Two Central Florida Congressional candidates who entered their races just ahead of the deadline last month and face crowded primaries have jumpstarted their campaigns by pouring $1 million or more of their own money into their coffers.
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The candidates, both Republicans and running in separate districts, have amassed two of the biggest war chests in the area, according to the most recent quarterly financial reports, which were released this week.
One of the candidates, political newcomer Joe Strada, has loaned his campaign $5 million and already committed at least $1 million on a TV ad campaign called “Full of Crap.”
Thanks to that loan, Strada, whose campaign website boasts he is a “100% supporter of President Trump,” has more to spend on his campaign this year than most candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives across the country, including many incumbents, according to Federal Elections Commission reports.
Strada is running to represent Congressional District 11, now represented by Rep. Dan Webster, who announced in April he is not seeking re-election. Webster’s unexpected retirement, as well as a mid-cycle redistricting in Florida that is expected to help Republicans win four more seats in Congress, has shaken up Central Florida’s political scene, likely prompting last-minute entrants into several of the races.
And newcomers need name recognition in order for their campaigns to gain traction, said Aubrey Jewett, an associate professor of political science at the University of Central Florida.
“I think, for wealthy people, it’s pretty common that they invest pretty heavily in their own campaign the first time they run, especially if they’re an outsider,” Jewett said. “Money is not the only resource, but it’s usually the most valuable resource when you’re running for office.”
Another Central Florida candidate, Dan Green, loaned himself $1 million, the reports show. Green is running for Congressional District 9, which is currently represented by Rep. Darren Soto.
That district, which used to favor Democrats, now tilts Republican. It still takes in much of Osceola County and part of southern Orange County but now stretches as far south as Glades County and extends east to Vero Beach.
A veteran who was working at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, Green’s campaign has rolled out an ad that described him as a “conservative warrior” who will be a “proven fighter” for President Donald Trump.
“I didn’t fight radical extremists overseas just to stand by and watch left-wing extremists attack our freedoms here at home,” a statement from Green on his website says.
A consultant who represents both Strada and Green couldn’t be reached for comment on Thursday about the campaign loans.
One of Green’s GOP opponents, Thomas Chalifoux, also has loaned his campaign a significant sum, including $750,000 in May, $250,000 in March and $2 million in 2025, around the time he filed to run.
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Chalifoux, who won the Republican primary and unsuccessfully challenged Soto in 2024, is a veteran, former Osceola County School Board member and businessman. His life story is “one of service, discipline, accountability, and results,” according to his website.
Meanwhile, embattled Congressman Cory Mills, who is running in a third Central Florida district, raised just less than $60,000 in the most recent reporting period, which covers April, May and June. His best-funded opponent, Democrat Bale Dalton, brought in $510,000 during that same three months, according to a press release from Dalton’s campaign trumpeting the haul.
And one of Mills’ Republican challengers for District 7, former Fox 35 Orlando anchor Ryan Elijah, has the support of a few high-profile Central Florida donors, including attorney Dan Newlin. Elijah, who entered the race in April, raised just over $300,000 during the last reporting period, filings show.
Since Mills was first elected to Congress in 2022, his tenure has been marred by controversy: He is the subject of a House ethics investigation and has been accused of misrepresenting his military record, engaging in unethical business dealings, assaulting a girlfriend and stalking an ex-girlfriend. Colleagues from both sides of the aisle have called on the 45-year-old congressman to resign. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Further complicating matters for Mills is a suit filed by one of his Republican opponents, Michael Johnson, seeking to remove him from the August ballot, saying he didn’t properly sign and notarize a key election form. That case is to be settled by the end of the month.
Though incumbents have name recognition and hold a huge advantage in elections, scandals are among their biggest threats, Jewett said. The controversies swirling around Mills could tilt the race in his opponents’ favor.
“If you’re an incumbent and having trouble raising money because of ethical clouds throughout your tenure in office, that’s not a great sign for re-election,” Jewett said. “Some people do survive. Others do not.”
But the district, which includes all of Seminole County and the southern half of Volusia County, leans red, and that will help Mills in the general election, if he wins his primary.
Though Strada lives in Lake Mary, which is in Mills’ district, the businessman is running for the open seat created by Webster’s retirement. According to the U.S. Constitution, members of the U.S. House must live in the states where their districts are located once they are elected. But they are not required to live inside their district boundaries.
Strada’s website characterizes the candidate as a successful businessman. His website says he operates the largest privately held, family-owned air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing company in the country, with more than 4,000 employees and annual revenue exceeding $1.1 billion.
The TV ad launched last month features the candidate standing in front of one of his company’s utility vans.
“I’ve spent decades in the air-conditioning, electrical and plumbing business, so I can tell you, officially, Washington is full of crap,” Strada says at the start of the ad.
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He ended the ad by echoing one of Trump’s most famous campaign promises.
“I have all the tools to help drain the swamp,” Strada said.