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John Columbus (Florida)

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
John Columbus
Image of John Columbus

Republican Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

August 20, 2024

Education

High school

Dr. Phillips High School

Bachelor's

New York University - Tisch School of the Arts, 2006

Personal
Birthplace
Winter Garden, Fla.
Religion
Christian
Profession
Actor
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign YouTube

Campaign TikTok

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

John Columbus (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Florida. He lost in the Republican primary on August 20, 2024.

Columbus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

John Columbus was born in Winter Garden, Florida. He earned a high school diploma from Dr. Phillips High School and a bachelor's degree from the New York University - Tisch School of the Arts in 2006. His career experience includes working as an actor.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: United States Senate election in Florida, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Florida

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Florida on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Rick Scott
Rick Scott (R)
 
55.6
 
5,977,706
Image of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) Candidate Connection
 
42.8
 
4,603,077
Image of Ben Everidge
Ben Everidge (No Party Affiliation) Candidate Connection
 
0.6
 
62,683
Image of Feena Bonoan
Feena Bonoan (L) Candidate Connection
 
0.5
 
57,363
Image of Tuan Nguyen
Tuan Nguyen (No Party Affiliation) Candidate Connection
 
0.5
 
56,586
Image of Howard Knepper
Howard Knepper (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
13

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

Total votes: 10,757,428
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.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Florida

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeated Stanley Campbell, Brian Rush, and Rod Joseph in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Florida on August 20, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Candidate Connection
 
68.5
 
747,397
Image of Stanley Campbell
Stanley Campbell Candidate Connection
 
19.6
 
213,777
Image of Brian Rush
Brian Rush
 
6.7
 
73,013
Image of Rod Joseph
Rod Joseph
 
5.2
 
56,961

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,091,148
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Florida

Incumbent Rick Scott defeated Keith Gross and John Columbus in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Florida on August 20, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Rick Scott
Rick Scott
 
84.4
 
1,283,904
Image of Keith Gross
Keith Gross Candidate Connection
 
9.4
 
142,392
Image of John Columbus
John Columbus Candidate Connection
 
6.3
 
95,342

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

Total votes: 1,521,638
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Feena Bonoan advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Florida.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Columbus in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

