Kari Lerner (Florida)

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Kari Lerner
Image of Kari Lerner
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Associate

Edison Community College, 1993

Bachelor's

Southern New Hampshire University, 2006

Personal
Birthplace
Troy, Ohio
Religion
Christian: Lutheran
Profession
Real estate
Contact

Kari Lerner (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 19th Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

Kari Lerner was born in Troy, Ohio. She earned an associate degree from Edison Community College in 1993 and a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2006. Her career experience includes working in real estate and sales and as a substitute teacher. As of 2024, Lerner was affiliated with the League of Women Voters.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Florida's 19th Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 19th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

Florida's 19th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 19

Incumbent Byron Donalds defeated Kari Lerner in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 19 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Byron Donalds
Byron Donalds (R)
 
66.3
 
275,708
Image of Kari Lerner
Kari Lerner (D) Candidate Connection
 
33.7
 
140,038

Total votes: 415,746
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kari Lerner advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 19.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Byron Donalds advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 19.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Lerner in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia
Released January 25, 2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

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My story is one of faith, community service, & unwavering dedication. Born in Ohio & raised in Cape Coral, my path took me to NH to raise a family before circling back to my roots in SWFL. Throughout my life, whether as a Pop Warner Pep Squad coach, Stephen’s Minister, Sunday school teacher, educator, businesswoman, State Representative, or community leader, I have always leveraged my talents for the benefit of those around me. I share my life with my husband Alan, our three adult children, son-in-law, stepdaughter, & one dapper grandson.

As a Cypress Lake High School Panther in Fort Myers, I was deeply involved in various activities, including National Honor Society, cotillion, cheerleading, band, senior class treasurer, & even initiated a Football Pep Club.

I earned an AS degree in Business Administration from Edison Community College, managing my studies while working three jobs as a single mother. I later went on to graduate Summa cum Laude with a BS in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

I am a Realtor with 37 years of industry experience, and am currently licensed in FL, NH, and MA.

I served as a State Representative for NH Rockingham District 4, marking only the second time a Democrat had represented this traditionally Republican district in 120 years.

I offer responsible, competent leadership while fighting for the freedoms that matter with transparency & integrity. This is my home, & I am here to serve.
  • Unity among diversity has always been our greatest strength. As Americans we must be able to disagree yet work together toward solutions. Today's divisiveness weakens our nation as our allies & our enemies watch the relentless bickering that has paralyzed Congress, with my opponent as a major instigator. I believe in collaboration without calling colleagues names to serve your district. All are created equal with those inalienable rights of life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness that must be protected & preserved, along with the peaceful transfer of power that has served this nation well for nearly 250 years.
  • A member of Congress is elected to serve as your liaison to the federal government, not for them to use the position as a steppingstone to the next career move. I am running for Congress to serve the people of SWFL. As a legislator with a record of getting things done, I will make it a priority to get Ian disaster relief SWFL has been promised for over a year passed into law, not just filed. I will be focused on bringing home the resources needed to build resilience into the infrastructure of SWFL to protect all & lower risk to bring down insurance costs. As a tireless negotiator, I will deliver resources to address affordable housing, clean water, & infrastructure needs. And I pledge to fight to protect your Social Security.
  • Most importantly, I believe that states should have certain powers of legislation. But as Americans, we MUST have an umbrella of individual rights that cannot be violated. Access to the full range of healthcare options, including reproductive choices, healthcare directives, & contraception. needs to be codified into federal law. Freedoms of speech, religion, & a free press are essential to a free society & the security of our nation. These freedoms are being threatened by extremists like my opponent who believe in dictating to the electorate how to live, whom to love, how to worship, when & how you have a family and what that family must look like. I trust & believe in the individual.
Disaster Relief: I'm passionate about the role of the federal government in disaster relief because it's crucial for rebuilding & resilience. Having experienced the devastation of Ian in our district, I know firsthand that the support from federal and local governments post-Ian shows our commitment to recovery and future preparedness.

