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Florida House, District 31

Matt Woodside

RepublicanPublic school educator, coach and athletic director (Brevard Public Schools since 2006)

Republican nominee for HD 31 (Brevard County) after winning the Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary.

How they got on the ballot: Won Aug. 18, 2026 Republican primary (Central Florida Public Media)

Campaign finance: state and county candidates file with the Florida Division of Elections or the county Supervisor of Elections. Search contributions ↗

Sources last checked 2026-09. Report an error ↗

Positions on the major issues

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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 Leans agree· stated position

Statement: "Cutting taxes should be a top priority, even if it means less government spending on services."

Supports tax reduction, small-business deregulation and fiscal responsibility.

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Property taxes Mixed / neutral· stated position

Statement: "Florida should eliminate or sharply reduce homestead property taxes, even if local governments must cut services or find other revenue."

Calls himself a lower-tax fiscal conservative who agrees with the amendment's intent but warned local governments would be squeezed and impact fees raised; said he was undecided on the measure.

"local governments are going to be squeezed and will have to cut"

Sources: 2026 Voter's Guide - Florida House District 31, Republican … (2026-07-31)

Property insurance Leans disagree· stated position

Statement: "The state should intervene more directly in the property-insurance market (rate caps, expanding Citizens, stricter insurer regulation) rather than relying mainly on market-based reforms."

Lists tort reform and expanding the insurance market as his approach to insurance costs.

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Housing affordability Leans agree· stated position

Statement: "Government should do more to make housing affordable (subsidies, zoning changes, rent measures)."

Prefers targeted incentives, streamlined permitting for affordable housing inland, zoning streamlining and a larger homestead exemption rather than density mandates.

Sources: 2026 Voter's Guide - Florida House District 31, Republican … (2026-07-31) · Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Abortion Strongly disagrees· stated position

Statement: "Abortion should be legal in most cases (Florida's six-week ban should be repealed or loosened)."

His platform says every life from conception is a miracle and pledges to advance pro-life policies.

"fight tirelessly to advance pro-life policies including strengthening protections for the unborn"

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Guns Strongly disagrees· stated position

Statement: "Gun laws should be stricter (keep the red-flag law and the age-21 purchase rule; expand background checks) rather than looser (permitless or open carry, lower purchase age)."

A lifetime NRA member, he supports constitutional carry and expanding Second Amendment rights.

"A well-armed citizenry is the first line of defense against threats"

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Education & school choice Strongly agrees· stated position

Statement: "Public money should follow students to private, charter or home schools (universal school vouchers)."

Supports expanding school choice and homeschool freedom along with higher teacher pay.

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09) · 2026 Voter's Guide - Florida House District 31, Republican … (2026-07-31)

Environment & water Leans agree· stated position

Statement: "Protecting water quality, conservation land and climate resilience should take priority even if it slows development or raises costs."

Supports legislation combating pollution and protecting waterways.

"Protect waterways"

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Elections & voting Leans disagree· stated position

Statement: "Voting should be made easier (mail voting, drop boxes, restoring voting rights) rather than adding new restrictions."

Supports voter ID requirements and ballot security measures.

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

Gender identity laws Leans agree· stated position

Statement: "Florida's laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors and classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity should remain in place."

Says he led a two-year effort against what he calls harmful gender policies in schools and opposes such policies.

Sources: Platform — Woodside for Florida (2026-09) · Meet Matt — Woodside for Florida (2026-09)

No public position found on 8 issues

We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Immigration, Health care, Growth & development, Marijuana, Crime & policing, Energy & utilities, Trump administration, 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

No additional issues found in public statements as of the last data review.

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