John Columbus completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Columbus' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am a 40-year-old millennial who would like to see positive change happen in Washington DC. My whole life I’ve been a theatre professional and understand that on one ego is more important than the product the audience deserves. This is why I decided to get into politics. As of late the audience (American Citizens) have been manipulated by bad actors, bad writers, and terrible narratives while inequities continue to proliferate onto the next generation. One of my favorite albums, Incubus’s Make Yourself states it perfectly, “I feel emphatic about not being static, and not eating the BS that’s being fed to me… cause now I’m full.” I’m here as an admittedly flawed Millennial who is ready for Washington DC to keep up with the needs of the people. I attended New York University and obtained a BFA in Theatre. I love to read, I love to write, and above all I know how to collaborate with others. Henry Clay urged for more mutual concessions as to create better legislation, but at present as we face The Great Perception, we are having trouble distinguishing what are Facts and what are Fictions. Because of the echo chambers caused by social media, the division will keep getting worse unless more people like me stand up and tell the status quo we have had enough. In this gig economy, I need the work, and I think Rick Scott will enjoy spending time with his grandkids in retirement.
  • Conservation is only possible if conservatives jump onboard the green train. I know Floridians love their beaches, parks and waterways, and I believe we as a State can be leaders in the effort to fight for the environment. We should protect the flora and fauna, plant more trees, and begin to implement clean, renewable energy.
  • Education is key to the intellectual development of our population. We need to pay teachers more, make sure schools have the funds they need, and make literacy more important than standardized tests. I want to encourage a movement where students spend more time reading books than they spend on their electronic devices. Right now our electronics are learning from us, and as AI continues to develop, we need to be able to read and write better than the computers. This is not a partisan issue, the fate of humanity literally depends on us continuing and advancing our educational system. I want to Make America Read Again!
  • We live in an era I’ve coined as “The Great Perception.” This is an abstract idea that relates to how ultimately people believe what they want to believe regardless of facts and evidence. In my opinion the problem is that the leaders harboring power have tapped into this manipulation of messaging at the detriment of the American people. We need more transparency, honesty, and integrity in regard to our leaders. We need leaders who will admit when they are wrong, empathize with differences of opinion, and tell the truth to the people instead of propitiating lies for personal benefit. I don’t want to see this fractured perception of reality continue to metastasize; facts are facts, math is math, science is real, and the Earth is a sphere.
Social Security: the fund is dwindling and Congress does not know how to deal with the emerging issue. Some members of Congress would rather cut Social Security benefits, labeling them as “entitlements.” I believe the life long investments should be guaranteed by the government, coining the money if necessary. That being said, I don’t think seniors who are willing and able work should have their Social Security checks penalized. I understand it’s a way to keep the fund solvent, but if Congress can enact legislation that ensures the funds will always be there, why withhold money due to seniors?
I look up to my Dad, he is a genuine nice guy who takes care of people. He’s also was a successful leader for many years with the Disney organization.
I love reading George Washington’s farewell address, every time I read it I find something new. Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography is a wonderful inspiration; I’d love to own my own publishing company and have a positive influence on American politics to then leave as my legacy.
I will also endorse in two brief sentences that I wrote two volumes of a book titled “My Great American Novel by J.J. Columbus.” In my first self published works I ask the audience how much fiction they want in a politician, and how the fictions they crave influence their realities.
I believe John Adams got it right when he said that government was meant to provide the greatest quality of happiness for the majority of the people. How do we accomplish this? We need to elect leaders who are honest, transparent, and respect the people they represent. I have wonderful parents who taught me fundamental core values that I continue to hold dear: treat others the way you want to be treated, be the person who solves problems instead of creating them, and God is good, trust in him. As a Christian, I am a firm believer in the separation of Church and State; the founders made this clear in the first amendment. I will pray to God about my decisions, but I will not demand theocratic doctrine to rule over the people. I recognize that my subjective belief system may not work for everyone, and in the land of the free, we celebrate a persons right to believe what they want as long as it doesn’t infringe upon the rights of others.
I am a doer, I like to get things done. I love putting in the work and then looking back to see how much I’ve accomplished. I’m also a diplomat, and peacemaker. Nowadays politicians work to vilify each other and it is embarrassing for the American people. I am the kind of person who would be self deprecating before verbally insulting somebody else; this is because I believe in the golden rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated.
As a member of the upper chamber of Congress, a Senator should fully understand each bill placed on their desk. My incumbent opponent has made his position on this clear. In February, Rick Scott put out an opinion column in the Orlando Sentinel where he complained about earmarks, and all the quantity pages that can be placed inside each bill. To me this sounds like he doesn’t like to read, voting no on a bill simply because of its quantity while negating it's quality is negligent. Yes, as a Republican it is our duty to reign in spending, but Scott cuts out the work while ignoring a whole bill and it's fixable issues.
