Paul Dellinger

Paul Dellinger (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 8th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on August 18, 2026.^[source]

Dellinger also ran for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 8. He will not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on August 18, 2026.

Dellinger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Paul Dellinger was born in Titusville, Florida. He graduated from Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. He attended Eastern Florida State College. His career experience includes working as a community organizer, assistant manager at Pizza Hut, general manager at Bagel 13, and in comedic roles at the Cocoa Village Playhouse.^[1]

Elections

2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 18, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. House Florida District 8

Lacey Villareal is running in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 8 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Lacey Villareal (Independent)

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 8

Paul Dellinger is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 8 on August 18, 2026.

		Candidate
		Paul Dellinger

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 8

Incumbent Mike Haridopolos is running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 8 on August 18, 2026.

		Candidate
		Mike Haridopolos

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

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General election

The primary will occur on August 18, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for Florida House of Representatives District 8

Aaron Daniel Ruddell is running in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 8 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Aaron Daniel Ruddell (No Party Affiliation)

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 8

Incumbent Gallop Franklin is running in the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 8 on August 18, 2026.

		Candidate
		Gallop Franklin

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Paul Dellinger (D)

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Paul Dellinger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dellinger's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Paul Lyal Dellinger, a lifelong community advocate, content creator, acore/comedian and working-class Floridian running for Congress in Florida’s 8th District. I live in Rockledge with my partner, Joseph Cox, Professional Scenic Artist at the Cocoa Village Playhouse. My campaign is rooted in grassroots organizing — focused on affordable healthcare, affordability in general, supporting working families, and ensuring equality and dignity for every person. I believe change comes from the ground up, through compassion, accountability, and people power.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

People over politics — fighting for working families, the disabled, marginalized communities, and everyday Floridians rather than special interests or party agendas.
Accountability and transparency — ensuring government officials deliver on promises and are fully responsible to their constituents.
Grassroots empowerment — mobilizing communities to have a real voice in decisions that affect their lives, from local issues to federal policy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordable access to healthcare and essential services — making sure everyone can get the care and support they need without financial hardship, while also advocating for civil rights, disability rights, and social justice.

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

I look up to Conan O’Brien because of his creativity, intelligence, and resilience. He has built a career that combines humor with insight, always thinking outside the box and connecting with people from all walks of life. I admire his ability to remain authentic and curious, to adapt through challenges, and to use his platform to engage, entertain, and inspire others. Conan’s dedication to his craft and his ability to bring joy while provoking thought are qualities I hope to bring to my own work in public service.

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

Integrity, courage, and accountability are essential. An elected official must be willing to fight for the people they represent, not special interests, and have the empathy to understand the struggles of working families, the disabled, and marginalized communities. Transparency and a willingness to listen are just as important as bold action.

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

A representative’s core responsibility is to serve their constituents — protecting access to affordable healthcare, advocating for working families, ensuring civil rights, and bringing attention to local issues, from environmental concerns to education and infrastructure. They must listen, amplify local voices, and work to create solutions that reflect the district’s values and needs.

What legacy would you like to leave?

want to leave a legacy of service, accountability, and tangible change. I hope to be remembered as someone who fought for working families, the disabled, marginalized communities, and everyday Floridians — someone who didn’t just talk about change but helped create it. I want to inspire others to get involved, to believe that government can work for the people, and to show that compassion, courage, and persistence can make a real difference in our communities.

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

Bill Clinton’s reelection campaign, I was 5.

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

My very first job was overnight clerk at 7-11, I held it for three years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I’m a big fan of manga and anime, and one of my favorite series is Dragon Ball. I love it not just for the action and adventure, but for the themes of perseverance, friendship, and personal growth. Manga has inspired me to think creatively, stay resilient in the face of challenges, and value teamwork — lessons I carry into both my personal life and public service.

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

If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Superman. I admire his commitment to justice, his courage in standing up for the vulnerable, and his dedication to using his abilities to help others. Like Superman, I want to use whatever skills and resources I have to make a positive difference in people’s lives and stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult.

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

Mental health has been a real struggle in my life, especially in my 20s. Balancing a full-time job while raising toddlers with my ex-wife was incredibly challenging. It taught me firsthand how demanding life can be when support systems are limited and mental health is overlooked. Those experiences shaped my empathy and drive to advocate for better mental health resources, support for working parents, and policies that help families thrive without being stretched beyond their limits.

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

The House is uniquely close to the people, with representatives directly accountable every two years. Its size, diversity, and direct connection to districts allow for a real reflection of America’s communities and local needs.

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

Experience can help, but it is not required. Commitment, empathy, and the willingness to fight for constituents matter more than career politics. Sometimes, fresh voices bring the clarity and energy government needs.

