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Marialana Kinter
From Ballotpedia
Marialana Kinter (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 7th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Kinter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Marialana Kinter was born in Bozeman, Montana. She served in the U.S. Navy from 2016 to 2024. She graduated from Providence High School. She attended the University of Arizona and, as of 2025, is attending the University of Central Florida.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Florida's 7th Congressional District election, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Florida District 7
The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 7 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Cory Mills (R) | |
 | Jennifer Adams (D) | |
| George Bock (D) | ||
| Benjamin Ewers (D) | ||
 | Marialana Kinter (D)  | |
 | Noah Widmann (D) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mike Wilnau (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marialana Kinter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kinter's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm Marialana Kinter, a U.S. Navy veteran, and I'm running for Congress to represent our community here in Central Florida. My understanding of the challenges facing working families isn't academic – it's etched into my life story. Growing up as one of four kids raised by a single mom, I learned early on what it means to stretch every dollar, relying on programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and free school lunches. I know the insecurity that comes with housing instability and the vulnerability of navigating the foster care system. These experiences taught me resilience and showed me the quiet dignity of hard work, even when it felt like the system wasn't giving everyone a fair shot.
For me, breaking that cycle meant joining the Navy. It was a path forward, a chance to serve my country and build a different future. In the Navy, I served as a Nuclear Machinist Mate and rose to become a qualified Nuclear Reactor Plant Supervisor, a role demanding discipline, technical expertise, and leadership in high-stakes environments. The military taught me how to execute a mission effectively and forged an unbreakable bond with my fellow service members, instilling a deep, personal understanding that we must honor our promises to veterans. Now, I'm running for Congress because those early lessons, combined with the discipline and commitment learned in service, drive me to fight for the people of Central Florida.
- Restoring Trust through Accountability and Integrity: Our government should work for the people, not special interests. I'm committed to fighting corruption, demanding transparency, and bringing ethical leadership back to Washington. Voters can trust me to be a representative who listens, understands, and always puts their interests first, because I know what it's like to feel like the system is rigged.
- Rebuilding Our Future by Championing Working Families: I'll fight for economic policies that actually help working people get ahead – making housing and childcare affordable, lowering healthcare costs, and ensuring fair wages. Having experienced economic hardship firsthand, I'm dedicated to creating an economy where hard work leads to security and opportunity for everyone in Central Florida, not just those at the top.
- Honoring Our Commitment to Veterans: As a Navy veteran, I will be an unwavering voice for those who served. This means fighting for the timely, comprehensive benefits our veterans have earned, expanding access to quality healthcare (especially mental health services), and supporting their transition to civilian life. We must do more than just thank our veterans; we must act to ensure their sacrifices are honored with concrete support.
Veterans' Affairs: Ensuring our nation honors its promises to veterans with comprehensive support, timely benefits, and quality healthcare.
Economic Justice & Cost of Living: Making life affordable for working families by tackling housing and childcare costs, ensuring fair wages, and creating economic opportunity.
Accessible Healthcare: Fighting for healthcare as a human right, focusing on lower drug costs, expanded coverage, and protecting care for all.
Government Reform & Anti-Corruption: Restoring trust through campaign finance reform, strong ethics laws, and ensuring government accountability to the people.
I deeply look up to my mother. There were a lot of things in life that repeatedly knocked her down - and she kept getting back up. Her resilience in raising four children as a single parent, often facing incredible hardship, taught me the meaning of strength, perseverance, and unconditional love. Despite all of the challenges she faced, she constantly tried her best for us. Losing her when I was 24 was completely devastating and changed my outlook a lot. It made me reflect often on the values she taught me growing up, and I carry her with me every day. Her example of putting her family first, no matter the personal sacrifice, is something I strive to emulate in my commitment to public service.
As an avid reader, it's hard to pinpoint just one work, as I believe our opinions are formed over years through the volume of content we consume, including military history and social commentary. However, my spark for reading social commentaries and history truly ignited in middle school when I read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris, which is a long biography on Theodore Roosevelt. It covered the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of our nation's early politics and social climate, teaching me the importance of critical analysis and understanding diverse perspectives.
Integrity, empathy, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to service are paramount. It is crucial to remember that an elected official is first and foremost a public servant. They must be honest, truly listen to and understand the diverse experiences of their constituents, take responsibility for their actions, and always prioritize the public good over personal gain or partisan politics. As Theodore Roosevelt wisely noted, there can be no compromise on morality. Courage to make tough decisions, even when unpopular, is also vital.
