experiences of homelessness and careers, Americans have entrusted their security to our government. Political partisanship, in addition to "The Wall" between the Intelligence Community and Law Enforcement have jeopardized our freedoms. The CV-19 pandemic alone demonstrated how far one party will go to weaponize a virus for political control and over our everyday lives. I would reconstruct that wall again. I would pursue more protections for Whistleblowers and prohibit efforts by our own government to unwittingly collect information--even DNA via heritage test kits or facial recognition, unless incarcerated or consent.

I already addressed a few noteworthy policies in the "Key Messages" of my questionnaire, so I will try not to repeat myself. I want to “flat line” the fluctuating impact and reliance on tourism by promoting careers and tradecraft targeting the impoverished for a better quality of life. I want to promote better health care and living conditions for the poor. No Veteran should be forced to travel one hour for medical care.

I support reeling in "Social Media" for suppressing 1st Amendment Rights. I support securing our borders and deterring illegal immigration, but those who have made strides to become citizens should not be deported. I support fighting for the rights of the Black, Hispanic, LGBT-Q and Jewish communities as well. I want to fight for the impoverished, the homeless, people w/HIV and Veterans left discarded and forgotten

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Abortion: I believe in a woman's right to choose. It just needs to be done in the first trimester. Killing babies is not a viable or necessary option. With the advent of cheap pregnancy tests, the day after pill and contraceptive options, there is no reason we cannot protect both women rights and that of the unborn child.

Wall Street: Any company trading on Wall Street needs to offer the same full disclosure as American companies. If a company refuses to open its books then the SEC should not allow such a company to trade in the US markets. We must protect the integrity of our financial markets.

Education: Knowledge is power. We must focus on a solid education for each citizen.

Off-Shore Drilling: I am against it.

Wind and Solar: Should become an integral energy source allowing homeowners to go off-grid to protect against overloading the system and decreasing personal reliance upon electrical grids. The goal is to increase personal freedom and protection.

Health Care: It needs to benefit citizens over corporations and big business.

Opioid Crisis: We must continue to fix this devastating problem that has gripped so many through both street drugs and big pharma.

Fentanyl: If a country is targeting Americans with Fentanyl, that country has pitted itself against our country and our people. We must not support the economy of any country set out to destroy ours.

Visas for Tech Workers: The visa system has been abused. We need to hire Americans.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

First...my father, mother, and oldest brother who are all deceased..."Loved and Never Forgotten."

I do not pretend to know all the exact biographical details, but from a political and civil rights perspective John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Shirley Chisholm. These folks represented the best in mankind in leadership, sacrifice and selfless service. It takes only "ONE" to be a Force Multiplier and these folks did exactly that. Martin Luther King led the movement in civil rights and non-violent protests. He brought national and international attention to the civil rights cause.

Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman to win a seat as a U.S House of Representative serving seven terms. She facilitated expanding food and nutrition programs for the poor and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus that I pledge to seek membership to represent the Black constituents of my district, if elected. I particularly loved her campaign motto of Unbought and Unbossed.

John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan could deliver moving and emotional speeches that captured your heart. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" inspired my interests later in joining the Army and CIA.

But it is Ronald Reagan who as President who could deliver a speech the best as President. As an actor, I remember most for his role in "Death Valley Days" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3BycINr-vM) as an attorney who was taking legal action against a heartless neighbor who shot an orphaned kid's dog to death. This was particularly touching to me when I was homeless on the streets for 5 years. My small dog (Sheila) who was 1 year old at the time joined me on the streets. She never left my side. She did not judge me, nor did she cast the stone of malice like others. She simply gave me unconditional love and the will to continue to live and persevere. She is now 13 years old and very much part of my campaign.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

I look up to Trump. He plows forward no matter the criticism. He is not afraid to take a stand and to do what is right and best for the United States. He takes very unfavorable positions which most people would not have the backbone to take. He cares about Americans first.

Our country had been losing itself and politicians were simply saying that was the way it would be...until Trump. His choices are sound and fearless. I would like to follow after his example because we need true Americans who are willing to fight for the health of our country and our people.

I like that he tweets. He needed a way to get his message to the people and he found one. If the media was not so corrupt, he would not have been forced to find an alternative. His approach was innovative and is effective. I respect that he found a solution. It is not a popularity contest. It is a job of running the country for the American people.

He consistently remembers why he is in office. I respect that he addressed corruption issues regarding Biden's son and the abuse of Biden for using his office for personal gain instead of for the betterment of our citizens. You must investigate, even if the person who is corrupt is running for President, not because he is running. The two scenarios are different.

The last thing we need is a President who sells our country out. Trump had an obligation to the people to look into the matter. I simply cannot understand how the Democratic Party could possible refuse to consider Biden's proven actions acceptable. It makes me wonder where Pelosi's $56M came from?

I appreciate that Trump is willing to fight for our country. I would like to follow that example and I believe that all true Americans feel the same way. We're Americans. We know how to fight and this is a challenge we are up for...because our country is worth it!

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

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

The movie "Rambo" with Sylvester Stallone: "I am tired of going to war for a country that did not seem to want me."

Ironically years later, the Commanding General at Fort Knox, Kentucky sent an email to me saying: "When your country called, you answered and were there. Now your country needs you again." My response back was not flattering.

