Image: Wikimedia Commons (Florida Congressional District 1)
On January 13, John Frankman, a former Army officer and Special Forces Green Beret, announced his intention to run for Congress in Florida’s District 1—for the second time.
In November 2024, Frankman declared his candidacy for Congress, aiming to take the seat previously held by Matt Gaetz. However, just two weeks later, he withdrew from the race. The reason? President Donald Trump endorsed Jimmy Patronis, who subsequently won the election.
Frankman is a supporter of the MAGA movement and was optimistic that Trump’s endorsement of Patronis would lead to beneficial outcomes in Congress. However, according to Frankman, his performance has fallen short. And that’s why he’s vying for the seat once again.
I just announced I’m running for Congress in Florida’s 1st District. Even with a GOP majority, DC is broken and nothing is getting done.#FL01 is one of the most conservative districts in America — and it deserves a fighter, not a placeholder.
Let’s take our country back! pic.twitter.com/nLnCsGJZNp
— John Frankman (@JohnFrankmanFL) January 14, 2026
“As President Trump almost singlehandedly propels the country forward,” Frankman told The Gateway Pundit, “this has been one of the least productive sessions in Congress.” Florida’s District 1 is the most conservative in the state of Florida and one of the most conservative districts in the country. “It deserves a fighter, someone who is willing to go to Washington and get things done, not waiting to be told what to do, but to work hard on behalf of the American people and the citizens of northwest Florida.”
“Patronis simply doesn’t know the district well and I haven’t seen much support for the district,” argued Frankman. “Florida’s 1st congressional district is the most veteran, densely populated district in the country.”
He noted that the district is home to 90,000 veterans, making up 15 percent of the district’s overall population. For this reason, he asserted, “This district deserves someone who is going to take care of veterans.” The military installations in the area play a significant role in the economy, and it is essential for someone—preferably a veteran—to take action and support this, he added.
In addition to his backing for the military and veteran communities, Frankman acknowledges the needs of the average citizen, whom he believes deserves more than what they have been given over the past two years. “Seriously, we’re $38 trillion in debt, which means that if every man, woman, and child, were going pay it off equally, each would have to pay $110,000 to the federal government. Every taxpayer would have to pay $350,000,” he shared.
“The national debt is the root of the affordability crisis and bringing down this debt is one of my top priorities,” Frankman stated.
Another top priority for him is ensuring that the fight against illegal immigration remains a central focus for the administration. “The Trump administration has deported 605,000 illegals, and two million have self-deported,” he pointed out. “”However, due to the lax policies of the Biden administration, the country has seen the arrival of 10 to 20 million, possibly even more.
“We need to be working on mass deportations, and I would like to see legislation that makes it impossible for illegal immigrants to live and work here,” Frankman said. “We have established systems for those who wish to live and work in our country legally.”
“There should also be stricter restrictions, and harsher penalties, for individuals who are deported and then return illegally,” he added.
A third priority for Frankman is medical freedom. “With Covid-19, we just went through the greatest infringement upon our personal liberties within our lifetime.” According to him, mandates similar to those imposed during the pandemic should never have happened and should never occur again. “Never again,” he stated emphatically. “On top of that, drug companies need to be held accountable, and they need to be liable for harming the citizens of our country.”
“Bottomline,” Frankman said, “We need to be doing what is in America’s best interest, avoiding every threat of global infringement to our great country.”
“There are my priorities among many others,” said Frankman. “Florida, and the country for that matter, simply deserves better.”
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