As a United States Senator, I would take my job seriously and read through each bill and each earmark, formulate arguments for why each item should or shouldn’t be in the bill, and work across the aisle to find mutual concessions that are morally and fiscally responsible. Ignoring a bill because there are too many earmarks is irresponsible and lazy. We pay Senators $174 a year for this job. I understand that this amount isn’t very much to my opponent, but this paycheck would be a life changing amount of money for me, and I’d be willing to do the job the people pay me to do instead of creating political stalemate that benefits no one.
I want to be remembered as a renaissance man of the people. Not only do I want to make a positive difference in Washington DC that will last generations, but I also want to be a champion for the arts.
I remember operation Desert Storm. I was in the 1st grade. My older brother scared me to death when he told me Saddam Hussein was outside my bedroom window.
My very first job out of high school was at Universal Studios Orlando where I was a temporary tattoo artist. I had this job for one summer before attending NYU in the fall of 2002.
Do I only get to choose 1? I’ll start off with the Bible because it tells the story of Jesus. Next favorite is my book, because it tells my story and explores the depths of my imagination. I loved the Barbara Bush memoir and how it is a reflection of her love for her country and literature. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful was a wonderful read, and a helpful handbook for success. I think everyone should read Hennry David Thoreau’s Walden. The Lord of the Ring series by Tolkien are majestic. I wish I’d discovered C.S. Lewis as a kid, but enjoyed reading the Narnia series as a young adult. The Harry Potter series by Rowling makes me happy. I’ve read most of George R.R. Martin’s books and love the political twist and turns involved in his fictional world. Mario Puzo’s works I’ve read multiple times, his in depth knowledge of sociology combined with masterful storytelling is wonderful. 1984 by Orwell is prophetic, and society should heed his warnings. I’ve read most all of Dan Browns books because I love a great page turner. I read all of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series because it felt like I was able to connect with the unsung heroes who defend our rights and keep our country safe. The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a wonderful comedy that every fan of the movie should read. On Writing by Stephen King is an excellent source I turned to as I worked to become a writer. The Earthsea Cycle by Le Guin are fantastic for readers of any age. Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson got me Imaging the potential for human space travel. The Pillars of the Earth series by Ken Follett are an epic and wonderful. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr was beautiful, and worthy of it’s accolades. I enjoyed The Martian by Andy Weir, that book is a brilliant example of human resilience. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts tells an amazing story about redemption. The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy is poetic. Lincoln by David Herbert Donald is an excellent portrait of a remarkable man.
Marvel’s Nightcrawler, I’ve always wanted to be able to teleport.
Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man.
People often misunderstand me, interpreting my introverted demeanor as some sort of perceived threat. Often, when I tell the truth, people don’t believe me because something about my delivery comes across as if I’m lying. I have never been tested, but I think I might be somewhere on the autism spectrum. When deeply aggravated I become non-verbal, and eye contact becomes very difficult. I’ve always dealt with this by writing when I am triggered, but then people’s perceptions go haywire, fearing the guy penning vigorously into his journal.
Education amid the rise of AI is an existential threat. We cannot allow computers to write papers for students, this is plagiarism and a disservice to American literacy. Congress needs to hold these tech companies accountable for what their new intelligence produce, adding blockchain identification to establish what has been written by a computer and what is written by a person. If we allow AI to continue its growth unchecked, the results could be devastating. Not only will AI become more qualified for jobs, but the population will decline on an intellectual level.
At present, we have sitting Senators who are still having trouble understanding how social media impacts society, the idea of AI is out of their intellectual grasp of understanding. This is why I feel it is so important for the next generation to step up and be represented in the United States Senate; my generation knows what it feels like to be experimented on by Big Tech and social media companies. I have questions that need answering, and the people of my generation have questions that need answering. How do we protect society while their entire lives are subjugated to be stored by companies who own their personal information?
Term limits would help filter new blood into a government of, for, and by for the people. In my opinion Term Limits should apply not only to the President but also from Congress to the Supreme Court. The more people we get involved in the process of government, the more balanced it will become.
The Senate is the equal representation of each State in the Union, regardless of size or population. This helps balance Congress, making it harder for bigger States to impose their beliefs on smaller States. In the Senate there are only two individuals per State who
preside, this concentration of power makes each Senator a very powerful person. I feel it is up to the Senate to be a balanced, respectful and intelligent filter to the House of Representative who sponsor bills.
No. I think we need more authenticity holding office than we do career politicians. I believe having a history of voting records can help inform voters on who they want to elect, but that does not necessarily mean experience helps a Senator. When Senators use their experience with our system of government for self gain rather than to benefit the people, experience is the enemy.
Bring back the old school filibuster, Mr. Smith goes to Washington style. For those who have forgotten how this works, watch the Frank Capra movie starring Jimmy Stuart to understand what the filibuster once was. If a senator in the minority can't put their voice behind their objection, they shouldn't be able to veto a bill.
John F. Kennedy was a trail blazer at a young age, and I also would like to one day become President of the United States.

