FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2026
October 15, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 6 Florida Candidates Running for Election
Categories:
Congress, Election 2026, House
AFGE says the endorsed candidates are pro-labor champions who will fight for working people
RIVERDALE, Ga. –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of six candidates running to represent Florida at the federal and statewide levels in the 2026 election. The general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are Angie Nixon for U.S. Senate, David Jolly for governor, and the following candidates for the U.S. House: Bale Dalton (CD-7), Leela Gray (CD-13), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (CD-20),and Elliott Rodriguez (CD-27).
“As federal employees, our livelihood, safety, and ability to serve the American public depend entirely on leaders who respect public service and understand the dignity of labor,” said AFGE District 5 National Vice President Tatishka Thomas. “That is why AFGE is incredibly proud to announce our endorsement of these relentless advocates for working people.”
Angie Nixon, U.S. Senate
“Angie Nixon has served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2020 and stands with federal government employees and working people across all communities,” Thomas said. “She believes workers deserve fair treatment, good-paying jobs, strong workplace protections, and the opportunity to build a secure future for themselves and their families. Angie understands that federal employees and workers in every sector keep our communities, economy, and government running. Their contributions matter, and they deserve to have their voices heard and their rights respected.”
Bale Dalton, U.S. House (CD-7)
“Bale Dalton has answered the call to serve his entire career – in the Navy, at the State Department, and at NASA – and he understands that federal workers are the backbone of this country. AFGE is proud to stand with Bale because we trust him to stand up for working families and the public servants of Florida’s 7th District in Congress,” Thomas said.
Leela Gray, U.S. House (CD-13)
“Leela Gray is a retired Army brigadier general who spent more than 30 years in uniform, deploying to combat zones and leading our nation’s service members with integrity, discipline, and honor,” Thomas said. “Our union members go to work every day at VA hospitals and other federal agencies to serve our nation’s heroes. As a third-generation veteran herself, Leela knows the unique sacrifices our military families make and the high quality, fully funded care our veterans have rightfully earned.”
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. House (CD-20)
“Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a champion for the public servants who care for our veterans. As the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs, she has stood up for the VA employees who make sure veterans get the care they earned, and she has fought for the staffing and resources they need to do that job. She understands that when you attack the people who serve veterans, you hurt veterans. She is always accessible to our local union leaders, and she has stood with us as we face unprecedented attacks from the Trump administration. AFGE is proud to endorse her,” Thomas said.
Elliott Rodriguez, U.S. House (CD-27)
“Elliott Rodriguez is an award-winning journalist based in Miami who understands the struggles of everyday workers and the critical role our federal employees play in keeping our communities safe and functioning. He has proven himself to be a fierce advocate of fair wages, safe working conditions, and collective bargaining rights,” Thomas said.
David Jolly, Florida Governor
“David Jolly is a Florida native and former U.S. representative who is ready to reshape Florida for the working class and make every day Floridians the priority of his policies. He is ready to fight on behalf of federal workers in the state of Florida as the statewide level official that we need,” Thomas said.
AFGE previously endorsed other candidates running to represent Florida in Congress.
More than 152,000 federal employees live in Florida – caring for veterans, supporting the military, ensuring the safety of our air travel, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents 110,000 federal employees in District 5, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Written by OPEIU 2 AFL-CIO
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