Affordable Housing: I'm deeply committed to affordable housing as a fundamental need that affects the quality of life and economic stability of our communities.

Women's Health: I champion women's reproductive rights, including safe access to abortion, as a cornerstone of women's health in Florida. No politician or judge is qualified to dictate healthcare options.
Integrity, transparency, competence, fairness, and independence

Integrity
Integrity refers to the moral quality of the governance process, which is crucial for the legitimacy and credibility of public power. It involves exercising political power consistently in the public interest, independently of private interests, and not using power to maintain one's wealth and position.

Transparency
Transparency is about how an election office or elected official conducts their business. It involves clear communication and the provision of information to candidates and voters, ensuring that all election business is transparent, whether it is ballot design or the procuring of voting systems.

Competence
Competence involves the ability to effectively lead and manage the responsibilities of the office. It includes the ability to put people at ease, resourcefulness, straightforwardness, composure, and the ability to build and mend relationships.

The most important characteristics or principles for an elected official, include integrity, transparency, competence, fairness, and independence. These principles are essential for maintaining the trust of the electorate and ensuring that the democratic process is upheld.

Fairness
Fairness in the context of elections means treating every party, candidate, voter, and participant in the election process equitably. It involves good communication to mitigate potential issues of unfairness and reaching out to stakeholders before making decisions.

Independence
Independence includes avoiding conflicts of interest & treating all parties fairly by adhering to the law. It is essential for election administrators and elected officials to maintain independence to ensure that decisions affecting contributors are made impartially. The loyalty must be to the electorate, not any one individual.

These principles are not only important for election administrators, as outlined in the search results, but also apply broadly to all elected officials.
I am intelligent, intuitive, and incredibly persistent. At one of the 3 jobs I worked when I was a single mother and attending college, there was this anonymous paper taped to the wall which I copied and have taken with me throughout my life. It reads:

"Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. Nothing is more common that unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

As a member of Congress, there will always be others more educated, others more talented, others who might be more intelligent. But I can pledge that there will be no one who is more persistent in the fight to serve my constituents and my nation.
As an elected member of Congress, I take my duties very seriously, knowing they are vital for effectively representing my constituents and making a positive impact on law-making. My main focuses are connecting with constituents and shaping legislative priorities based on the concept of individual rights and liberty.

Constituent Outreach: It's crucial to engage with those I serve. This means answering their questions and concerns, and also reaching out to understand what they need and think. By helping with issues related to federal agencies and explaining the impact of laws, I create a valuable feedback loop that guides my work in Congress.

Legislative Priorities: It's important to identify and focus on the major issues facing my constituents and the country. I put effort into writing, supporting, or changing laws to tackle these issues. My goal is to work on policies that protect individual liberty, protect voting rights, reduce economic inequality, and improve public services, aiming for the well-being and success of all Americans.

In carrying out these tasks, I am dedicated to being transparent, accountable, and actively involved. I want to address immediate problems while working on lasting solutions that strengthen our community and nation. By focusing on impactful legislation and engaging with my constituents, I work to fulfill the trust they've placed in me and positively impact their lives and strengthen our great nation.
Other than babysitting, I held my first job when I was 15 as a cashier at Big John's, which was a local grocery store. I worked there until I turned 16 and was hired to perform clerical work for a real estate firm during the school year and as a Camp Counselor for the Cape Coral Summer Rec program during the summers.
The U.S. House of Representatives is The People's House. In elections free from gerrymandering and intimidation, the U.S. House of Representatives can reflect the diversity that has built our great nation. Disagreement is essential to building strength, but so is compromise.
There are so many stories I've heard while on the campaign trail. The common theme in my district is how distanced the voters feel from their government. A large part of that disconnect can be tied directly to promises made & promises broken. This is why I pledge transparency & integrity. I will not make specific empty promises to people who are already discouraged to the point of hopelessness.

I spoke with a veteran who has struggled to recover from hurricane Ian as he is bounced from one agency to another without answers from his congressman almost 2 years later.

