Austin Rogers is preparing to represent Florida's 2nd Congressional District after defeating Democrat Amanda Marie Green in a closely contested race to replace retiring Congressman Neal Dunn.
For former schoolmate and friend Sarah Marler, Rogers' victory is an exciting moment for the community.
“Florida District Two has represented him well with saying yes. We want him to step into the shoes that Dr. Dunn was in," Marler says. "You can't even describe the energy in the room. It's truly just electric."
The race against Green was close but not a shocking result for Rogers. After the primary, Rogers told supporters he knew the general election would be a fight.
“This district encompasses Tallahassee, the entire state capital, which is a Democrat stronghold," Rogers said. "So this isn't as conservative as a district as you might think. So I'm going to need your help down the homestretch. Our family is going to need your help."
Now, he says he plans to spend the next two years strengthening his support across the Panhandle.
For Matt Devito, deputy city engineer for Panama City, the values Rogers represents are a win for the region.
“We're lucky to have him. Not congratulations to him, it's congratulations to us,” Devito says.
Faith has also played a prominent role in Rogers' campaign. He says he led his team in prayer and daily devotionals, built his campaign around Psalm 127 and opened his victory speech by thanking God. Callaway Commissioner Ken Ayers Jr. says those values are among the reasons he supported Rogers.
“He's a local boy and good values and just a good guy," Ayers says, "and really glad to see him win and take Dr. Dunn's position."
Rogers says he also plans to hold himself and his colleagues in Congress accountable when it comes to government spending. His previous experience as general counsel for Senator Rick Scott taught him the importance of listening to constituents, he says.
“I'm always going to be someone that listens. That doesn't mean I'm always going to make this or that decision, but I will always listen to them and hear someone out, and I will always be accessible to be able to listen to them,” Rogers says.
Panama City Commissioner Brian Grainger says it’s not just the availability of Rogers, but his authenticity that stands out.
“When I would sit down and talk to him and talk through some of these issues in a very private setting, everything you see, what you see is what you get with Austin," Grainger says. "I think people want authenticity. People want somebody who's real. They're tired of politicians who just say the thing to get the vote, and Austin is not that guy."
Rogers says he wants to work with both sides of the aisle to best represent the district, including meeting with his general election opponent to hear her perspective.
“Priority number one is going to be sitting down for coffee, sitting down for a meeting with my opponent, hearing about her heart, her vision for this district, hearing about how I can learn from her," Rogers says. "Obviously, she and I share very different visions about what's best for the future of this district, best for the future of our country, for our children. But I have a lot to learn and I recognize that, and I'm looking forward to learning from her."
Rogers has already started meeting with local government leaders, including Wakulla County Commissioner and nurse practitioner Valerie Russell.
“He came to my office, my little office in Crawfordville, and he wanted to know, you know, what were my concerns? What were the community's concerns according to health care? And he was true and genuine. I really think he's going to fight for what is right,” Russell says.
Rogers says he is prioritizing passage of the SAFE KIDS Act, which would prohibit surrogacy arrangements involving citizens of designated foreign adversary nations, including China. He also says he plans to fight rising living costs by reducing what he considers wasteful spending at the congressional level.