I was deeply hurt by the CIA retaliation because I reported the mishandling of an investigation, in concert with the U.S. Army Medical Honorable Discharged. Combined, both experiences led me to the streets. Where my unit once respected my rank and position by picking me up at the airport and having a room for my stay at the base 30 miles away. They now had me to thumb a ride and walk to the base only to be forced to sleep on a park bench till the next morning. I was not just bankrupt financially, but physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. My self-esteem and self-worth were nonexistent. I felt my epitaph at that point should read.....

"For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country...

Stigmatized and Slandered Betrayed and Dishonored Impoverished and Homeless Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation."

(COMMENT: All because I was a Whistleblower for reporting Child Pornography and was medically diagnosed with a career ending illness.)

However, I know it was not my country that was not at fault, but the actions of a few who abused their title, positions, authorities and stigma. The experience of being homeless on the streets has given me an experience that I hope I can take to Washington if elected and be a strong advocate for those on the low end of society.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

The US Constitution

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

Joe Budd (R)

Honesty and core principles.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage, Responsibility and Accountability are the characteristics and principles that are most important for an elected official. Having to "eat crow" and own up to a mistake is a necessity, though not desirable when you find out you are in the wrong. I lived by these rules for most of my life, but I also have some key teaching points I pass along to the younger generation in a world where misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and psychological warfare are being waged against the American people from certain parties. These teaching points include:

-Actions speak louder than words.

-Believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear until you verify the legitimacy of information.

-Always consider the source of the information and its credibility.

-You are a reflection of the company you keep and so are the people you are looking to vote for or even hang around with or know.

-For every pointed finger blaming someone or something for a problem, you have three fingers pointing back at you. So, what did you do to exacerbate the problem?

-Devil is always in the details, so you can "Dream the Dream" all you want.

-A pinch full of convincing lies is better than a handful of truths to manipulate and persuade the masses on a policy affecting them. I know former President Bill Clinton used this technique often, but I would pledge not to employ this technique as it is dishonest. I used it in my operations overseas, yes, but not toward the free world.

-In life you can count on one hand the number of real friends you have in life, not the 3,000 that claim to be your friends on Facebook. So, keep your true friends close and your enemies closer.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Integrity. Loyalty to the United States and her citizens. Freedom. Capitalism. Honesty. Respect for the American way of life and American culture. The pursuit of happiness. Liberty. Justice.

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

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

My background with the CIA and U.S. Army gives me a competitive advantage over most members of Congress to include Senator Marco Rubio and Congresswoman Val Demmings when it comes to truly understanding the mechanics of both of these entities. If elected, I would be one of the very few members to have actually completed a full scope investigation with lifestyle polygraph to obtain a Top Secret clearance where the typical member of Congress is given their clearances by the nature of their duties.

My values and life experiences in dealing with interracial relationships and discrimination that I have been personally exposed to with my significant others, along with my abuse of civil rights by law enforcement gives me once again insight into how different ethnic groups feel towards being stigmatized. I do not support defunding the police, but more training is in order My experience with the Deaf and People with Disability Program at CIA, let alone my oldest brother who had severe cerebral palsy (who was like a 3 day old baby for 26 years), my mother who lost her hearing, and my own personal disabilities, once again gives me personal trials and tribulations into how families with special needs may need better health care coverage.

Persevering and surviving chronic homelessness for 5 years on the street, to include dabbling in drug use the beginning the fourth year was a major challenge in life. I began using the drug to escape the reality of purgatory I was condemned to, before I pulled myself off the drug by the beginning of my 5th year of homelessness. I would also draw upon my experiences of those exploited in the sex industry. After being forced into the streets the only work I could find was strip dancing.

It was not drugs, alcohol, gambling or being a thief that put me on the streets. It was the retaliation I experienced as a Whistleblower. I would once again draw upon these experiences in plugging the gaps where needed through legislation.My background with the CIA and U.S. Army gives me a competitive advantage over most members of Congress to include Senator Marco Rubio and Congresswoman Val Demings (who set on the two Intelligence Committees) when it comes to truly understanding the mechanics of both the CIA and the Armed Forces. If elected, I would be one of the very few members to have actually completed a full scope investigation with lifestyle polygraph covering 20 years to obtain a Top Secret clearance. Typically, members of Congress are given their clearances by the nature of their position.

My values and personal life experiences will contribute to making better legislative products in addressing issues that others simply lack the exposure to. For example, my personal experiences with:

--Interracial relationships and discrimination.

--The Deaf and People with Disability Program at CIA.

--My oldest brother who had severe cerebral palsy.

--My mother who lost her hearing, due to a small stroke.

--My perseverance over chronic homelessness for 5 years.

--Exposure to a side of poverty that is often accepted and overlooked--drug use and the art of ecdysiast. About 30% of the misfortunate were homeless.

--My experience with drugs that I myself avoided for 4 years after being on the streets before succumbing to its effectiveness in escaping my reality.

--My success in pulling myself off the drug by the 5th year on the streets.

My street experiences did not define me as a person, nor were they an example of who I was, but what I became to survive. Simply put, my life experiences gives me better insight into plugging the legislative gaps--where--needed because I lived it. Nonetheless, I do not have to the smartest person in the room. I just need to be surrounded by smart people and know who I address to obtain pertinent information as it pertains to the legislation that is being formulated.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

I care deeply about this country. I am loyal to my country and the people of it. I have a strong understand of the problems we face relating to globalism, international trade, tech and monopolies.

