Casey Askar
Casey Askar was born in Iraq and came to the United States at age 7; his campaign says his family fled religious persecution. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 18 and later built businesses in franchising (his site cites brands such as Church's Chicken and Dunkin'), commercial real estate, energy and construction; he is a father of seven. He won the crowded Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary for the new 22nd District with about 31% of the vote, ahead of fintech entrepreneur Michael Carbonara (about 19%) and Keiser University vice chancellor Belinda Keiser (about 18%); Marine veteran David Burck also ran. President Trump endorsed him for the general election in September 2026, and the NRCC added him to its 'MAGA Majority' program. The Cook Political Report rates the redrawn district R+4.
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Republican primary with ~31% over Carbonara (~19%), Keiser (~18%) and Burck (Florida Politics; NBC6)
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Strongly agrees· stated position
Askar's campaign site says Washington's problem is spending, not insufficient taxation; his stated priorities include lowering taxes and regulations and reducing federal spending.
"Washington's problem is not that it taxes too little, but that it spends too much"
Immigration Leans agree· stated position
Askar says President Trump's 'merit-based America First immigration policy needs to be kept in place' and lists securing the border among his priorities. A specific position on large-scale deportation was not found.
"President Trump's merit-based America First immigration policy needs to be kept in place"
Abortion Strongly disagrees· stated position
In a candidate survey Askar said human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death, and that embryos created through artificial methods should be protected from purposeful destruction.
"human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death"
Guns Leans disagree· stated position
Askar's campaign says that as a congressman he 'will protect 2nd Amendment rights.' No position on specific measures such as red-flag laws or the 21 purchase age was found.
"will protect 2nd Amendment rights"
Elections & voting Leans disagree· stated position
Askar supports mandatory Real ID and immigration-status verification to vote 'so that only American citizens can vote,' which would add a new registration/voting requirement.
"so that only American citizens can vote"
Crime & policing Leans agree· stated position
Askar lists supporting law enforcement among his campaign priorities; no detailed position on sentencing or police funding was found.
Energy & utilities Leans disagree· stated position
Askar supports 'unleashing' U.S. domestic energy production to reduce reliance on foreign oil; no statement on renewable energy or utility-rate oversight was found.
Trump administration Strongly agrees· stated position
Askar's campaign describes him as 'backing Trump agenda'; President Trump endorsed him in September 2026 and the NRCC placed him in its 'MAGA Majority' program.
"backing Trump agenda"
No public position found on 9 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Health care, Social Security & Medicare, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Gender identity laws, Tariffs & trade, Ukraine, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Reduce federal spending and regulation — Askar says he would cut federal spending, lower regulations and expand job opportunities, citing his experience employing thousands of workers.
- Domestic energy production — He supports expanding U.S. domestic energy production for the economy and national security and to reduce reliance on foreign oil.
- Voter ID / citizenship verification — He supports mandatory Real ID and immigration-status verification to vote.
- Parental involvement in education — His priorities include expanding parental involvement and educational opportunities.
- Support for law enforcement — He lists supporting law enforcement among his priorities.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Endorsed by President Trump for the Nov. 2026 general election (Truth Social post quoted by WLRN and WINK).
- Added to the NRCC's 2026 'MAGA Majority' program in September 2026.
- Won the Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary with about 31% in a multi-candidate field.
Endorsements (as reported)
- President Donald Trump
- CPAC
- Gen. Michael Flynn (primary)