I think of the seniors who are terrified that their Social Security is at risk. Many seniors paid into private pensions that disappeared for a variety of reasons, Social Security is their entire source of income. These people struggle to stay in their homes with Social Security, without it they have nowhere to go.

I think of the college students who plan to leave the state because they are fearful that they may not be able to access the healthcare they need. If my opponent has his way, they may need to leave the country for lifesaving care.

I remember the OB/GYN who lives in constant fear of prosecution. She has taken an oath to do no harm yet is prohibited from offering needed procedures to her patients.

I think of the elderly gentleman who was despondent because his granddaughter would not visit him this year because she was pregnant & feared she would not be able to get care in the event of an emergency.

I think of how many individuals have approached me when I attended LGBTQ+ events in tears, thanking me for openly standing with them.

I think of the voters in the various Hispanic communities who have been mercilessly harassed, regardless of their status.

I think of the rage of the Black community at the attempted erasing of their history.

I am committed to being the liaison for each of these individuals and others to the federal government, to being their voice.
Absolutely, I'm convinced that compromise is not just necessary but actually beneficial for making good policies. This belief comes from recognizing that in a society with diverse views, differences in what people want and how they think we should get there are bound to happen. The core of democracy and governing is about dealing with these differences to find solutions that work for everyone. The U.S. Constitution itself, which was created through compromise, shows how important it is to have mutual respect and negotiation in keeping our democratic republic alive.

Compromise allows lawmakers to sort out disagreements and move forward with laws that take into account different viewpoints. It's all about giving a little here and taking a little there, which is crucial for breaking deadlocks and making real progress on important issues. In today's politically divided environment, the ability to compromise is even more critical for getting things done. Adopting a compromise-friendly approach helps ensure governance works for everyone, not just a few. We cannot allow perfect to be the enemy of the good.

Research on what people think shows that voters from all political backgrounds value respect and a readiness to compromise. They expect this not just from the other side but from all politicians. Being able to compromise is not a sign of giving up on your values or a weakness; it actually shows strength, maturity, and a dedication to the greater good.

As an elected official, I take my duty to serve the public seriously. This means being transparent with money, ethical in governance, and always ready to seek and encourage compromise. When making policies, I remember that lasting, effective solutions usually come from finding a common ground and working together, despite our differences.
Fiscal responsibility is critical to the solvency of our nation & a sacred trust given to members of congress.

U.S. Representatives are elected to serve The People, to make fiscal decisions that are for the good of The People. I will not support any budget measures that place the burden of our national debt or budget needs on working Americans. Nor will I support a budget that will decimate programs for citizens who are already struggling to support their families with dignity.
Financial transparency and government accountability are cornerstones of my philosophy, both during my campaign and in my service. These principles are not just about adhering to regulations; they are fundamental to maintaining the trust and confidence of the public in their government. Being a good steward of financial responsibility means ensuring that every dollar is accounted for and that financial dealings are conducted openly and honestly.

In my campaign, I prioritize transparency in our finances, making it clear who contributes and how funds are utilized. This approach is crucial to prevent undue influence and ensure our political process remains fair and democratic. Organizations advocating for transparent campaign finance, like Common Cause and the Campaign Legal Center, highlight the importance of disclosing financial sources to combat corruption and uphold the integrity of elections.

Similarly, in government, financial transparency is vital. It allows citizens to see how their taxes are used, promoting efficiency and reducing waste. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and initiatives like the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT) work tirelessly to enhance fiscal transparency, demonstrating its role in improving governance.

Transparency extends beyond financial disclosures to include political spending and lobbying activities. Agencies like the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) ensure that public officials and candidates disclose their financial interests, to safeguard against conflicts of interest.

As a public servant, I will be committed to being a responsible steward of the financial trust placed in me. This means not only managing public funds prudently but also advocating for policies that enhance transparency and accountability. By doing so, we can foster a more trustworthy, efficient, and democratic government that serves the public interest with integrity.