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

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

My core responsibilities are to my constituents who I represent. I would be projecting my constituents' overall interests through legislation (regulatory, restrictive, or facilitating) and representation on committees and caucuses such as LGBT-Q, African American, Jewish, Homelessness, Military Veterans, National Guard and Reserves, Military Transition, and Native Americans to name but a few.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

To make and pass federal laws that improve the lives of Americans.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I want to be known as a champion for the impoverished, the homeless, the disable, the elderly and the Veterans who have been discarded and forgotten. I want the Black, Hispanic, Jewish and GLBT-Q communities to know someone had their back and best interests at heart. I want to also be known for holding government agencies and departments accountable for waste, fraud and abuse. I would also like to have the legacy of attacking the student loans issue that is crushing our young adults as they start their careers. I just think Americans need to address the high costs of an education.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Joe Budd (R)

Richard Nixon resigning. I was 11.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I can still remember Vietnam between the ages of 5 and 10, when the U.S. finally withdrew. However, it was the launching of NASA's Space Shuttles that was first launched in 1981, when I was about 16 that I remember most. I saw it first-hand, while visiting my older brother. Seeing that plume of smoke and thunder of its engines was awesome. I was saddened, like most Americans, to see in horror the destruction of two shuttles in 1986 and again in 2003. The Challenger and Columbia were like airborne national monuments and most believed indestructible. I was in college the first time to see the first shuttle's destruction. Years later, I would be in the Operations Center of my military unit where I had been mobilized for two years following the attacks of 9/11 to see once again the tragedy unfold. I have since wanted to obtain an Industrial Engineering degree with a focus on Aeronautics, but when I tried to reinvent myself--while on the streets by pursuing a degree--to get off the streets it was just too overwhelming to begin the first month homeless, hungry and not in the right mindset to pursue an education. I still have it as a goal.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Jimmy Carter

Iran Hostage Crisis.

Age 12.

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

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I worked at Burger King for one week, after having put myself through college with guaranteed student loans during the first two years and was malnourished. I tried selling blood, but my protein level was so low that they could no longer use me. So, I sought a job at the burger joint. After being around all that food and being malnourished, I could no longer stand it. I resigned as a result. Sounds foolish, but when your belly button is rubbing against your spine to the point that it hurts, it is just best not to be teased. I can remember at the end of the second year my dorm roommate and I shared a large meal together from whatever we could scrape up. It was good while it lasted, but I heaved my guts up an hour later as my system could not handle it. That is what encouraged me to join the U.S. Army National Guard to help offset the student loans I was taking out to pay for college. The lack of distraction from hunger enabled me to successfully focus on my studies that led to my graduation. This is why I want to support school meals for impoverished and homeless students from being distracted by hunger when they need to be 100% focused on their education.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Age 12.

Sous chef. Summer vacation.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Any book from Louis L'Amour. His books gave me peace and enjoyment from how it was in the old days.

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

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Colonel Robert Hogan of Hogan's Heroes. This comical TV show from the mid-60s to early 70s seen on METV currently was about prisoners of war in a WWII POW German concentration camp who carried out sabotages and conducted psychological warfare operations. This show gave me inspiration in operations overseas.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I have two songs. Jim Nabors who sang ....."The Impossible Dream" and Michael Jackson's song...."Man in the Mirror."

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Mr. Bojangles

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Restoring my honor and setting the record straight has been a struggle for the last 12 plus years. Despite contesting the CIA's wrongful termination in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2021, they have never responded. Efforts to reach out to Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Ted Deutch yielded negative results. In addition, the PTSD and severe depression I experienced from the wrongful retaliation and the medical discharge from the Army was a terrible blow. I would have gladly died on the battlefield with honor than to have died those 5 years--daily--on the streets. I conquered the streets, and I am ready to take the battle to Washington for the people.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Joe Budd (R)

It has the ability to reinforce American values, American exceptionalism and uphold freedom and liberty for every man, woman and child! If it will be responsible.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Making and passing laws is what makes the U.S. House of Representatives unique. A piece of legislation from one legislator in a small geographic area can have an overarching impact across the nation. Such legislation can benefit others, where once before it was not even conceived, recognized or even considered.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

The House has the ability to make and pass federal laws. A Republican majority has the ability to ensure we can continue to do what is best for our country. It shouldn't be that way, but the Democrats have lost their way and all sense of reality. The Democrats always believed in border protection until Trump came into office. Now, they threw their own party out to dry. At some point, both parties will again care about making and passing laws that protect and help Americans. Currently, the Democrats do not appear to be so inclined. It's a shame. This means that the Republican party must step up to ensure our country is protected.