Marco Rubio is someone I'd like to get to know on a personal level in order to represent Florida in the best way possible; he seems like a really nice guy.
Henry Clay was the great compromiser who Lincoln admired, and I feel his words should be reignited to help our nation heal from the divisions as of late.
Sam Houston was a remarkable statesman who stood by his core values and convictions despite what his party felt at any given moment.
Bernie Sanders has often rubbed people the wrong way, but he has never wavered in his beliefs, and the people love him for his matter of fact demeanor.
Mitt Romney is a God fearing man and top notch Senator who has always told the truth to the American people; putting their needs above his own personal elevation.

John McCain, rest his soul, died from the same cancer my mom fought and overcame. McCain always honored his country by respecting the people he disagreed with. I know I will never receive the level of honors as Senator McCain, but I can try my best to be as respectable on the Senate floor as that American hero.
There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand the binary system, and those who don’t.
Judicial nomination comes down to experience on their experience on the bench and their rulings while presiding over cases. There is a level of research that goes into a nominee such as time as a lawyer, but judicial rulings hold president over federal bench openings. I would research some of their tougher cases and play devils advocate, adding to the opposition arguments in order to clarify how the nominee came to their decision for each ruling. If I don't trust the nominee, I'd add a level of pettifogging to the questionable issues in their cases to see how well they'd handle themselves under pressure. At the end of the day it is about how well the constitution has been followed, and if their moral guardrails align with the law and the Constitution.
I am an advocate for bipartisanship, regardless if I personally like someone or not, I’m willing to find common ground as a way to forge needed resolutions. As a theatre professional, every job I’ve ever had has required collaboration. Regardless of party lines, our job is to provide good governance to the American people. Because we are the upper chamber of Congress, we need to fully understand the merits of each bill before giving it back to the House or in some cases, to the President of the United States. In order to do this, I would like to establish personal relationships with the 99 other members of the Senate chamber, and work in a bipartisan manner to move our country forward.
100%
I believe the 4th amendment is detrimental when it comes to inquiring over an issue. First and foremost there should cause and ample reason for the investigation. If there is a matter that has a negative impact of the general public, the Senate should be able to depose those allegedly responsible for the acts. Keeping this in mind, privacy rights are important, and that is why classified depositions are needed. The two sides of the coin in these types of cases are very similar, yet different in many ways. A public investigation would be for the people's interest when wrongdoing occur that needs answers, and a classified deposition occurs when answers are warranted for jurisprudence while also holding respect for the privacy of the entities involved. Subpoenas are a legitimate way to ask an entity or individual to testify if needed.
Hillsborough County Muslims for Democracy and Fairness
Appointments should be decided by qualifications. I would not confirm political cronies who have no experience in a department they wish to be responsible for if they know nothing about the place. This is why a detailed interview is required by the Senate, to understand where each individual stands on the issues they'd face on a day to day in their role. If I saw nepotism over qualifications, I'd reject the appointee with my vote.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: I want to help plant trillions of trees around the globe.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: I want to help shepherd cleaner energy within the transpiration network. Using newer sciences, we can help domestic commerce become more affordable as we begin to depend less on fossil fuels and their rising costs. This idea ties directly into Energy & Natural Resources: yes we should keep drilling, then we should barrel up that fuel and save it for a rainy day; there is only a finite amount of fossil fuels. we should conserve.
Environment and Public Works would be a key committee for me, as conservation is my top priority..
Foreign Relations: I am a diplomat, and I not only want to use my powers of collaboration in Congress, but also to promote peace abroad.
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: protecting our boarders is very important to me. I was a senior in High School during 9/11, and then moved to New York the next year. I understand the importance of this department and the impact the nation feels if it fails.
Indigenous Affairs: I am 1/16th Native American, on my mother's side. Despite the relationship Native Americans have with my last name, I am a advocate for Indigenous rights. Elect me and let it be known throughout history that a Columbus helped Indigenous people in the 21st century.
The Joint Committee on Printing and on the Library: as a bibliophile, this would be a dream job.
Judiciary: In full disclosure, after I'm done with this process of politicking, I would love to go to law school, (when I can afford it and also have paid off my Tisch School of the Arts student loans.) Becoming a Senator is just a stepping stone to someday become a lawyer and then a judge. The penultimate dream job would be a Supreme Court Justice of the United States, but I'll find solace in wherever God places me.

