Three GOP candidates spar for congressional seat opening with Rep. Posey's retirement
For the first time in 16 years, Brevard County will have a new representative in Congress, following Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Posey's decision to not seek reelection to a ninth term this year.
But there is no shortage of candidates who want to succeed Posey in U.S. House District 8, with three Republicans facing off in a GOP primary on Aug. 20 and two Democrats competing in a Democratic primary that day.
The Republican candidates ― Joe Babits, Mike Haridopolos and John Hearton — are in the midst of an intense campaign for a spot on the Nov. 5 ballot. All are pushing their conservative stances.
One veteran, two newcomers
Everything to know about 2024 elections: Here's your ultimate voter guide to 2024 elections, candidates, issues in Brevard County
Haridopolos, a resident of Indian Harbour Beach, is the most well-known of the three, having represented Brevard County in both the Florida House and Florida Senate, including two years as Senate president. Haridopolos has the most money available to run his campaign. This month, he released the results of an internal poll, indicating he has strong support among voters. And Haridopolos also had the most major endorsements — including from former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida's two U.S. senators, U.S. House Republican leadership and Posey.
But first-time candidates Babits and Hearton aim to give Haridopolos a run for his money, with Hearton in particular aggressively going after Haridopolos' background and his donors.
Babits is a corporate attorney who lives in Indian River Shores, near Vero Beach.
Hearton is the chairman of the board of GeoWireless, a wireless infrastructure and cybersecurity company. He lives in Satellite Beach.
The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of a Democratic primary between attorney Sandy Kennedy and West Melbourne City Council member Daniel McDow.
House District 8 includes all of Brevard and Indian River counties, plus part of eastern Orange County.
The position has a two-year term, and an annual salary of $174,000.
Haridopolos entered the race in April on the final day of candidate filing — on the same day Posey announced he was not seeking reelection, and would be endorsing Haridopolos.
Here's a look at the three Republican candidates:
Joe Babits
Babits, an attorney for more than three decades, says he is running to help clean up what he sees as a mess in Washington, including dealings with illegal immigration.
He said he has "a unique insight into the 'swamp' " in Washington and its operations, through his more than 13 years of working as an attorney at U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Babits' top issues: One of Babits' biggest issues is securing the border, including denying asylum to those who cross the Southern border illegally; requiring Mexico to stop border crossings or face sanctions; and mobilizing the U.S. military to secure the border.
He wants to "end the Deep State by identifying all federal workers as at-will employees," who can be removed from their positions, "making it easier to hold bureaucrats accountable." In addition, he would like to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education, as well as set limits on how long staff of the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence agencies can remain in their job.
He also wants to eliminate deficit spending. Toward that end, Babits said would reduce the salary of members of Congress and the president for each year that the national budget is in deficit.
To help military veterans, Babits said he would sponsor legislation making adequate housing and medical care "a fundamental right of those who have served our country, while also providing mortgage-free housing to surviving family members of fallen service members."
Mike Haridopolos
Haridopolos touts his experience as a reason for people to vote for him.
"I know how the system works," Haridopolos said. "I have a track record. I can deliver for Brevard and Indian River counties from Day 1. I can go to Washington, and hit the ground running. We need the most capable people to go to Washington. I think the contrast is pretty clear."
Haridopolos said voters should choose the candidate who "has been tested under fire" — who figuratively knows how to build a barn, not just one who seeks to tear it down.
He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2003, then a member of the Florida Senate 2003 from 2012, including serving as Senate president from 2010 to 2012.
Haridopolos, though, dismisses allegations by his opponents that he is a career politician, noting that he was in elective office for 12 years, but has been out of office for the last 12 years.
After leaving office in 2012, Haridopolos has owned and operated MJH Consulting, a business and political consulting company. He says, if elected, he will sell that business.
Haridopolos' top issues: Among the issues Haridopolos said he is focusing on are inflation, the Southern border, the Indian River Lagoon and space.
"Our country is in trouble," Haridopolos said. "Our nation is at a crossroads. There are border issues, inflation. It's a powder keg."
"To lower prices, we must reduce wasteful government spending and become energy-independent to bring down gas prices," Haridopolos said. "Gas prices are the major reason why food and restaurant prices are so high and are crushing families."
He said he also will push to "continue to grow the space industry, so our kids can enjoy the jobs of the future."
John Hearton
Among the reasons Hearton said he is running for the House seat is to be an alternative to "career politicians" in Washington.
"It's scary," Hearton said, referring to Haridopolos. "He was a teacher, turned career politician, turned career lobbyist."
Hearton added, when he initially decided to run against Posey, "I just felt we needed more of a tiger than a kitty-cat" representing the Space Coast and Treasure Coast in Congress.