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

Lerner’s campaign website stated the following:

January 6th and Democracy

I support the Constitution of the United States of America, and the institutions that have served this nation well for nearly 250 years.

Byron Donalds was present at the rally that instigated the insurrection of January 6th, 2021, voted against certifying the 2020 election, and has refused to commit to certifying any future election results that do not go his way.

My opponent holds beliefs that pose a clear danger to the survival of our nation and the basic principle of the peaceful transfer of power. He must be stopped.

Healthcare Access

No government can be allowed to dictate to any person what choices they can make about their own bodies.

Kari Lerner trusts individuals and their healthcare providers to make decisions about their bodies and their lives. Her opponent, Byron Donalds is a cosponsor of the National Life at Conception Act, which aims to dictate to women what healthcare choices they may access. At the same time, Byron Donalds has received a grade of “F” from the Children’s Defense Fund for voting against all legislation that protected women, children and families while Lerner cosponsored landmark legislation in NH that protected children and passed by one of the highest bipartisan votes of that session. Kari Lerner can work across the aisle.

I trust women to make decisions about their own healthcare, reproductive or general. Adults consult with their physicians, clergy, and family members to make healthcare directives about their treatments every day, reproductive healthcare must be no different.

My opponent, Byron Donalds, has signed-on to the Life at Conception Act. The proposed legislation would not only make abortion illegal under all circumstances across the nation, it would also prohibit many forms of safe and effective birth control, including the Morning After Pill. This leaves women defenseless in cases of illness, rape, or incest, and would prohibit the use of Invitro Fertilization (IVF).

The Life at Conception Act also opens up the potential for the requirement that miscarriages be reported to law enforcement for criminal investigation. According to a WebMD report from December of 2023, “About 10%-20% of all recognized pregnancies will end in a miscarriage. But researchers estimate the overall rate is closer to 40%.” Up to 40% of the time a person becomes pregnant, they would have to be concerned that they could face criminal charges if they lose that fetus.

Make no mistake, I will fight with every available resource to get politicians and judges out of the examining room. We must ensure that all Americans nationwide can make intimate decisions about their healthcare.

Social Security

I pledge to make protecting Social Security a top priority, ensuring seniors that they do not need to live in fear for their financial future.

Kari Lerner knows that Social Security is critical to most seniors and will defend and strengthen the program. Her opponent Byron Donalds wants to gut this promise to Americans.

The Republican Study Committee released their proposed budget in which they gut Social Security, proposing $1.5 Trillion in cuts to the program, increasing the age to 69 and cutting disability benefits. My opponent, Byron Donalds, makes claims that Social Security is insolvent, yet supports tax cuts for the most extremely wealthy Americans.

For millions of Americans, Social Security is the only income they will have as they age to a point where they can no longer earn a living wage. Previous generations had access to pensions from their jobs as a vehicle to save for old age. With the introduction of employer matched 401K programs, pensions have all but disappeared as an option for most Americans. As we learned in the various market busts, your 401K is dependent on an inflationary stock market and when the market tanks, so does your retirement – including the principal.

Social Security has provided a much-needed safety net for everyday Americans, a promise that we cannot allow the radical extremists to break.

Family Values?

Don’t listen to what someone says, watch what they do.

Byron Donalds has a long record of voting against women and families, receiving a grade of “F” from the Children’s Defense Fund.

  • voted against H.R.1 the For the People Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.5984 the IDEA Full Funding Act.
  • voted against H.R.7989 the Protecting Infants from Formula Shortages Act of 2022.
  • voted against H.R.5080 the Secure Background Checks Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.4464 the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act.
  • voted against H.R.4837 the Honoring Family-Friendly Workplaces Act.
  • voted against H.R.128 the RAISE Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.131 the Kalief’s Law.
  • voted against H.R.137 the Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.1603 the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.1620 the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.1808 the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.
  • voted against H.R.2377 the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021.
  • voted against H.R.3617 the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act.
  • voted against H.R.5129 the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022.
  • voted against H.R.5305 the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act.
  • voted against H.R.5746 the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.
  • voted against H.R.6531 the Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022.
  • voted against H.R.6878 the Pregnant Women in Custody Act.
  • voted against H.R.7309 the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022.
  • voted against H.R.7780 the Mental Health Matters Act.
  • voted against H.R.7790 the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022.
  • voted against H.R.7910 the Protecting Our Kids Act.
  • voted against H.R.8326 the Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act.
  • voted against H.R.8404 the Respect for Marriage Act.
  • voted against H.R.8542 the Mental Health Justice Act of 2022.

