Rachel Grage
Rachel Grage was born in Oswego, N.Y., and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering from Tulane University; she has worked as a biomedical engineer researching biomechanics, cardiac interventions and therapies for children with cerebral palsy (Ballotpedia; campaign site). She ran for Florida House District 16 in 2024, losing 39% to 61%. She won the Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary over Alexander Hazen, Mark Heggestad and Eli Johnson after leading the field in fundraising, and faces Rep. John Rutherford in November. Her platform centers on affordability, health-care costs, Social Security and Medicare, reproductive rights and coastal resilience.
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug 18, 2026 Democratic primary over Alexander Hazen, Mark Heggestad and Eli Johnson; percentages not found (Action News Jax: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/7-pm-live-results-2026-florida-primary-election/3Q5GX2YDSZA3ZA4Y57MP36IDGY/)
Campaign finance (FEC filings through 10/14/2026): raised $448,143, spent $375,233, cash on hand $65,881; $442,697 from individual donors, $4,807 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 Mixed / neutral· stated position
Supports 'securing the border through smart, efficient enforcement' while maintaining 'a fair and humane immigration system that respects due process'; no position on large-scale deportation was found.
Abortion Strongly agrees· stated position
Supports protecting access to reproductive health care including abortion; Ballotpedia lists her as legislative chair of Jacksonville NOW, which backs allowing abortion before viability and exceptions to six-week bans. Florida Choice Tracker lists her as pro-choice.
Health care Leans agree· stated position
Pledges to use her health-care background to fight for lower insurance costs and expanded access and coverage.
"fighting for lower insurance costs and expanded access and coverage"
Social Security & Medicare Strongly agrees· stated position
Platform highlights 'protecting Medicare and Social Security' and defending the programs so Americans are not priced out of basic care.
Environment & water Leans agree· stated position
Campaign priorities include defending coastal ecosystems, disaster resilience and addressing climate impacts that she says leave families and seniors vulnerable.
No public position found on 12 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Housing affordability, Guns, Education & school choice, Elections & voting, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, Tariffs & trade, Ukraine, 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
- Home insurance stabilization — Lists stabilizing home insurance among her affordability priorities.Sources: Rachel Grage for Congress: Issues
- Government accountability and campaign-finance transparency — Platform includes accountability and campaign-finance transparency; published a Substack post questioning Rep. Rutherford's answers at a Fleet Landing event.
- Prescription drug costs — Would work to keep prescription costs affordable.Sources: Rachel Grage for Congress: Issues
- Equality under the law — Lists ensuring equality under the law among her focuses; affiliated with Equality Florida, Catholic Charities and the Democratic Women's Club of Florida.Sources: Ballotpedia: Rachel Grage
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Ran for Florida House District 16 in 2024, losing with 39% to Republican incumbent Kiyan Michael.Sources: Ballotpedia: Rachel Grage
- Was the top Democratic fundraiser in the CD 5 primary with $272,423 raised through July 29, 2026.