FL-05 Republican nominee?
$11.1K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age73 years old (Sep 2, 1952)
GenderMale
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LocationFlorida
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationFlorida State University (criminology)
Notable personal detailsJohn Henry Rutherford is a U.S. Representative from Florida’s 5th Congressional District and a Republican. He previously served as Sheriff of Duval County (Jacksonville) and spent decades in law enforcement. He has described himself as a Florida State University graduate in criminology and an FBI National Academy graduate.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
John Rutherford has supported major Republican tax-cut legislation and described the 2017 tax overhaul as delivering tax relief for middle-class families and reducing the tax burden on small businesses. His congressional voting record includes a yea vote on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and he issued statements praising the legislation for boosting take-home pay and business growth.
Healthcare
Opposes elements of the Affordable Care Act and emphasizes increasing choice and affordability through market-oriented reforms and targeted bipartisan measures such as drug-price transparency and protections for pre-existing conditions. Has sponsored and cosponsored bills focused on prescription drug pricing, targeted program expansions (e.g., medically necessary nutrition, mental-health reentry care), and has previously supported efforts to repeal the ACA.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement measures while backing targeted immigration reforms such as a limited pathway for certain visa-holders. Has cosponsored legislation to codify Remain in Mexico and supported funding mechanisms for a border wall, and has sought action on migrant flights to Jacksonville.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
John Rutherford has supported federal restrictions on abortion (including voting for a bill to prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks) and has described abortion as violence against children. He has received high marks from national pro-life groups and has participated in Republican letters and actions defending restrictions and conscience protections related to abortion.
Climate & Energy
Has sponsored and supported legislation to block offshore oil and gas leasing and seismic testing off Florida’s coast, and has repeatedly voted to prohibit offshore drilling in appropriations. Public record does not show support for aggressive national decarbonization measures (e.g., Green New Deal) or clear endorsements of major federal climate targets; overall record mixes coastal-protection actions with votes that align with broader Republican energy positions.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports the Second Amendment and generally opposes broad gun-registration measures, while backing targeted measures focused on preventing violence such as red flag laws, Fix NICS improvements, a ban/review of bump stocks, and the STOP School Violence Act to fund threat identification and school safety. Emphasizes focusing on identifying dangerous individuals rather than large new restrictions on lawful gun ownership.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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