These are just a few of the committees I'd like to be placed on, but I'm sure I'd do well wherever I'm needed.
This answer is simple: transparency is key to good governance. The people deserve to know where their taxes go. Money often talks louder than words, and math is a universal and objective way to understand what their elected leaders prioritize. Politicians often talk at length about how they want to help the people, but their contribution to spending shows exactly what they prioritize.

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

Campaign website

Columbus' campaign website stated the following:

“

Policies
Conservation
I look to the great Republican leader Theodore Roosevelt, the father of the American conservation effort as inspiration for this priority. It is our job to be stewards of this beautiful country, protecting the flora and fauna for the next seven generations and beyond. Humans have a huge impact on the environment, and as leaders in the free world, it is our responsibility to adjust accordingly; Florida can be a major influence in this global effort. I know how many of our citizens love their beaches, parks, and waterways, acting as stewards to our precious peninsula in order to pass it on to future generations. To do otherwise is selfish and irresponsible.

Each one of us can take part in keeping our peninsula healthy and beautiful, efforts can be as easy and cost effective as picking up trash when visiting a local park or beach. I know this is not a typical platform of a modern conservative, but we should look at the root word; “conservation” isn’t possible with the word “conservative.” Many from my party are very “liberal” with how they treat the environment, and I believe it’s because a modern conservative leader hasn’t emerged to make this a top priority. “Suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special observance, that you o'er step not the modesty of nature.” - William Shakespeare, Hamlet."

I vow to leave this world a better place than how I found it. Imagine what our country would look like if Teddy Roosevelt hadn’t established millions of acres of public land, national forest, bird reservations, game preserves, national parks and monuments. I believe the majority of Floridians love and care about the environment, so let’s act on our instincts, and protect our beautiful home.

Education
When it comes to Florida’s average teacher pay, we rank 50th in the country. Between arbitrary book banning and a teacher shortage, Florida’s public education needs a facelift. As AI emerges, my solution to staying ahead of technology on the intellectual playing field is simple: stop spending as much time on social media an more time reading more books; literature remains the most powerful tool to hone the mind for critical thinking and learning. Every book ever written holds a universe of possibilities within each page. A vote for me, John Columbus on August 20th, is a vote to expand literacy and critical thinking. Help me in my mission to Make America Read Again!

Religious Views
I am a God fearing Christian who believes in a supportive, loving family and a vibrant, healthy, and safe community. I believe love is more powerful than hate, and Jesus was brought to Earth to teach us about the power of forgiveness. I believe the Earth is round, science is real, and nobody (except Jesus) is perfect. I trust God influences each of us, but it is our choice to listen and heed God’s word. I renounce hate in all forms, and believe the pen is mightier than the sword. I believe the power of democracy is what will keep our thriving republic strong, despite the many politicians who get things wrong. I believe the deceiver is a dangerous being who interrupts, corrupts, and we should be aware of his hateful, malicious and dangerous nature. I believe God speaks to us everyday, and when it’s time to vote on election day, we should dig deep and trust God’s voice to make the right choice.

