Candidate · November 3, 2026

Scott Franklin

On the ballot for U.S. House · Florida's 18th District

RepublicanIncumbent
raised through Oct 14, 2026
$1.0M
cash on hand
$883K
issues with public statements
7

§1On the ballot

Why this matters: This is exactly how the candidate appears on your ballot, from the state's official candidate list.

OfficeU.S. House · Florida's 18th District1,2,3
Party on the ballotRepublican1,2,4
StatusIncumbent — Currently represents Florida's 18th District in the U.S. House.5
Also on the ballot

§2Who they are

Why this matters: Background and experience help you judge how someone might do the job. These come from public records and the candidate's own materials.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Scott Franklin served 26 years as a Navy aviator, 14 on active duty and 12 in the reserves, operating from the decks of 13 aircraft carriers, with combat operations in the Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo.6,7 He led the Lakeland insurance firm Lanier Upshaw as president and CEO for 20 years before it merged into BKS Partners in 2020, where he was managing partner.6,7 Before his election to Congress in 2020 he held office as a Lakeland City Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem.7 He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 and has an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.6,7

Why they say they're running

His campaign website says he is working to uphold American values and produce results for Florida's Heartland, such as cutting what it calls wasteful spending, reducing costs for families, securing the border and rebuilding the military.6,8

Service in Congress since 2023

  • 2025–nowU.S. Representative, FL-185
  • 2023–2025U.S. Representative, FL-185

Websites and accounts

§3What they've said on the issues

Why this matters: These are positions the candidate has stated publicly — on their campaign website or in public statements — summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Issues they haven't spoken about publicly are left out.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Each issue has its own range of views. A position is marked on that range only when the candidate's own statement clearly matches one option; there is no overall left–right score.

Taxes and Budget

Federal spending levels

His campaign website says he is fighting to rein in federal spending and cut what it calls wasteful spending, and that he opposes spending that has driven the national debt past $38 trillion.8

Fraud and improper payments in federal programs

His campaign website says he is working to expose and eliminate fraud.8

Federal income tax rates

His campaign website says he is against attempts to raise taxes on families and small businesses and that he supported the Working Families Tax Cut, also called the One Big Beautiful Bill.8

Health Care

Health insurance system

His campaign website says he opposes efforts to expand federal control over healthcare.8

Abortion and Reproductive Health

Government funding and abortion

His campaign website says he voted to uphold the Hyde Amendment so that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions.8

Abortion law

His campaign website says he opposes abortion and that he supported the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which it says requires that infants born alive get the same care as any other child.8

Agriculture and Rural Life

Farm payments and crop insurance

His campaign website says that as Vice Chair of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee he is advancing disaster assistance through block grants to Florida farmers, supporting citrus recovery efforts, and investing in research and disease mitigation.8

§4Popular bills that never got a vote

Why this matters: Many bills with wide support from both parties never reach a vote, so no member of Congress is ever on record for or against them. Signing on as a sponsor or cosponsor is the only public record of support.

While Scott Franklin served, these bills had broad support from both parties but never reached a floor vote. No officeholder ever had to vote on them. Scott Franklin sponsored or cosponsored 23 of the 52. How bills die without a vote.

See all 52

§5Money

Why this matters: Campaigns report where their money comes from and how much they have left. Outside groups that spend on their own, without coordinating with the campaign, report that too.

Reported to the Federal Election Commission for the 2025–2026 election cycle, through October 14, 2026.64

Raised$1,026,404
Spent$625,069
Cash on hand$883,231
Debts owed by the campaign$298,500

Where the money came from

Individual donors$437K · 43%
PACs and other political committees$481K · 47%
Transfers from the candidate's other committees$82K · 8%
Other receipts (other loans, refunds, interest)$27K · 3%

§6Financial disclosures

Why this matters: Federal candidates and members of Congress must report their assets, income, debts and outside jobs, and members must report stock trades. These filings show possible conflicts of interest.