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)
Campaign finance (FEC filings through 09/30/2026): raised $508,311, spent $88,022, cash on hand $506,963; $154,931 from individual donors, $353,200 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.
Immigration Leans disagree· stated position
Would protect law-abiding immigrant families and create a path to residency while targeting criminals and traffickers.
"Protect law-abiding immigrant families, Improve training and accountability for border personnel, a path to permanent residency for families stuck in legal limbo and target criminals and traffickers."
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
Would lower premiums and expand access through a 'Healthcare Stability & Program Choice Act'.
"Lower premiums, expand access, and reduce out-of-pocket costs through the Healthcare Stability & Program Choice Act."
Education & school choice Leans disagree· stated position
Opposes the Schools of Hope amendment, saying charter operators would compete with and recruit from public schools.
Environment & water Strongly agrees· stated position
Would protect the Everglades and water resources and seek a moratorium on large AI data centers.
"Protect the Everglades, defend water resources, support responsible growth, and pursue a temporary moratorium on large-scale AI data centers"
Tariffs & trade Leans disagree· stated position
Criticizes the administration's trade wars for driving up prices.
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 Leans agree· stated position
Would pursue a VA hospital or major medical facility in South Dade.
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, Housing affordability, Guns, Social Security & Medicare, 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 (2)
Property insurance Leans agree· stated position
Would enforce anti-fraud laws, hold bad actors accountable and stabilize the market.
"Enforce anti-fraud laws, hold bad actors accountable, stabilize the market, and protect homeowners from rising costs."
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.
- Veterans' bicycle tour — Ehr led a five-day, 197-mile veterans' bicycle ride from Homestead to Key West timed to the start of voting, highlighting his Navy service.
- Election legitimacy and national security — Accepting the National Security Leaders for America endorsement at his Homestead headquarters opening on Sept. 19, Ehr said members of Congress should not undermine confidence in U.S. elections. The group's criteria for opposing a candidate include denying legitimate election results; Gimenez voted on Jan. 6, 2021 to sustain objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes.
- Debate challenge — On Sept. 22 Ehr sent formal invitations to Gimenez and Rojas for two debates, one in Miami-Dade and one in Monroe County, listing affordability, housing, property insurance, government ethics, health care, retirement security, immigration, foreign policy, the environment and development as topics.
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.)
- National Security Leaders for America
- The Steady State (network of former national-security officials)
- Miami Herald Editorial Board