Hearton didn't particularly care for the maneuver of Haridopolos becoming a candidate on the day Posey withdraw from the race and endorsed Haridopolos, all of which happened on the last day to file paperwork to run for Congress.
"It was handed off, almost like an anointment," Hearton said. "I didn't think it was the right way. It was a little sleazy."
Hearton said he wants "to bring this country back to the people, and back to the values of God, country, Florida and family."
Hearton concedes Haridopolos has the name recognition advantage.
"I'm not a household name," Hearton said. "I'm not a former career politician. I'm the anti-establishment candidate."
Hearton's top issues: Among Hearton's top national issues are pushing what he calls the America First Border Protection Act, which is legislation aimed at securing the United States' Southern border and enforcing immigration laws. It has various provisions he says will strengthen border security, enhance immigration enforcement and prioritize American interests.
He backs a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution; the elimination of political action committees; and a prohibition on "omnibus bills" so that no bill or joint resolution can be introduced or considered in either the House of Representatives or the Senate that contains more than one subject.
Among the local issues Hearton said he aims to tackle in Congress are fixing the Indian River Lagoon — with "action, not studies."
On health care, he would like to see the establishment of a research hospital in the area, through the coordination of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a university and private industry.
Endorsements
Babits: None mentioned.
Haridopolos: Donald Trump, former president of the United States and 2024 Republican presidential nominee; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott: U.S. Rep. Bill Posey; U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise; House Majority Whip Tom Emmer; House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik; Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey; plus more than 30 other locally elected officials in Brevard and in Indian River counties.
Hearton: Former Brevard County Commissioner Curt Smith; Born to Ride for 45; Ultra MAGA Patriots; plus representatives of various small businesses. Hearton said he did not pursue "political endorsements."
Campaign financing
According to the latest available Federal Elections Commission data, Haridopolos leads in campaign fundraising. Here are the numbers:
Babits: $153,349.15 raised; $112,138.42 spent; $41,210.73 cash on hand. Of the money raised, $151,100 was from Babits.
Haridopolos: $980,131.79 raised; $221,813.88 spent; $758,317.91 cash on hand. He put $15,000 of his own money into the race. Among outside contributors are the political committees of A. Duda & Sons (developers of Viera), Brightline, SpaceX, The GEO Group (a developer of private prisons) and U.S. Sugar. Posey's campaign committee gave Haridopolos' campaign $4,000.
Separately, the Fight for Florida Political Action Committee is working to elect Haridopolos, independent of the Haridopolos campaign itself. Fight for Florida is being funded with a $200,000 contribution from the Friends of Bill Posey political committee.
Hearton: $270,355.10 raised; $227,354.03 spent; $43,001.07 cash on hand. Of the money raised, $240,000 was from Hearton. That includes $100,000 that Hearton initially donated to the independent super-PAC Make America Great Again Inc. that supports Trump, then was later refunded to Hearton by the PAC.
Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at [email protected], on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54
More on the candidates
Joe Babits
Hometown: Indian River Shores, near Vero Beach
Age: 61
Occupation: Attorney for Shell USA, with the role of lead U.S. securities and disclosure lawyer
Education: Bachelor of Arts in economics, George Washington University; Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in finance and investments, George Washington University; Juris Doctor, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.
Political/government/civic experience: Worked more than 13 years at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Served as counsel to the commissioner and special counsel in the Office of Chief Counsel in the Division of Corporate Finance. In his current job, he has represented Shell before the SEC, Congress and the U.S. Justice Department.
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 864-504-1640
Website or Facebook page: babitsforcongress.com
Mike Haridopolos
Hometown: Indian Harbour Beach
Age: 54
Occupation: Business and political consultant, author
Education: Stetson University, Bachelor of Arts, 1992; University of Arkansas, Master of Arts, 1993;
Political/government/civic experience: Member of the Florida House of Representatives (2000 to 2003); member of the Florida Senate (2003 to 2012); president of the Senate (2010 to 2012)
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-525-1861
Website or Facebook page: www.mike4congress.com
John Hearton
Hometown: Satellite Beach
Age: 60
Occupation: Chairman of the board, GeoWireless
Education: Master of Business Administration, Jack Welch Management Institute
Political/government/civic experience: Career working with government agencies, getting government agencies to collaborate, preventing U.S. assets from being sold to the Chinese Communist Party (briefed chair of Defense Appropriations Committee).
Civic: Lagoon support with Brevard Zoo, Marine Resources Council and Rotary; regular cleanup of area streets (by schools); feeding the homeless (Under the Bridge Ministries), orientation guide for Honor Flight.
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone number: 321-429-2068
Website or Facebook page: https://www.HeartonForCongress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HeartonForCongress/
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Three Republicans running to succeed Posey in congressional primary