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

Joe Budd (R)

No. Men and woman from all walks of life can contribute, serve, then return to their businesses or careers. We don't need lifetime so called public servants.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

It does help, but not a requirement. My experience with the CIA and the U.S. Army gives me greater insight into operations, capabilities and conduct that I can leverage when dealing with such organizations making it harder for them to "Blow Smoke" during a hearing. Someone who does not have a government background brings their own unique experiences to the table and can still contribute from their perspective. You play off of each other's strengths and weaknesses. As an example, I was training National Guard troops for deployment to Iraq in 2003. The Active-Duty soldiers always had contempt for the National Guard. I told them to not take the National Guard at perceived face value. They may be "civilian soldiers," but in their civilian careers they were Lawyers, Chemical Engineers and Mechanics. That was a valuable and powerful teaching point.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

It depends on the representative. Trump has no political experience and it has served him well. He's able to move forward more directly because he's not tied down by political strings. The lack of familiarity within the system has allowed him to think differently which has benefited the American people, as well as other countries. HIs big business background has been beneficial. My background is small business. We need people to stand up for the little guy, someone who understands how small businesses work both online and off; someone who understands that the health of our country is based on not just the survival of the middle class but its prosperity. The middle class and innovation cannot thrive without small businesses. They are the foundation of our economic structure and foundation.

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

Joe Budd (R)

Security issues which range from regaining our dominance in the manufacturing space as we are too dependent on essential goods from foreign nations especially China. Another security issue is being dependent on foreign oil. We have been in the past and have the ability to be energy independent again. The Democrats think climate change is our greatest threat and this belief is why we now have $5 a gallon gas prices.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I believe the greatest challenges will impact our country Politically, Economically and Socially.

Politically: The U.S. will always have the problems with drug cartels, proliferation of WMD technologies, terrorism, and cyber-at. Russia's interest in expansion will prove to serve as a blueprint of lessons learned for China. A coalition of aggressive nations militarily, as well as trading partners will be able to insulate against effective western sanctions. North Korea and Iraq will continue efforts to expand their nuclear capabilities. The U.S. Armed Forces will be weakened internally, due to shortages of re-enlistments as a result of the anti-military atmosphere that exists in the current administration. Removing the Armed Forces' flags from the Oval Office on the first day was just one of many slaps in the face to our soldiers. Efforts by the U.S. Intelligence Community and Law Enforcement to continue collecting against Americans will further weaken our democracy. The political demographics from the massive influx of millions of illegal aliens will impact future elections favoring the Democrat Party, if amnesty is granted and accompanied with social welfare services that task U.S. taxpayers.

Economically: Our national debt of $30 trillion and its impact on our economy is going to be a challenge. The US GDP is $6 trillion short of its GDP. China will overtake the U.S. in GDP because of unfair trade practices and past generosity of technologies given to China from the Free World's rush to take advantage of cheap labor for the last 3 decades. Lavish spending on social programs and inflation will inevitably draw the U.S. into another recession. The U.S. needs to tap its oil reserves extensively to lower energy costs and offset the rise in cost of living that has soared nearly $400 a month.

Social: Under the current administration, the U.S. can expect an increase in homelessness and crime as productivity decreases due to drug use becoming more acceptable.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Ridding ourselves of the incessant socialist rhetoric that non-Americans have implemented into our system through tech devices, media and education.

We are not a socialist country. Yet, many parents were not aware that outside influences were teaching their children to be socialists.

Some of our children believed the lies about capitalism (Capitalism is not Greed. It is prosperity) and that American is bad. We are already in the process of fixing the problem and it should be back to normal within the next decade.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Joe Budd (R)

I would like to be on financial service related committees.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I know I would be a strong candidate for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Homeland Security, Armed Forces and even the Veterans Affairs committees.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

House Judicial Committee

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee

House Intelligence Committee

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

House Foreign Affairs Committee

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

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I actually think there should be a three-year term limit per election cycle not to exceed a total of 12 years, but that would require an amendment. I just feel that by the time you start your two-year term, you find yourself a year and half later having to focus on running again which is a distraction from your purpose of being there.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Of course, I do. I'm a Constitutionalist. I believe in the Constitution. It is the fundamental document by which our country is governed.

I'm guessing that this tech company, Ballotpedia, is not familiar with the US Constitution or the question would not have been asked unless you're part of the problematic people attempting a coup against the United States of American. I'd like to remind you that attempting to overthrow the US government is a treasonous offense.

If Ballotpedia is not American-Owned, I'm not entirely sure it has the right to have this site since it could be construed as foreign interference with US political elections.

In case you haven't read the relevant US Constitution as it relates to US representatives, it is as follows:

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Joe Budd (R)

I favor term limits.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I support term limits. I believe 12 years of total service should be the limit for any member of the House or Senate. I do not believe they should collect a pension, unless they have a total service of 20 years between both wings of Congress and/or the Office of the President. New blood and experiences need to be injected into Congress. This prevents stale politicians who have become so far removed from the people who do not have the leverage or financial influence to bend the politician's ear. I also believe the longer a politician remains in office the more they participate in "Slap and Tickle" or "Peekaboo" politics than doing their job of representing the people.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

Shirley Chisholm's work for the poor and disadvantaged I thought was admirable. The major reason I am pursuing the office is to be a strong advocate for the discarded and forgotten. Low hanging fruit is often ignored by well to do and millionaires who have never seen poverty except from a photo opportunity at a soup kitchen during election time. I am unbought, unbiased, and unbossed myself. Selfless service and sacrifice were what I did that landed me chronically homeless on the streets for 5 years. I know what racism is about having experienced it in 1985, while in college. My first girlfriend I had is Black. The ROTC unit we were enrolled together did not like our interracial relationship and successfully ran her out of the program and college. I experienced it again when I married my former wife in 1992. She too is Black and we engaged in racism on several occasions. I know what it is like to be stigmatized too because of an illness. The U.S. Army forced me to medically retire from the armed forces because of it, despite the fact the illness could be treated. I was diagnosed with HIV. That is why I would be a good advocate for the LGBT-Q and heterosexual communities living with HIV and AHF.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