That being said, separation of church & state is a founding principle of our great nation. I use my faith to make personal choices, but to demand my neighbor follows my subjective belief system, this is what the founders fought against. The first Amendment of the Constitution says that “there shall be no law establishing a religion," giving each citizen the right to exercise their own beliefs, as long as those beliefs don’t infringe upon the rights of anyone else. I believe God gave us free will, and in the land of the free, we should not force religious beliefs on any citizen. In this secular state, we have the freedom and a choice to seek God.

Social Security
The needed fund our seniors depend on has been under attack as of late. Many politicians label Social Security as an "entitlement," and I disagree, I'd rather call it what it is: a lifetime investment. Many in Congress don't know how to address the approaching problem of the dwindling fund, and others think sunsetting Social Security is the best way forward.

I see an easy solution to ensure Social Security doesn't run out and remains a dependable support system for aging Americans. Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, this is how Social Security has been maintained. Congress also has the power to coin money, and we should use the Treasury to supplement the program, Federally insuring the insurance. If Congress passes this sort of legislation, more improvements could be made to expand Social Security. For instance, there would be no need for the Windfall Elimination Provision, not being taxed on Social Security would be a reward for our civil servants. Also, there would be no need to penalize seniors who are willing and able to keep working into their golden years.

Also, if the government does mess up, and pay a person too much, that error is on the government, seniors shouldn't be gaslighted into believing they did something wrong when, (cough cough, Rick Scott,) asks for the money back.

Inflation
I believe we can keep cooling inflation by fostering competition; encouraging small businesses to grow will positively affect consumers. Take a good look at the numbers to recognize who has profited from the higher price for food, and who has taken the brunt of the impact. The FTC has reported how larger grocers have had record profits, while consumers struggle to keep up with the rising costs. I propose supporting small business that need help competing with the wealthy corporations who’ve been in control of the rising costs.

Immigration
We began as a nation of immigrants, and that’s not going to change, but the system we have in place right now is broken, and illegal crossings are outnumbering those trying to come to our country the right way. We need Congress to legislate comprehensive solutions to the southern border including more processing centers, and funding for border personnel. Ignoring the problem only makes the crisis worse. We need to fix this issue at the top, by electing a Congress who will act instead of sitting on their hands creating stubborn political theater.

I want to remind everyone of Article 1, Section 1 of the United States Constitution: "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."

It is the job of Congress to send a comprehensive border bill to the President.

I remember all those Rick Scott TV adds during football season, and he harped on the rise of crime as a direct result of the crisis at the boarder. My opponent then killed a bill because it said, ‘secure’ instead of ‘close,’ so he voted 'no,' preventing a ‘win’ for the other team. Mr. Scott needs to remember we are all on the same team, and America is more dangerous because of his refusal to compromise. I believe the American people deserve safety, so let’s fix the issue, logically, and in a humane way, instead of gaslighting and creating chaos for the American people. Adding more security, and properly processing the flow of people who wish to live the greatest country in the world is where we need to start.

If elected, I’d advocate for a comprehensive system that would be able to conduct background checks on immigrants who wish to immigrate to the United States. If we work closely together with other countries sharing interagency information, we can work to prevent violent criminals and anyone associated with cartels and terrorist cells to come into our country.

National Security
My grandfather flew on D-Day and continued on to fly over 60 missions in WWII. I believe it is our duty to the free world to stand up to tyranny. There will always be bullies on the proverbial playground, and to quote Uncle Ben, “with great power comes great responsibility.” When autocrats and dictators feel emboldened, I believe we should remind them to back off because we carry a big stick. The United States will always stand for freedom, and when our allies freedoms are threatened, we’ll be there.

