Florida 5th District

John Rutherford (R) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.

• 

  John Rutherford

  Republican · holds this seat today

  A

  Liberty Score A

  On the liberty side in 120 of 127 votes and bills.

  Raised $913,650 since January 2025: 62% from PACs and other committees, 36% from people, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov

  Every vote behind this grade
• RG

  Rachel Grage

  Democrat · biomedical engineer, community activist

  F

  Liberty Score F

  45 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Grage has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Grage.

  Raised $448,143 since January 2025: 99% from people, 1% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov

  See each one, with its source

Higher on Liberty Score: John Rutherford. John Rutherford: A, 96 out of 100 from recorded votes. Rachel Grage: F, 45 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.

Voting in Florida: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.

Side by side

A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.

Rachel Grage, on the record

I have no votes in Congress to count for Grage, so the grade above comes from this list: what Grage has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.

• August 20, 2026 · StatementTyranny

  Rachel Grage wrote that she would pass the War Powers Act to end the war with the Islamic Republic.

  “We will follow the constitution by passing the War Powers Act and ending Donald Trump's stupid, deadly, costly forever-war with Iran.”

  By the test I use for votes

  FAgainst liberty

  A war powers measure aimed at stopping action against Iran is the against side of the Iran regime measure.

  Source: Rachel Grage campaign newsletter, Let's show Rutherford the door!Discuss this
• July 26, 2025 · StatementFree speech

  Rachel Grage wrote that Florida's book bans and curriculum censorship are a tool to silence dissenting views and control what the next generation sees as truth.

  “Why? Because these bans aren't just about books — they're about shaping narratives, rallying a political base, and controlling what the next generation sees as truth. For those in power, it's a potent tool: silence dissenting perspectives, stir up outrage, and present yourself as the defender of “traditional values.””

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Speaking against government book bans and censorship is the with side of the free speech measure.

  Source: Rachel Grage newsletter, Veto Power or Power Trip?Discuss this
• August 2024 · Candidate questionnaireFree markets

  In her 2024 run for the Florida House, said she would strengthen state oversight of insurance rate filings and stop rate increases she judges unjustified.

  “I will propose legislation to strengthen the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to provide more rigorous oversight of insurance rate filings and prevent unjustified increases.”

  By the test I use for votes

  FAgainst liberty

  Government review and blocking of price increases is against liberty on free markets (price controls).

  Source: News4JAX, 2024 voter's guide: Florida House District 16 (her own answers)Discuss this
• August 14, 2026 · StatementFree markets

  Rachel Grage wrote that she would revoke the tariffs imposed by the president.

  “we will revoke his illegal tariffs causing inflation to skyrocket”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Opposing broad tariffs is the with side of the economy measure, the same call as for any candidate.

  Source: Rachel Grage campaign newsletter, John Rutherford is wrong 99.1% of the time.Discuss this
• August 20, 2026 · StatementBorders

  Rachel Grage wrote that she would pass immigration reform with pathways to citizenship.

  “We can and must secure our borders and pass immigration reform with clear and obtainable pathways to citizenship.”

  By the test I use for votes

  FAgainst liberty

  A path to citizenship for people here illegally is the against side of the migration measure, although the same sentence also backs secure borders.

  Source: Rachel Grage campaign newsletter, Let's show Rutherford the door!Discuss this
• October 2026 · Her campaign siteBorders

  Her campaign site says to keep the borders secure through enforcement, alongside a fair and humane system that respects due process.

  “Ensure America's borders are secure through smart, efficient enforcement, while maintaining a fair and humane immigration system that respects due process.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Securing the border and enforcing the law is with liberty on borders; the same sentence adds due process but names no amnesty or limit on deportations.

  Source: Rachel Grage for Congress, home page, What I stand forDiscuss this

Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.