No. I'm good with being my own person.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I have an acquaintance who is Black that was incarcerated for defending his mother. He was a "Crack Baby" and was abandoned by his mother but raised by his grandparents. At the age of 17, his grandfather was beating the daylights out of his mother, and he injected himself to protect her. The grandfather began beating him severely. He managed to lay his hands on a pistol and shot his grandfather to death. He was incarcerated for 18 years. I felt his sentence was too harsh for someone defending himself. Yes, it was awful, but that is why I feel a Judicial Review Board needs to be established to reassess some decisions handed down by judges that just seem disconnected. The same can be said about prosecutors who are soft on crime these days. Not all cases need reviewing, but the process needs to be expedited.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

Last election cycle, I spoke with over 26K people in my district one-on-one. I repeatedly heard how they (Republicans) were being prevented from being poll watchers. That the Supervisor of Elections in Broward County wouldn't get back to them and wouldn't take their calls. I also heard a lot of Dems and NPAs were trying to switch to the Republican party but the SOE was blocking them by ignoring their requests. It gave a false total of Dems, which one wonders was used for purposes of election fraud. A lot of people had been inactivated who were registered voters. I heard these same problems over-and-over again. I also experienced it myself. After at least three times of trying to update my voter information, I was in the SOE office speaking with one of employees about the problems so many in the district were having being able to get registered, change their registrations and becoming poll watchers/workers. I explained that, I too, was having the exact same problem. It was shortly after that that my info was finally updated. I'm guessing my info wouldn't have been updated if I wasn't a candidate. People are not as divided at tech and the media would have one think. Most are in the middle. Most have the same values as I do...because we're Americans.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

This joke sums up my career in the CIA and the U.S. Army. It is about a Bear and Rabbit. The Bear represents the CIA and the Army and the Rabbit represents me.

As the story goes a Bear and a Rabbit are pooping in the woods.

The Bear leans over to the Rabbit and says: " Hey Rabbit! Do you have trouble with poop sticking to your fur?"

Stunned and bewildered by such a question the Rabbit hesitantly and shyly responds: "Why no Bear!"

So the Bear wipes his butt with the Rabbit!

The moral of the story is don't be a Rabbit, but be a Porcupine instead.

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

Joe Budd (R)

It's always desirable as long as we're doing what's best for the majority of our citizens.

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

It is a necessity to compromise when acting on behalf of the greater good, particularly when you are dealing with 434 other Representatives. Standing your ground for the benefit of the people carries more responsibility and impact than "Party" lines, but sometimes you are forced to compromise because we do not live in a fictional perfect world. I believe our system of government is the best. Though it may not and will not work perfectly, it does offer the best chance for freedom. Hence, it is a necessity to compromise, in order to get the job done than rather be a lame duck.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Mark Napier (No Affiliation)

I would be using this role to influence, change and make accountable abuses and behaviors by government agencies and departments who waste taxpayer money. It has been estimated that $19 billion dollars was lost to waste, fraud and abuses over the years in Afghanistan. When I conducted Counterterrorism Operations or even daily routine activities here or abroad, I always was diligent to be frugal and tried to avoid not wasting the taxpayers' money. I witnessed on many occasions where money was spent frivolously by the CIA and U.S. Army. It's like a family member who is generous at spending your hard-earned money. I tried to get more bang for the buck. I would take strides to hold our government agencies and departments' feet to the fire on accountability.

Christine Scott (No Affiliation)

It's an essential aspect of the position. It's not something that a House Rep has a choice to set as a low priority. One of the most basic ways to increase revenue is by making tech companies pay taxes. That's a bill I would be happy to write, co-write or support. I'm fine with the recently reduced tax rate of 21% as long as any and all corporate welfare is eliminated. All too often the tax burden is placed on the people while corporations are spared from paying their fair share. That needs to end. It will greatly increase revenue.

I believe the Central bank needs to be dismantled. The US pays 2% on every dollar borrowed from the foreign and elite owned Central Bank. Most Americans thought the central back was US-owned. It was until 1914. We need to bring the Central Bank back into the Treasury where the US is not paying 2% on every dollar borrowed. That is a debt trap no one can ever get out of. By removing that debt trap, US revenue will increase.

The US government needs to stop participating in projects like the Paris Climate Accord which does nothing for the climate but rather funnels the billions of taxpayers dollars into the pockets of corrupt politicians and the elites. I care very much about the environment, but funding fake projects will never benefit or protect our environment. We also need to stop supporting and funding WHO, WTO and all the others that take advantage of our countries wealth while we, at home, as suffering heavy consequences in all aspects of life as a result. This change would greatly increase our revenue.

The US House needs to audit the FBI, CIA, Pentagon and every other government, NGO and contractor we give money to. The day before the Trade Towers fell, there was a report that came out that showed the Pentagon could not account for $23T. That's an awful lot of money...revenue.

Basically, the US House must do it's job by auditing and ensure money is coming and going in a responsible manner.

Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.^[1] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.^[2] Click here to view the reporting schedule for candidates for U.S. Congress in 2022.