My experience as a Nuclear Reactor Plant Supervisor in the Navy instilled a deep respect for continuous learning and the rigorous application of knowledge; challenging yourself intellectually was a daily requirement. I am committed to bringing that same dedication to thorough research and due diligence to my work in Congress. I also possess strong leadership skills and empathy, from my own experiences with economic hardship allowing me to genuinely connect with the struggles of working families. Finally, my unwavering integrity and commitment to service ensure I will always prioritize the people I represent.
The core responsibilities are to faithfully represent ALL constituents, not just those who voted for you or high-level donors, but every member of the community. This means being deeply involved and accessible. It includes creating legislation thoughtfully to address community needs, providing diligent oversight of government functions, and being a responsive resource. It's about being a voice for your district in Washington and a clear communicator of Washington's actions back to your district.
I'd like to leave a legacy of having made a tangible, positive difference in the lives of the people in my community and for working families across the country. I want to be remembered as someone who restored faith in the idea that government can be a force for good, who fought tirelessly for fairness and opportunity, who always led with integrity and compassion, and who believed deeply in the possibility and prosperity of our nation.
The first major historical event I clearly remember is Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I was almost 8 years old at the time. My school organized a food drive, and representatives from the Red Cross came to talk to us. They explained what had happened and even showed us some footage of the devastation. It was the first time I really had the opportunity to engage with a nationwide event and understand that we are all part of a larger community of people, united in helping each other during times of crisis. Seeing the response and the desire to help from all over the country left a lasting impression on me about our capacity for compassion and collective action
My very first job was lifeguarding, which I started at 14 and a half. Shortly after that, I got my second job working as a hostess in a bakery. I loved both because I've always been a morning person, and these roles gave me an opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet of the opening shifts and the morning rituals before things got busy. It was also pretty easy to get those early schedules – turns out, not a lot of other teenagers were eager to volunteer for them! I held those jobs through high school, stopping both just two weeks before I shipped off to boot camp, ten days after my high school graduation.
It's so hard to choose just one favorite book, as my tastes are pretty broad! I have to break it down by genre. For military non-fiction, I love "Blind Man's Bluff" and "The Terrible Hours" – it's extraordinarily difficult to make historical accounts read like nail-biting stories, but they absolutely nailed it. In military fiction, "The Women" and "A Calamity of Souls" are hands-down favorites. For science fiction, it has to be "Redshirts" by John Scalzi; he's hilarious, and it's the best satirical book I've read. When it comes to other fiction and fantasy, there's such a wide variety that it's hard to choose; I really appreciate creativity and strong world-building – if a book has that, I'll love it. I also have a real passion for autobiographies and memoirs like "Educated" and "Radium Girls." I can't pick a single favorite in that category either; I just find it incredibly compelling to read about people's diverse experiences and can't really pin them against each other.
I'd probably go with Spider-Man (Peter Parker), because he always tries to do the right thing and protect everyday people, even when facing his own serious struggles – that "great power, great responsibility" really resonates. Plus, he manages to keep a sense of humor and wit even in the toughest situations, which I think is a pretty valuable trait! He's also universally known and, at his core, just a regular person trying to make a difference, which I admire.
I'm a big fan of Tyler Childers. His music was one of the things my brother and I really bonded over after we lost our mom. We play his songs a lot, and most recently, "Coal" and "Follow You to Virgie" have been stuck in my head.
Navigating the foster care system and the instability of my early years was a significant struggle. It taught me hard lessons about vulnerability and the importance of stable support systems, but it also instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a fierce determination to fight for those who feel overlooked or left behind.
Its direct connection to the people is the most unique aspect. With two-year terms and smaller district sizes (compared to the Senate), the House is designed to be the chamber most immediately responsive to the public will and the diverse needs of communities across the nation. It's often called "The People's House" for this reason.
While prior political experience can be beneficial, it's certainly not the most important qualification. Government experience as a whole is equally, if not more, crucial. My years of service in the U.S. Navy, particularly as a Nuclear Reactor Plant Supervisor, provided me with extensive experience within a large, complex governmental organization. This involved navigating intricate regulations, managing diverse teams, ensuring strict adherence to protocols, and operating effectively within established governmental structures. This type of direct, hands-on government experience, focused on execution and accountability, has prepared me well to serve effectively in Congress, alongside qualities like integrity, lived experience, and a genuine commitment to the community.
