James Martin
James Martin, 33, is a fourth-generation Floridian, U.S. Coast Guard veteran and former White House national security aide who served as chief of staff for national security affairs and executive secretary in the Office of the Vice President during the Biden-Harris administration. He launched his campaign against Rep. Brian Mast in 2025 and won the Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary by 359 votes (50.4% to 49.6%) over firefighter Bernard Taylor, who conceded after the AP called the race. He was endorsed by Kamala Harris.
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Democratic primary 50.4%-49.6% (359 votes out of nearly 48,000) over Bernard Taylor (Florida Politics; AP call reported by CBS12)
Campaign finance (FEC filings through 10/14/2026): raised $821,779, spent $770,880, cash on hand $50,898; $668,374 from individual donors, $2,000 from PACs, $150,001 from the candidate. FEC filings ↗
Sources last checked 2026-09-18. Report an error ↗
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.
Housing affordability Leans agree· stated position
Supports legislation to stop investors competing against individual homebuyers.
"There is housing in Florida, but it is not attainable."
Immigration Leans disagree· stated position
Wants a safe, fair, transparent and humane immigration overhaul with more judges to clear asylum backlogs.
"we need to overhaul the immigration system: one that is safe, fair, transparent, and humane"
Health care Strongly agrees· stated position
Says health care is a human right and supports a public option.
"a public option: a pathway to quality, affordable healthcare for every American who wants it"
Social Security & Medicare Strongly agrees· stated position
Will never vote to cut Social Security, Medicare or veterans' benefits, raise the retirement age or privatize.
"He will never vote to cut Social Security, Medicare, or veterans' benefits."
Environment & water Strongly agrees· stated position
Wants Everglades restoration completed, Lake Okeechobee cleaned up and toxic discharges to the estuaries stopped.
"completing Everglades restoration, cleaning up Lake Okeechobee, stopping toxic discharges to the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon"
Tariffs & trade Strongly disagrees· stated position
Calls for ending 'reckless tariffs driving up the price of groceries'.
"ending reckless tariffs driving up the price of groceries"
Ukraine Strongly agrees· stated position
Says supporting Ukraine is in the national interest.
"I believe supporting Ukraine is in our national interests. The way of the world cannot be taking borders by force."
Veterans Leans agree· stated position
Would never vote to cut veterans' benefits.
"never vote to cut Social Security, Medicare, or veterans' benefits"
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: Taxes & spending, Abortion, Guns, Education & school choice, Elections & voting, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, Trump administration. 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
- Cost of living — Says rising costs are the top issue and that Washington has failed to deliver on pocketbook issues; would repeal tariffs he says raise prices.
- Clean water — Lists clean-water concerns as a top priority for the Treasure Coast district.
- Data centers — Discussed data-center development and its local impacts in a long-form campaign interview.
- Accountable representation / democracy — Argues the incumbent has 'turned a blind eye to attacks on democracy at home' and presents himself as a pragmatic Democrat who can win independents and Republicans.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Won the Democratic primary by 359 votes out of nearly 48,000 cast (50.4% to 49.6%) over Bernard Taylor; the AP called the race and Taylor conceded.
- Reported raising $150,000 on his first day as a candidate.
Endorsements (as reported)
- Former Vice President Kamala Harris
- Palm Beach Post Editorial Board