Election Integrity
I believe the right to vote in this country is sacred, and we need to ensure every vote is counted. There are some who want to stop counting votes after a specific time limit, and that would mean service men and women who vote by mail and absentee ballots would not have their vote counted; this idea is just plain wrong. We need to protect every citizens vote, and ensure election fraud is pursued and punished accordingly at every level. If there is evidence of fraud or irregularities, they should be investigated, dealt with, and reported.

Once all legal avenues for a candidate have been exhausted, and the evidence points to a clear winner, there is only one thing left to do. With each election there are both winners and losers; and accepting the results of free and fair elections is part of this perpetual American experiment. As John Adams once said, “Facts are stubborn things,” and when facts and evidence prove the people have chosen a winner with their votes, no amount of wishing for a different outcome can change that simple fact.

I also believe election day should be a federal holiday. Let’s celebrate this right our forefathers fought for, honoring and respecting the will of the people despite our differences of opinions.

What would be worse is the right to vote being taken away because someone in power claims everything has been "fixed." I am a Christian who loves voting, and it is my civic duty to help make sure we continue to have free and fair elections. This is the only way to keep the spirit of America alive, and I pray to God this is not the last election where our votes matter.

Law & Order
The Republican party has always been proud supporters of law enforcement, and as a member of the community who has dealt with my fair share of police encounters, I vow to always stand up for those who work to keep our communities safe. From local Sheriffs, to Federal Investigators, from City Police to the Capitol Police; these brave men and women deserve honor and respect.

I'm not perfect, but I know the difference between right and wrong, and even though I don't have experience in creating laws, I believe that some of the lawmakers in Washington DC have lost their way, and turn a blind eye to wrongdoings when members of their party are involved; this is willful negligence of the law, a disservice to justice, and just plain wrong. I believe leaders who allow injustices to flourish for the sake of the party politics have abdicated their responsibilities and should step aside. Our first President, George Washington warned against the dangers of party politics, writing:

“It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion."

To ignore wrongdoings for the sake of party allegiance is akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face. I promise to always put my country and its laws first, following the law should be fundamental to maintaining the greatest country on earth.

Term Limits
I’m reminded of one of my favorite authors, Vince Flynn and the first book he self published, Term Limits, I am a supporter of the nonviolent concept of Term Limits (as in years allowed to serve as oppose to how Flynn describes it,) and I believe we need a influx of healthy new blood in Washington DC, from Congress to the Supreme Court.

Common Sense Workers Protections
The backlash from Floridians across the sate at the passage of HB 433, the bill the Florida Legislature passed banning requirements for counties and cities from providing shade and water breaks, got me thinking, “perhaps this issue needs to be addressed at the federal level.” I believe our American values should encourage safe environments for every worker, and forcing workers to endure inhospitable conditions for prolonged periods of time is inhumane. The only way to push back against the cruel HB 433, is to expand basic worker protections to every corner of America.

Healthcare
ACA needs a lot of improvement, and I am willing to reach across the aisle to make sure every citizen has access to affordable insurance policies that cover needed treatments. I pay $28 a month for coverage, and the ACA pays over $500 a month to the help me afford coverage, but my insurance only covers 50% of my out of pocket expenses. If we improve upon this helpful law, we will have a healthier society with more money in their pockets.

Nowadays, too many people rely on crowdfunding to pay for treatment. I believe Congress should incentivize and support Non-profit Healthcare, as it is against the law for them to lobby for themselves. Expanding the Non-profit sector would create greater competition in the marketplace, encouraging for profit healthcare to lower prices in order to compete.

Abortion
As a 40-year-old male, I admit I automatically lack perspective on the subject of abortion. I recognize that providing healthcare options prevents more dangerous scenarios from occurring for pregnant women, but where are the limitations? We know that as of May 1st, 2024, abortions are illegal after 6 weeks, a couple years ago, it was 24 weeks. Now, it’s up to the voters. Florida has a chance this November to get out the vote and decide if the six week ban should stay or be pushed back to 24 weeks.

