Indian River County voters will face a brand-new congressional landscape in the 2026 elections. Following recent redistricting efforts by the Florida Legislature, the county has been shifted from District 8 to the newly expanded U.S. House of Representatives District 9. This sprawling district now stretches from Orlando and Kissimmee southwest through Yeehaw Junction, encompassing the entirety of Indian River County and making it one of the largest congressional districts by area in the state.
As residents in Vero Beach and the surrounding Treasure Coast prepare for the upcoming August 18 primary, they will find a crowded field of Republican hopefuls vying for the chance to unseat the Democratic incumbent in the November 3 general election.
The Incumbent: Rep. Darren Soto
U.S. Representative Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, is the current incumbent for District 9. Having served in Congress since 2017 after a tenure in the Florida House and Senate, Soto faces no Democratic challengers in the upcoming primary. His platform highlights bringing federal funding to local infrastructure, securing $9.4 million for environmental restoration of the Indian River Lagoon, and advancing legislative efforts like the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. Soto’s priorities for a new term include lowering the cost of living, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and defending healthcare access.
I am running for re-election on the 3 C’s: lower costs, protect our care and stop corruption.
The Republican Primary Field
Seven Republicans are competing for the GOP nomination, bringing diverse backgrounds ranging from military service to local agriculture and business. The winner of this primary will advance to challenge Rep. Soto in the fall.
Notably for Treasure Coast residents, Dan Green is the sole candidate hailing directly from Vero Beach. Green is a U.S. Navy Reserve Commander and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Trump Administration. His campaign focuses heavily on reducing government bureaucracy, balancing the federal budget, and prioritizing national security and border enforcement to make America affordable again.
The remaining Republican candidates on the primary ballot include:
- Ben Butler: A Lorida-based dairy farmer and cattle rancher who is prioritizing food security, agricultural protection, and responsible water management to balance environmental stewardship with economic growth.
- Marcus Carter: A retired U.S. Army veteran from Kissimmee running a grassroots campaign focused on government accountability, enacting term limits, and addressing the mental health epidemic.
- Thomas R. Chalifoux Jr.: An Orlando commercial general contractor, retired Army Colonel, and former Osceola County School Board member who aims to stop government waste, combat inflation, and reward the workforce.
- Jorge Martinez: An Orlando retiree, former CPA, and immigrant who is campaigning on expanding educational choices for parents, limiting government overreach, and safeguarding the Constitution.
- Steve Rance: An Ocoee pastor, Air Force veteran, and former county councilman whose platform centers on deploying advanced surveillance at the border, stopping wasteful spending, and protecting parental rights in education.
- Justin Story: A St. Cloud resident, active-duty Marine reserve fighter pilot, and commercial aviator focused on strengthening military readiness, overhauling immigration reform, and aggressively tackling the national debt.
Looking Ahead to the Elections
The outcome of the August 18 Republican primary will shape the final ballot for the November 3 general election. For Indian River County residents, this election marks a significant shift in political representation and a unique opportunity to weigh in on a district that now blends the urban concerns of Central Florida with the distinct agricultural and coastal needs of the Treasure Coast.