When I served as a New Hampshire State Representative, I co-sponsored a bill protecting children that passed with one of the highest bipartisan votes of that session.

Immigration

It is essential that the US borders be effectively and humanely secured. The situation at the Southern border is in crisis, and it’s up to Congress to provide the resources to adequately manage the security there. Refusing to provide adequate funding for the necessary steps needed to secure the border has contributed greatly to the chaos. Congress controls the purse strings.

As your Representative to Congress, I am committed to working to secure the Southern border by providing the following resources:

  1. Staff and judges to properly process those individuals who legally present themselves to authorities for asylum, ensuring that those who do not qualify are quickly turned away rather than detained or released to await processing.
  2. Provide clear benchmarks for closing the border when inundated beyond capacity.
  3. Increase the number of Border Agents and electronic surveillance capacity.
  4. Work internationally to foster economic development and political stability in the regions that most migrants leave.
  5. Revisit the bipartisan bill hammered out over months in the Senate.

Southwest Florida's Environmental Water Crisis

Currently, Florida faces a dire environmental crisis that demands our action. Nearly 1,000,000 acres of our estuaries and 9,000 miles of our rivers and streams are contaminated with fecal bacteria. 80% of our 1,000 springs are polluted with nitrogen.

This pollution threatens our health and the biodiversity that thrives in healthy waters.

Kari has been vocal about critical issues such as the need for federal resources to protect navigable waters, funding for disaster recovery as well as building resilience into our infrastructure to bring down insurance premium costs, and addressing the affordable housing crisis. Her opponent, Byron Donalds has voted against every budget presented and has denied the realities of climate science – costing us millions.

Here in SWFL, over 20% of all our economy is tied directly to clean navigable waters. No one wants to spend their money to visit the beach if they can’t go in the water. If we do not act now, they will go elsewhere and it will take years to get them back.

This is why I support the Right to Clean Water initiative to get an amendment to the Florida Constitution declaring clean water a basic right onto the 2026 ballot.

This April, I visited Washington, D.C. and attended sub-committee hearings on budget requests for both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During these hearings, legislators from both parties advocated for critical environmental protection projects for their districts. And our congressman — Byron Donalds — was nowhere to be seen!

Federal grant money is available for various projects to help Southwest Florida clean up our vital waters. As your congresswoman, I will fight for our economic livelihood — our waters.

This is my hometown and I am done watching carpetbagging-vice-president-wannabes like Byron Donalds use us to build his political career on the backs of SWFL voters.

LGBTQ+ Issues

I stand as a firm ally to our individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.

All are created equal, entitled to equal protection and benefits under the law. The pursuit of happiness enshrined in our Bill of Rights begins with the right to love whomever you choose, openly, and without fear of government retaliation. Children especially are under attack. We must not allow the progress that has been so hard-won to be lost.

My opponent Byron Donalds is no friend to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020 alone he cosponsored 4 bills hostile to the LGBTQ+ community,

“…the bills would ban gender-affirming health care for transgender children, repeal municipal and county ordinances protecting LGBTQ workers, and legalize so-called gay conversion therapy in places that had banned the medically debunked practice.” [2]

—Kari Lerner’s 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.


Kari Lerner campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. House Florida District 19Lost general$184,066 $178,546
Grand total$184,066 $178,546
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 14, 2024
  2. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. Kari Lerner’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed July 24, 2024


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