U.S. Congress campaign reporting schedule, 2022
Report	Close of books	Filing deadline
Year-end 2021	12/31/2021	1/31/2022
April quarterly	3/31/2022	4/15/2022
July quarterly	6/30/2022	7/15/2022
October quarterly	9/30/2022	10/15/2022
Pre-general	10/19/2022	10/27/2022
Post-general	11/28/2022	12/08/2022
Year-end 2022	12/31/2022	1/31/2023

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Allen Ellison	Democratic Party	$15,095	$13,341	$1,754	As of December 31, 2022
Michaelangelo Hamilton	Democratic Party	$10,980	$10,980	$0	As of October 15, 2022
Hava Holzhauer	Democratic Party	$188,327	$116,715	$4,998	As of October 19, 2022
Jared Evan Moskowitz	Democratic Party	$1,752,697	$1,670,074	$82,624	As of December 31, 2022
Ben Sorensen	Democratic Party	$710,414	$824,157	$71,501	As of November 13, 2022
W. Michael Trout	Democratic Party	$13,638	$4,264	$9,374	As of December 31, 2022
Joe Budd	Republican Party	$171,384	$171,127	$257	As of December 31, 2022
Darlene Cerezo Swaffar	Republican Party	$275,298	$271,747	$0	As of October 4, 2022
Steve Chess	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Christy McLaughlin	Republican Party	$28,076	$25,999	$2,077	As of December 31, 2022
Myles Perrone	Republican Party	$12,933	$12,601	$284	As of September 30, 2022
James Pruden	Republican Party	$230,559	$230,559	$0	As of December 31, 2022
Ira Weinstein	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Mark Napier	No Party Affiliation	$28,536	$28,536	$0	As of December 31, 2022
Christine Scott	No Party Affiliation	$102,751	$102,745	$6	As of November 28, 2022
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2022. 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. * Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.^[3]
Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.^[4]^[5]^[6]

Race ratings: Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2022
Race tracker	Race ratings
	November 8, 2022	November 1, 2022	October 25, 2022	October 18, 2022
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Likely Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access requirements

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Florida in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Florida, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Florida	U.S. House	Ballot-qualified party	2,568^[7]	$10,440.00	6/17/2022	Source
Florida	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	2,568^[8]	$6,960.00	6/17/2022	Source

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 before and after redistricting.
Effect of redistricting - How districts in the state changed as a result of redistricting following the 2020 census.
Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2022 U.S. House elections in the state.
Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

District map

	2024 → ← 2020
Florida's 23rd Congressional District
	Democratic primary; Republican primary; General election
Election details
	Filing deadline: June 17, 2022
	Primary: August 23, 2022; General: November 8, 2022
How to vote
	Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Voting in Florida
Race ratings
	Cook Partisan Voter Index (2022): D+5; Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic; Inside Elections: Solid Democratic; Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
	U.S. Senate battlegrounds; U.S. House battlegrounds; Federal and state primary competitiveness; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
See also
	Florida's 23rd Congressional District; U.S. Senate • 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, 2022; U.S. Congress elections, 2022; U.S. Senate elections, 2022; U.S. House elections, 2022; Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House racesArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House racesFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House racesOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House racesTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House racesVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House racesSubmit

Below was the map in use at the time of the election, enacted as part of the 2020 redistricting cycle, compared to the map in place before the election.

Florida District 23
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Florida District 23
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Effect of redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Florida after the 2020 census

The table below details the results of the 2020 presidential election in each district at the time of the 2022 election and its political predecessor district.^[9] This data was compiled by Daily Kos Elections.^[10]

2020 presidential results by Congressional district, Florida
District	2022 district		Political predecessor district
District	Joe Biden	Donald Trump	Joe Biden	Donald Trump
Florida's 1st	33.0%	65.3%	32.4%	65.9%
Florida's 2nd	44.0%	55.0%	FL-02: 32.0% FL-05: 67.0%	FL-02: 62.7% FL-05: 36.2%
Florida's 3rd	42.4%	56.5%	42.8%	56.0%
Florida's 4th	46.0%	52.7%	FL-02: 32.0% FL-05: 67.0%	FL-02: 62.7% FL-05: 36.2%
Florida's 5th	41.5%	57.3%	38.9%	59.9%
Florida's 6th	37.7%	61.4%	40.8%	58.3%
Florida's 7th	46.7%	52.2%	54.6%	44.2%
Florida's 8th	40.6%	58.3%	40.6%	58.3%
Florida's 9th	58.2%	40.8%	53.0%	46.1%
Florida's 10th	65.3%	33.5%	62.0%	37.0%
Florida's 11th	44.1%	55.0%	33.8%	65.4%
Florida's 12th	35.1%	63.9%	41.0%	57.9%
Florida's 13th	46.1%	52.9%	51.5%	47.4%
Florida's 14th	59.0%	39.8%	57.2%	41.6%
Florida's 15th	47.9%	51.0%	---	---
Florida's 16th	45.1%	54.0%	45.5%	53.6%
Florida's 17th	41.6%	57.6%	35.9%	63.3%
Florida's 18th	38.1%	60.9%	45.2%	53.7%
Florida's 19th	39.1%	60.2%	39.6%	59.7%
Florida's 20th	75.9%	23.5%	77.3%	22.1%
Florida's 21st	45.0%	54.4%	45.5%	53.9%
Florida's 22nd	58.5%	40.9%	58.2%	41.2%
Florida's 23rd	56.3%	43.1%	57.1%	42.3%
Florida's 24th	74.3%	25.2%	75.4%	24.0%
Florida's 25th	59.7%	39.7%	58.3%	41.2%
Florida's 26th	40.6%	58.9%	38.2%	61.2%
Florida's 27th	49.6%	49.9%	51.3%	48.1%
Florida's 28th	46.5%	52.9%	46.9%	52.5%

Competitiveness

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2022

This section contains data on U.S. House primary election competitiveness in Florida.