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

Healthcare affordability, climate change, economic inequality, protecting civil rights, and ensuring our democracy functions fairly and transparently are the biggest challenges. We also need to address social support systems, accessibility for the disabled, and quality education for all children.

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

Yes. A two-year term keeps representatives accountable to their constituents and ensures they stay connected to the district’s current needs.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits because long-term incumbency can breed complacency and disconnect from the people. Fresh perspectives and new energy help keep government accountable and responsive.

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

I admire Bill Nelson’s work as a Florida Democrat. He focused on practical solutions for working families, supported space and tech industries in our district, and stayed grounded in the needs of everyday Floridians. I aim to model that balance of vision, advocacy, and responsiveness.

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

One story that has stuck with me comes from working with people navigating healthcare and accessibility challenges in our community. I’ve seen parents struggling to get their children proper support, people with disabilities facing barriers in education and employment, and families burdened by medical costs. These experiences are personal to me because I see them in my neighbors and in the people I interact with every day. They’ve reinforced why I’m running — to fight for real solutions, accountability, and a government that actually listens and acts for its people.

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

Compromise can be necessary, but not at the expense of fundamental rights or the wellbeing of people. You don’t compromise on healthcare, civil rights, or safety. Principled compromise means finding solutions where it doesn’t harm the most vulnerable.

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

This power gives the House a critical role in shaping fair and equitable taxation and funding priorities. I would use it to ensure that revenue supports working families, affordable healthcare, education, infrastructure, and essential social services — not giveaways to corporations or special interests. It’s an opportunity to invest in the people of Florida’s 8th District and the nation.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House should use investigative powers to hold government and institutions accountable, uncover wrongdoing, and ensure transparency. Investigations should be thorough, nonpartisan, and focused on protecting the public, maintaining trust in government, and enforcing laws fairly.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Brevard Community Organizing, Jessica Travis of Defend Brevard, more to come.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

One story that has stayed with me is from a parent struggling to get proper support for their child with disabilities. They shared how difficult it was navigating schools, healthcare, and advocacy systems that often failed them. Hearing their frustration and resilience was deeply moving and reinforced why I’m running — to fight for systems that actually work for families, protect civil rights, and ensure no one is left behind.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

One of my proudest accomplishments is raising my children. They are incredibly intelligent, creative, and passionate, especially about music and band, which brings them so much joy. Watching them grow into thoughtful, capable, and kind individuals has been the most rewarding part of my life, and it inspires me every day to work for a better future for all families.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The U.S. should lead in ethical, responsible AI development, prioritizing safety, privacy, and fairness. AI should be used to improve healthcare, education, and public services, but strict regulations are needed to prevent misuse, bias, or harm to workers and vulnerable communities.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I would push for legislation that strengthens access to voting, protects the integrity of elections, and modernizes systems to be secure and transparent. This includes expanded vote-by-mail options, equitable polling access, secure and auditable technology, and measures to prevent voter suppression while ensuring all eligible voters can participate freely.

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.

Ballotpedia survey responses

Paul Dellinger did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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.

Paul Dellinger campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. House Florida District 8	Candidacy Declared primary	$2,705	$570
Grand total			$2,705	$570
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Election 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

External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Florida District 8

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 10, 2025

[show]

Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ashley Moody (R)

Rick Scott (R)

Representatives

District 1

Jimmy Patronis (R)

District 2

Neal Dunn (R)

District 3

Kat Cammack (R)

District 4

Aaron Bean (R)

District 5

John Rutherford (R)

District 6

Randy Fine (R)

District 7

Cory Mills (R)

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (R)

District 9

Darren Soto (D)

District 10

Maxwell Frost (D)

District 11

Daniel Webster (R)

District 12

Gus Bilirakis (R)

District 13

Anna Luna (R)

District 14

Kathy Castor (D)

District 15

Laurel Lee (R)

District 16

Vern Buchanan (R)

District 17

Greg Steube (R)

District 18

Scott Franklin (R)

District 19

Byron Donalds (R)

District 20

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

District 21

Brian Mast (R)

District 22

Lois Frankel (D)

District 23

Jared Moskowitz (D)

District 24

Frederica Wilson (D)

District 25

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

District 26

Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

District 27

Maria Elvira Salazar (R)

District 28

Carlos Gimenez (R)

Republican Party (22)

Democratic Party (8)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 10, 2025

[1]

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Paul Dellinger

Contents

Biography

Elections

2026

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 8

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 8

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 8

Endorsements

General election

General election for Florida House of Representatives District 8

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 8

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2026 Elections

2025 Elections

Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

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