Replacing:

Bill Posey (R)

WORK HISTORY:

WOFL-TV (Political Analyst/Contributor); MJH Consulting Co. (Founder/President); Stonach Group (Consultant); University of Florida (Instructor); Brevard Community College (Instructor); Florida State Senate (Member, District 26 / Senate President); Florida House of Representatives (Member, District 30) [i]

EDUCATION:

Diploma, Garden City (NY) High School; BA, Stetson University; MA, University of Arkansas; PhD, University of Arkansas [ii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Illegal Immigration; Fix Our Economy; Indian River Lagoon; Space; Crime & Public Safety; The Military & Veterans; Term Limits; Healthcare; National Debt; Weaponization of Justice [iii]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

In a debate, Haridopolos said he drew the line on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and that he would support exceptions in cases of rape, incest, human trafficking, or when the mother’s life is in danger. He also said he opposed Florida’s proposed Constitutional Amendment 4, describing it as “abortion on demand,” while arguing, “what we want to do is have a culture of life.” He supports the right to in-vitro fertilization. [iv]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Haridopolos’ campaign platform describes addressing the “catastrophic crisis” at the southern border as his top priority, while decrying the Biden administration for allowing “record numbers of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs to pour across the southern border.” He touts his work in the state legislature to defeat a measure to allow illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s license.[v] He also criticized the system that allows asylum seekers to enter and wait for court dates, advocated for measures to secure the border, and offered support for a “merit-based immigration system.” [vi]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

On his campaign website, Haridopolos attacks the Biden administration for “out-of-control inflation, higher taxes, and reckless spending.” He opposes “burdensome” federal and state regulations and pledges to “Stand against federal mandates that hurt small businesses.” He also calls for reducing gas prices, describing low energy prices as the “key to economic growth.” During a recent debate, he argued that his work in the Florida Senate has saved residents $30 billion since 2009 and has touted his experience managing a $4 billion state budget shortfall without raising taxes. [vii] [viii] [ix]

TAXES:

Haridopolos advocates for protecting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from expiring and touts his work sponsoring Florida’s constitutional amendment reducing property taxes. [x] [xi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

The son of a law enforcement agent, Haridopolos pledged to “always “Back the Blue”” and was endorsed by the Brevard and Indian River County sheriffs. [xii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Haridopolos supports an “All of the Above” energy policy, calling for a “return to the Trump policies that made America energy independent.” [xiii] He supports policies that incentivize energy growth, including oil reserves, but is also focused on local environmental protection in the Indian River Lagoon. [xiv] He said that he would vote to sustain the National Estuary Program and that he would join the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus. He supports fracking and the Keystone Pipeline. [xv]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Haridopolos highlights space exploration as a national security issue, describing it as the “ultimate military high ground” and warning about ceding the void in space investments to China and Russia.[xvi] He has called for increasing aid to Israel. [xvii]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Haridopolos’ campaign platform calls for “solutions that provide affordable, patient-centered healthcare,” and describes the Affordable Care Act as a “dangerous step toward government-controlled, single-payer healthcare, which undermines the free market.” His proposals include “empowering individuals with tax benefits,” legalizing the purchase of insurance across state lines, and blocking grants to states. He pledges to “fight the Democrats’ reckless tax and spending agenda” to preserve Social Security and Medicare. [xviii]

DEMOCRACY:

While Haridopolos’ campaign did not focus on election issues, he has called for term limits and decried the “weaponization of our justice system.” [xix]