Post-filing deadline analysis

The following analysis covers all U.S. House districts up for election in Florida in 2022. Information below was calculated on August 16, 2022, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time.

One hundred fifty-two candidates filed to run for Florida's 28 U.S. House districts, including 58 Democrats and 94 Republicans. That's 5.43 candidates per district, more than the 4.22 candidates per district in 2020 and the 3.86 in 2018.

This was the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census, which resulted in Florida gaining one U.S. House district. The 152 candidates who filed to run this year were a decade-high. One hundred fourteen candidates ran in 2020, 104 in 2018, 100 in 2016, 75 in 2014, and 89 in 2012.

A total of eight incumbents ran in districts different from the ones they represented before the election.

Two incumbents from different parties filed to run against each other in the 2nd district. Rep. Al Lawson (D), who represented the 5th district, filed to run against 2nd district incumbent Rep. Neal Dunn (R) in the general election.

Four incumbents did not run for re-election. Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who represented the 13th district, ran for governor, and Rep. Val Demings (D), who represented the 10th district, ran for the U.S. Senate. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D), who represented the 7th district, and Rep. Ted Deutch (D), who represented the 22nd district, retired.

Six seats were open, including Crist's, Demings', and Murphy's. The three remaining open seats were the 4th, the 15th, and the 23rd. Rep. John Rutherford (R), who represented the 4th district, ran in the 5th this year, and Rep. Scott Franklin (R), who represented the 15th district, ran in the 18th. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who represented the 23rd district, ran in the 25th. The six open seats this year were four more than in 2020, when two seats were open, and two more than in 2018, when four seats were open. Seven seats were open in 2016, and no seats were open in 2014.

Sixteen candidates—ten Democrats and six Republicans—ran to replace Demings in the 10th district, the most candidates who ran for a seat this year.

There were 38 contested primaries this year, a decade-high. That was nine more than in 2020, when there were 29 contested primaries, and seven more than in 2018, when there were 31 contested primaries. Fourteen of the contested primaries were Democratic primaries. That was four more than in 2020, when there were ten contested Democratic primaries, and five fewer than in 2018, when there were 19. Twenty-four of the contested primaries were Republican primaries. That number, a decade-high, was five more than in 2020, when there were 19 contested Republican primaries, and 12 more than in 2018, when there were 12.

There were 17 incumbents in contested primaries this year, also a decade-high. That number was seven more than in 2020, when ten incumbents faced contested primaries, and six more than in 2018, when 11 incumbents did. Six incumbents faced no primary challengers this year. Three seats—the 5th, the 6th, and the 18th districts—were guaranteed to Republicans because no Democrats filed. No seats were guaranteed to Democrats because no Republicans filed.

Presidential elections

Partisan Voter Index

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

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+5. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 5 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Florida's 23rd the 165th most Democratic district nationally.^[11]

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2020 presidential election would have been in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.

2020 presidential results in Florida's 23rd based on 2022 district lines
Joe Biden	Donald Trump
56.3%	43.1%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Florida, 2020

Florida presidential election results (1900-2020)

17 Democratic wins
14 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
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

Demographics

The table below details demographic data in Florida and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019.

Demographic Data for Florida
	Florida	United States
Population	18,801,310	308,745,538
Land area (sq mi)	53,651	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White	75.1%	72.5%
Black/African American	16.1%	12.7%
Asian	2.7%	5.5%
Native American	0.3%	0.8%
Pacific Islander	0.1%	0.2%
Other (single race)	3%	4.9%
Multiple	2.7%	3.3%
Hispanic/Latino	25.6%	18%
Education
High school graduation rate	88.2%	88%
College graduation rate	29.9%	32.1%
Income
Median household income	$55,660	$62,843
Persons below poverty level	14%	13.4%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

State party control

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Delaware's congressional delegation as of November 2022.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Delaware, November 2022
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	0	9	9
Republican	2	16	18
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	2	2
Total	2	27	29

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Florida's top four state executive offices as of November 2022.

State executive officials in Florida, November 2022
Office	Officeholder
Governor	Ron DeSantis
Lieutenant Governor	Jeanette Nuñez
Secretary of State	Cord Byrd
Attorney General	Ashley B. Moody

State legislature

The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Florida State Legislature as of November 2022.

Florida State Senate

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	12
	Republican Party	28
	Vacancies	0
Total		40

Florida House of Representatives

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	35
	Republican Party	84
	Vacancies	1
Total		120

Trifecta control

As of November 2022, Florida was a Republican trifecta, with majorities in both chambers of the state legislature and control of the governorship. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.

