Republican candidates vying to fill the seat left vacant by Congressman Neal Dunn’s planned retirement participated in a debate Monday at Tallahassee's Capital Tiger Bay Club. They’re running to represent the Second Congressional District, which sprawls through North Florida from Tallahassee to Panama City.
Seven candidates have filed to run. Six attended the debate.
During their appearance before Tiger Bay members, the contenders agreed far more than they disagreed. All expressed similar views about tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump’s administration.
"The tariffs were in response to bad policies. We have to put our country first,” says candidate Audie Rowell, who has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience.
Reducing the cost of fuel and other consumer goods is another issue most candidates agreed on. A few blamed the Biden administration for the current high costs. Evan Power, who is running for the seat and who also chairs the Republican Party of Florida, says he thinks high prices are linked to overall government spending.
"The most dangerous thing for (increasing) costs is the debt of our nation,” Power said. “If we do not reduce that, we'll pay more and more."
All of the candidates also signaled favor for a smaller federal government.
"About half of (federal) departments shouldn't be there. We should put those things back in the hands of states,” said Keith Gross, businessman and U.S. National Guard veteran.
On the topic of immigration, all expressed strong support for strong enforcement efforts. Luke Murphy, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, said ICE agents need more resources to capture and deport those in the nation without legal status.
"All they were trying to do is to kick out the murderers and rapists first and we had Democrats trying to burn our country down," Murphy said.
A discussion on term limits brought one of the few points of divergence. All but one of the candidates favored congressional term limits. As an elected school district superintendent, Jim Norton says he’s not a fan of the limit the Florida Legislature imposed on school board members.
"By the time they figure out the job, they're termed out the door," Norton said.
There was but one flashpoint during the debate. Norton questioned the residency of attorney and former senior staffer for Senator Rick Scott, Austin Rogers. Rogers fought back—asserting his home is in the Sunshine State.
In true bi-partisan spirit, the Tiger Bay Club will host a future debate for the Democratic candidates running in the Second Congressional District.
Republican candidates vying for the seat include:
Audie Rowell: Tallahassee, 40 years of local law enforcement experience.
Keith Gross: Panama City, businessman, U.S. National Guard veteran.
Luke Murphy: Tallahassee, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
Evan Power: Tallahassee, Chair, Republican Party of Florida.
Austin Rogers: Panama City, attorney, former senior staffer for Senator Rick Scott.
Jim Norton: Port St. Joe, Gulf County school superintendent.
The 7th Republican running for the seat, Jefferson County farmer Nick Lewis, did not attend the debate.