Bridging deep political divisions and fostering a sense of shared national purpose; we must be united for a better future, and working together with common-sense solutions is the only way to achieve it.
Addressing profound economic inequality, combating the near-constant gouging of our working class to benefit corporations, and ensuring the cost of living is manageable for working families.
Combating the climate crisis with urgent and comprehensive action.
Restoring faith in our democratic institutions, which includes reinstating and strengthening the proper boundaries between the branches of government and restoring full respect for due process and our judiciary.
The two-year term ensures representatives stay closely attuned to their constituents' needs and remain accountable. While it means near-constant campaigning, it also fosters a strong connection to the district.
I am open to a serious discussion on term limits for members of Congress. While experience can be valuable, the concentration of power over extended periods can sometimes lead to entrenchment, a disconnect from constituents, and an increased susceptibility to special interests. The primary goal should be a government that remains responsive, dynamic, and truly representative of the people it serves. We need to weigh the benefits of experience against the risks of stagnation and ensure fresh perspectives are regularly incorporated. As the current state of our country and the makeup of our specific community evolves, our political representatives should reflect that ongoing change.
John Lewis inspires me; his moral courage, his unwavering commitment to justice, and his call to "get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America" are principles I strive to embody.
Recently, at a peaceful public demonstration, I met a gentleman who was a social studies and history teacher. He had brought his young daughter with him, not to push his specific views, but, as he explained, to show her firsthand the importance of civic engagement and the power of Americans expressing their beliefs. He wanted her to witness democracy in action and understand the value of independent thought. That really struck me. It wasn't just about the issue at hand, but about a father teaching his child the foundational principles of our country – the freedom to think for herself and the responsibility to participate. It was a powerful reminder that our work isn't just about policy; it's about fostering the next generation of informed and engaged citizens.
Why don’t sailors want to get new hats? They are afraid of cap-sizing!
Compromise is often necessary and can be desirable in a diverse democracy like ours to achieve progress. However, I will not compromise on my core values or on policies that would harm working families, veterans, or our environment. Principled compromise that moves us forward is good; abandoning core beliefs is not.
This "power of the purse" is fundamental and must be wielded with responsibility and a commitment to comprehensive fiscal stewardship. This power should be used to advocate for a fairer tax system where corporations and the wealthiest pay their share, and to ensure federal spending prioritizes the needs of working families, invests in our communities, and responsibly manages our national resources, rather than simply giving tax breaks to those who don't need them.
To improve our current system, thorough and transparent reviews of where taxpayer money is going are a must. I would pursue a system that prevents the arbitrary gutting of important services without a well-researched and publicly vetted plan in place first. Public panic and disruption due to sudden budget cuts can be avoided if we commit to identifying and providing proof of supposed waste, fraud, and abuse, and then developing a clear, comprehensive plan for any adjustments
To improve our current system, thorough and transparent reviews of where taxpayer money is going are a must. I would pursue a system that prevents the arbitrary gutting of important services without a well-researched and publicly vetted plan in place first. Public panic and disruption due to sudden budget cuts can be avoided if we commit to identifying and providing proof of supposed waste, fraud, and abuse, and then developing a clear, comprehensive plan for any adjustments
The House's investigative powers should be used responsibly and judiciously to ensure government accountability, expose waste, fraud, and abuse, and protect the public interest. Investigations should be fact-based and aimed at uncovering truth and informing legislative solutions, not pursued for purely partisan political gain. A failure by any official to comply with legitimate investigations or a failure to properly support such investigative efforts is, in itself, a failure to perform the duties they were elected to uphold.
As a first-time candidate who is just launching my campaign, I am actively building support and pursuing endorsements from a range of local and national organizations, as well as community leaders who share my vision for Central Florida. We will be announcing endorsements as they are confirmed.
Given my background and priorities, I would be particularly interested in serving on:
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The House Armed Services Committee.
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability (formerly Oversight and Reform), to focus on government integrity.
They are non-negotiable foundations of a healthy democracy and central to my "Restoring Trust" message. I support robust financial disclosure requirements for elected officials, stronger ethics enforcement, and measures to increase transparency in government spending and decision-making. Accountability means being answerable to the people for every action and every dollar.
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 finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 25, 2025
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
District 21
Brian Mast (R)
District 22
Lois Frankel (D)
District 23
Jared Moskowitz (D)
District 24
Frederica Wilson (D)
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
Carlos Gimenez (R)
Republican Party (22)
Democratic Party (8)