Personally, I am pro-life, but that does not make me anti-choice. I recognize the spectrum of situations that can occur during pregnancy, and do not believe a binary “Yea” or “Nay” will solve this question that’s been asked since the beginning of human existence.

Is there a third option that can be achieved with advancements of 21st century medical technology? When a fetus is viable, is there a way to remove the developing life to then safely nurture that life until it can be adopted by parents who are willing to care for it?

Until that science fiction becomes a reality, (hopefully through bipartisan legislation that provides federal funding to the developing that sort of medical technology,) I believe we should promote the use of contraception for anyone who is not ready to have children. Personally, I do not believe abortion should be viewed a form of contraception, but I admit, I will never be faced with that situation. Despite my personal views, if elected, I will stand beside Florida’s decision on how the people vote on Amendment 4 in November.

Housing
The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Florida is $1,557/month, and annually these prices keep going up. There are many reasons for the hike in prices: the influx of residence and the high demand for rentals, inflation, and big corporations buying homes and turning them into rentals.

First off, I don’t believe commercial businesses should be able to buy residential property. These corporations are holding the housing market hostage and are not required to put caps on the homes they rent. The consumers are the ones who bear the brunt of these price hikes while a select few profit off the back of Floridians. This is creating a permanent rental class that, combined with the skyrocketing housing insurance crisis, has created the perfect storm making it near impossible for renters to afford homes for themselves. Insurers are running away from Florida because of how many homes are at risk from the threat of weather conditions, and the Florida legislature has not done anything to combat these fiscal threats. What would help at the federal level would be to incentivize more insurance companies to invest in Florida.

Second, stop allowing corporations to encroach on in residential areas.

Third, demand the Florida legislature pass a bill that would put a maximum cap on rent hikes each year. I believe we need to investing in stronger homes, encouraging more insurance companies to come back to Florida. Once the insurance market has healthier competition, that will automatically lower the costs. Only then can we put housing back into the hands of average Floridians and lower the cost of living. But we can’t stop there. I believe investing in clean energy and cutting carbon emissions will help take care of our shared home, and in turn, our planet will take better care of us.

Stock Market Divestments
Leading up to my run for Congress, I sold off all the stock I owned. I believe members of Congress who personally profit from the stock market before while dealing with information that is not made known to the public should be called what it is: Insider Trading and a Crime. Congress has been using their seat of power to personally benefit from their elected position, and I believe this sort of practice is a white collar crime that needs to be stopped. I call on Congress to either divest from the market, or hand their portfolio over to a blind trust until they are no longer in office. This will ensure the peoples needs come first.

Cannabis
The first time I was arrested was due to trumped up charges in 2012 when I was talking too loud about my favorite herb at a bar. I am currently a Florida Medical Marijuana patient, and am glad to see the acceptance of cannabis shared with the majority of voters; but there is still more work to do. I want to encourage everyone to vote “Yes” on Amendment 3, 60% of the vote is needed to make Cannabis both recreational and safer for the community.

The Great Perception
We live in the Great Perception, an abstract idea describing the polarized echo chambers that divides us. Nowadays people believe what they want to believe regardless of facts and evidence. I want to ask Florida how much “make believe,” and “fiction,” they want their politicians to tell them. I think we all need to look in the mirror this election cycle, and ask ourselves what sort of representatives we want in government; is that someone who lies, cheats and steals to get what they want? Is it someone who is willing to tear down the system that put them in power? Or is it someone who is willing to put their country before themselves? I promise to always act from a place of honesty and integrity; my life is an open book. [2]

”
—John Columbus’ campaign website (2024)[3]

Campaign finance summary

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

John Columbus campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. Senate FloridaLost primary$25,900 $25,900
Grand total$25,900 $25,900
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 11, 2024
    2. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    3. ↑ John Columbus' campaign website, “Policies,” accessed July 31, 2024


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