Florida Party Control: 1992-2022
One year of a Democratic trifecta • Twenty-three 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
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
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
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

District history

2020

Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Republican primary)

Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 23

Incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz defeated Carla Spalding, Jeff Olson, and D.B. Fugate in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 23 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)	58.2	221,239
	Carla Spalding (R)	41.8	158,874
	Jeff Olson (R) (Write-in)	0.0	46
	D.B. Fugate (R) (Write-in)	0.0	37

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 380,196
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz defeated Jen Perelman in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23 on August 18, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Debbie Wasserman Schultz	72.0	55,729
	Jen Perelman	28.0	21,631

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 77,360
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Carla Spalding defeated Michael Kroske in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23 on August 18, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Carla Spalding	51.3	12,751
	Michael Kroske	48.7	12,116

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,867
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

See also: Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 23

Incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz defeated Joe Kaufman, Tim Canova, and Don Endriss in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 23 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)	58.5	161,611
		Joe Kaufman (R)	36.0	99,446
		Tim Canova (No Party Affiliation)	5.0	13,697
	Submit photo	Don Endriss (No Party Affiliation)	0.6	1,612

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 276,366
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Stuart Reed (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Debbie Wasserman Schultz

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Joe Kaufman defeated Carlos Reyes and Carla Spalding in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23 on August 28, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Joe Kaufman	44.7	11,659
	Carlos Reyes	33.7	8,794
	Carla Spalding	21.6	5,627

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,080
= 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.

2016

See also: Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) defeated Joe Kaufman (R), Donald Endriss (I), and Lyle Milstein (I) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Wasserman Schultz defeated Tim Canova in the Democratic primary, while Kaufman defeated Martin Feigenbaum to win the Republican nomination. The primary elections took place on August 30, 2016.^[12]^[13]

**U.S. House, Florida District 23 General Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Debbie Wasserman Schultz Incumbent	56.7%	183,225
	Republican	Joe Kaufman	40.5%	130,818
	Independent	Donald Endriss	1.6%	5,180
	Independent	Lyle Milstein	1.2%	3,897
Total Votes				323,120
Source: Florida Division of Elections

**U.S. House, Florida District 23 Republican Primary, 2016**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Joe Kaufman	73.1%	13,412
Martin Feigenbaum	26.9%	4,948
Total Votes		18,360
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Florida Politcs' Mitch Perry wrote the Democratic primary between Schultz and Canova "one of the most closely watched congressional primaries in the nation."^[14] The race was viewed as a proxy for the ongoing presidential primary.^[15] Bernie Sanders (I) endorsed Canova, while Hillary Clinton (D) endorsed Schultz.^[16]^[17]

**U.S. House, Florida District 23 Democratic Primary, 2016**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Debbie Wasserman Schultz Incumbent	56.8%	28,809
Tim Canova	43.2%	21,907
Total Votes		50,716
Source: Florida Division of Elections

2014

See also: Florida's 23rd Congressional District elections, 2014

The 23rd Congressional District of Florida held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) defeated Joe Kaufman (R) in the general election.

**U.S. House, Florida District 23 General Election, 2014**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Debbie Wasserman Schultz Incumbent	62.7%	103,269
	Republican	Joe Kaufman	37.3%	61,519
Total Votes				164,788
Source: Florida Division of Elections

**U.S. House, Florida District 23 Republican Primary, 2014**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Joe Kaufman	62.6%	6,299
Juan Garcia	37.4%	3,764
Total Votes		10,063
Source: Florida Division of Elections

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
↑ Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
↑ Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.
↑ Political predecessor districts are determined primarily based on incumbents and where each chose to seek re-election.
↑ Daily Kos Elections, "Daily Kos Elections 2020 presidential results by congressional district (old CDs vs. new CDs)," accessed May 12, 2022
↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate Listing for 2016 General Election," accessed June 25, 2016
↑ Politico, " Florida House Races Results," August 30, 2016
↑ Florida Politics, "Debbie Wasserman Schultz handily defeats Tim Canova in CD 23," August 30, 2016
↑ NBC News, "Inside the Bernie Sanders Proxy War in Florida," April 14, 2016
↑ Politico, "Sanders backs DNC chair's primary opponent," May 21, 2016
↑ Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign website, "Hillary Clinton Statement on the Resignation of Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz," July 24, 2016

[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)

[1] Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.

[2] Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022

[3] Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.

[4] Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018

[5] Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018

[6] Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018

[7] Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.

[8] Petition signatures only required in lieu of a filing fee.

[9] Political predecessor districts are determined primarily based on incumbents and where each chose to seek re-election.

[10] Daily Kos Elections, "Daily Kos Elections 2020 presidential results by congressional district (old CDs vs. new CDs)," accessed May 12, 2022

[11] Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023

[list16-12] Florida Department of State, "Candidate Listing for 2016 General Election," accessed June 25, 2016

[primaryresults16-13] Politico, " Florida House Races Results," August 30, 2016

[14] Florida Politics, "Debbie Wasserman Schultz handily defeats Tim Canova in CD 23," August 30, 2016

[15] NBC News, "Inside the Bernie Sanders Proxy War in Florida," April 14, 2016

[16] Politico, "Sanders backs DNC chair's primary opponent," May 21, 2016

[17] Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign website, "Hillary Clinton Statement on the Resignation of Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz," July 24, 2016

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Florida	2022 primaries	2022 U.S. Congress elections

Florida congressional delegation Voting in Florida Florida elections: 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

Florida's 23rd Congressional District election, 2022

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General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 23

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Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

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Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

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Florida District 23until January 2, 2023

Florida District 23starting January 3, 2023

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2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 23

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 23

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 23

2016

2014

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Florida District 23
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