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Who Is Running in Florida Congressional District 18th in 2026?

Last updated: March 4, 2026

Scott Franklin

(Incumbent)
R·Republican

Economy

High

Scott Franklin supports economic growth by advocating for lower taxes, reduced regulations, and decreased government spending. He believes these policies create jobs, stimulate the economy, and provide greater security for families and businesses. He voted against the Democrat inflation package and, as a former Lakeland commissioner, opposed tax hikes.

Immigration

Low

Scott Franklin opposes noncitizen voting and supports voter identification laws, stating that allowing individuals to vote without identity verification diminishes lawful voters' voices and opens the door to non-citizens influencing elections. He emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the voting process.

Healthcare

High

Scott Franklin opposes the extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, stating that continuing to provide taxpayer money to a broken system is not a solution and that lasting reforms are needed to reduce costs. He supports market-based solutions, expanding health savings accounts (HSAs), and increasing access to telehealth services. He also advocates for ensuring Medicare continues to deliver for older Americans, including lower prescription drug costs. He voted 'Yea' on H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act."

Democratic Candidate

D · Democratic

No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.

IssueScott Franklin
Economy

Scott Franklin supports economic growth by advocating for lower taxes, reduced regulations, and decreased government spending. He believes these policies create jobs, stimulate the economy, and provide greater security for families and businesses. He voted against the Democrat inflation package and, as a former Lakeland commissioner, opposed tax hikes.

High
Immigration

Scott Franklin opposes noncitizen voting and supports voter identification laws, stating that allowing individuals to vote without identity verification diminishes lawful voters' voices and opens the door to non-citizens influencing elections. He emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the voting process.

Low
Healthcare

Scott Franklin opposes the extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, stating that continuing to provide taxpayer money to a broken system is not a solution and that lasting reforms are needed to reduce costs. He supports market-based solutions, expanding health savings accounts (HSAs), and increasing access to telehealth services. He also advocates for ensuring Medicare continues to deliver for older Americans, including lower prescription drug costs. He voted 'Yea' on H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act."

High
Climate & Energy

Research pending more substantial sources.

Low
Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Scott Franklin is pro-life and supports restricting abortion access. He opposes the Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment for 2026. His position aligns with anti-abortion groups, as indicated by his presence on the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America website.

Medium
Foreign Policy

Scott Franklin voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing the need to pursue peace through strength on the world stage, strengthen posture in the Indo-Pacific, and reinforce America’s commitment to allies. He also supported the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science; Interior and Environment; and Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which bolsters nuclear deterrence and overall military readiness.

High
Education

Scott Franklin voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills, which allocated funding for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments. He supports local control over educational decisions, stating that a "one-size-fits-all federal approach" is not appropriate. He has also condemned student loan bailouts and sought accountability from the Department of Education.

High
Gun Policy

Scott Franklin strongly supports Second Amendment rights and opposes measures that would limit law-abiding gun owners. He advocates for strict enforcement of existing gun laws to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of criminals. Franklin has indicated his intention to vote against defense spending bills if they include "red flag" provisions.

High

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