Who's running in Florida's 7th congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Keeping taxes low and pursuing American energy independence to bring costs down.
Maintaining U.S. leadership in medical innovation while lowering health care costs.
Parental rights, school choice and curriculum transparency.
Support for law enforcement.
Enforcing immigration law while recognising the country's immigrant heritage.
Support for the military and veterans.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former broadcast journalist; twenty years in Florida, fourteen in this district.
Defeated incumbent Rep. Cory Mills in the August 18, 2026 Republican primary.
Endorsed by Governor Ron DeSantis, both district sheriffs and members of Florida's congressional delegation.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
He beat a sitting member of his own party by twelve points, and Republicans who serve alongside that member endorsed against a House colleague on the strength of his character — a rare step. Both county sheriffs backed him too.
— Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos; Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma
He is running to represent the whole district rather than one party: "We're not slamming our opponent. We want to move forward together, and not just as Republicans, but as a district... Independents are going to decide this race in November." His platform is lowering living costs, supporting law enforcement and expanding tax benefits for health care.
— Ryan Elijah, quoted by Central Florida Public Media
Arguments against
"Ryan Elijah has said he supports the illegal tariff taxes that are making life unaffordable. He's so out of touch with Floridians he's said the economy is in 'a great spot' right now" — and he "supports the war in Iran, a war that's sinking our economy and endangering our service men and women with no strategic end in sight."
— Bale Dalton
He would be "another rubber-stamp in D.C. for the exact same policies": he called tariffs that add at least $3,100 a year to a Florida family's costs "working", and was "honored" to be endorsed by the members responsible for health care cuts affecting 1.6 million Floridians.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "The Case Against Ryan Elijah"
What we couldn’t verify
He has held no elected office, so there is no voting record to set against his campaign's positions.
His position on the ethics and finance investigations facing the member he defeated was not established from the sources found.
Putting Floridians first: lowering costs and delivering results rather than playing politics.
Bringing down prescription drug costs, particularly for seniors.
Ending the war with Iran; he marked its six-month anniversary with a call to end it.
"Country over politics," his campaign's slogan.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Navy captain; 24 years of service, thirteen on active duty.
Flew medical evacuation helicopters in Iraq and directed combat air support in Afghanistan.
NASA chief of staff, responsible for an organisation of 16,500 people.
Worked at the State Department and for Senator Bill Nelson.
Graduated top of his class at the United States Naval Academy.
Won the August 18, 2026 Democratic primary.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Dalton by name could be found: not from Ryan Elijah or his campaign, not from the National Republican Congressional Committee, not from his two Democratic primary opponents, and not from Central Florida news coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, none is presented for him either, rather than showing his own campaign's case unanswered. This is a competitive seat and that is likely to change as the general election proceeds.
His positions on immigration and on foreign policy beyond Iran were not stated in material available.
Libertarian Party candidate for the 7th District, qualified for the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Dennison by name could be found, and no published case for him: no campaign site was located and he has drawn no coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, none is presented for him either.
His positions, fundraising and any endorsements were not reported in material available.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
The Republican incumbent, Cory Mills, is not on the November ballot: he sought re-election and lost the August 18, 2026 Republican primary to Ryan Elijah, 46% to 34%, while under a House Ethics Committee inquiry and a Justice Department investigation. Democrat Bale Dalton and Libertarian Christopher Dennison are also on the ballot. Florida enacted a new congressional map in May 2026, but districts 1 through 7 were left unchanged; this one covers Seminole County and southern Volusia County. Both parties treat the seat as competitive. Roster from the Florida qualifying lists as reported by Politics1 and Wikipedia. Arguments are shown for Elijah, whom his opponent and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have both attacked by name. No published criticism of Dalton or Dennison by name was found, so neither column is filled for them; their positions and records are in their profiles.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Florida ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Florida Division of Elections.