Phil "Felipe" Ehr
Phil 'Felipe' Ehr is a retired U.S. Navy commander who served from 1982 to 2008, including roles supporting Cold War-era operations, Desert Storm and Allied Force; his campaign says he has since completed humanitarian aid delivery missions in Ukraine. He was the Democratic nominee in Florida's 1st District in 2020 and against Carlos Gimenez in CD 28 in 2024, and was unopposed in the Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary. U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin endorsed him in September 2026.
How they got on the ballot: Unopposed in Aug 18, 2026 Democratic primary (CBS Miami)
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.
Immigration Mixed / neutral· stated position
Ehr says he wants to stop illegal border crossings and enforce 'rational immigration laws,' citing his work on border-security technology, while calling for reform of ICE and CBP operations starting with 'transparency, accountability and training,' including rules on identification and use of force.
Abortion Strongly agrees· stated position
Ehr says he will vote to codify Roe v. Wade's protections into law and describes the goal as ending government overreach on reproductive decisions.
"In Congress, I will vote to codify Roe's protections into law."
Health care Leans agree· stated position
Ehr proposes a 'Healthcare Stability & Program Choice Act' to lower premiums, expand access and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Environment & water Strongly agrees· stated position
Ehr's platform includes protecting the Everglades, defending water resources, 'responsible growth' and a temporary moratorium on large-scale AI data centers and other high-impact developments.
Tariffs & trade Leans disagree· stated position
Ehr says the administration's 'trade wars' and 'reckless tariffs' raised prices on construction materials and groceries; he supports trade policies that protect U.S. jobs 'without sabotaging American consumers or our allies.'
Ukraine Leans agree· stated position
Ehr's campaign says he completed dozens of humanitarian aid delivery missions in Ukraine for people who 'risked it all for freedom'; an explicit position on continued U.S. military aid was not captured.
Veterans Strongly agrees· stated position
Ehr's campaign says he will 'stand against the quiet dismantling of the VA system and fight to expand - not privatize - veterans' care.'
"stand against the quiet dismantling of the VA system and fight to expand—not privatize—veterans' care"
No public position found on 10 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Housing affordability, Guns, Social Security & Medicare, 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.
Positions on issues outside this office's scope (1)
Growth & development Leans agree· stated position
Ehr supports 'responsible growth' and a temporary moratorium on large-scale AI data centers and other high-impact developments.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Moratorium on large AI data centers — He proposes a temporary moratorium on large-scale AI data centers and other high-impact developments.
- Protecting the VA — He says he will stand against the 'quiet dismantling' of the VA and expand rather than privatize veterans' care.
- ICE/CBP reform — He calls for transparency, accountability and training reforms for ICE and CBP, including proper identification and use-of-force rules.
- Everglades and water — Protecting the Everglades and water resources is part of his platform.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Lost to Carlos Gimenez as the 2024 Democratic nominee in CD 28.
- Democratic nominee in Florida's 1st Congressional District in 2020.
- Served in the U.S. Navy 1982-2008, retiring as a commander.
Endorsements (as reported)
- U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)