Skip to content
elect.link
Latest
Allupdates
D Democratic · U.S. House 11, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

James
Pericola

Democratic nominee for Florida's 11th Congressional District; attorney, government-affairs executive, and former Clinton administration appointee

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
14
positions
9
endorsements
5
jamespericola.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Joe Strada R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

James Pericola is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Florida's 11th Congressional District, having won the Democratic primary on August 18, 2026. 1517 He was raised in Central Florida and currently resides in Winter Garden. 29

Pericola holds a B.A. in Political Science and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America. 23 His career includes service as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Bob Graham and as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board during the Clinton administration. 92

After his government service, Pericola became an attorney and senior government-affairs executive, and founded a Washington, D.C.-based government-relations and consulting firm. 98 He holds no prior elected office; his public-service background was in appointed and staff roles. 92

Pericola is running for an open seat vacated by incumbent U.S. Representative Daniel Webster, who is retiring and not seeking reelection. 178 His campaign theme centers on lowering costs and delivering common-sense results for Central Florida. 9

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 11, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Democratic nominee for U.S. House, Florida's 11th Congressional District
Website
jamespericola.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 10
    poll
    Seldon forecast model shows Strada +9.5 despite Pericola +0.9 poll average

    A Seldon forecast page listed a poll average of Pericola +0.9 based on one poll dated as late as July 29, while its model forecast showed Strada +9.5. The two figures represent different measures and the underlying poll details were limited.

    Florida's 11th District 2026 Forecast: Pericola vs. Strada · Seldon Beta · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 7
    debate
    Pericola participates in WESH FL-11 general election debate; Strada does not attend

    WESH hosted a District 11 debate featuring Pericola and Libertarian Ralph Groves. Republican Joe Strada was invited but did not attend. Topics included Social Security and Medicare, the Iran conflict and U.S. involvement, veterans' benefits, and healthcare and housing affordability.

    Florida's 11th Congressional District General Debate · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 5
    news
    Pericola emphasizes affordability, Social Security, and Medicare on campaign trail

    The Orlando Sentinel reported that Pericola focused his campaign messaging on affordability, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and middle-class tax relief. He described his approach as treating everybody with dignity and respect and said he was door-knocking including in The Villages.

    D.C. politico and wealthy businessman vie for Central Florida ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 4
    endorsement
    Orlando Sentinel editorial board endorses Pericola, citing his experience

    The Orlando Sentinel's editorial board endorsed Pericola over Republican Joe Strada, describing experience as his key advantage in the FL-11 race.

    Endorsement: Experience gives Pericola the edge in U.S. ... · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 30
    endorsement
    Reproductive Freedom for All endorses Pericola as part of House flip slate

    Reproductive Freedom for All announced its endorsement of Pericola as part of a broader slate of House candidates the organization characterized as proven reproductive champions ahead of the November election.

    Reproductive Freedom for All Endorses Slate of Proven ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 21
    poll
    Internal Pericola poll shows one-point race against Strada

    The Hill reported that Pericola's campaign shared internal polling showing a one-point difference between Pericola and Joe Strada. The pollster, field dates, sample size, and methodology were not disclosed, and it was not independently verified.

    America's politics of fear could finally be over · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Aug 18
    filing
    Pericola wins Democratic primary with ~46.3% of the vote

    James Pericola secured the Democratic nomination for Florida's 11th Congressional District with approximately 46.3% of the primary vote, advancing to the November 3 general election against Republican Joe Strada and Libertarian Ralph Groves.

    James Pericola — 2026 Florida's 11th Congressional District ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board newspaper
    Published a further endorsement of Pericola for U.S. House District 11 during the general-election period, citing his experience. orlandosentinel.com · Oct 4, 2026
  • Reproductive Freedom for All organization
    Listed Pericola among its endorsed U.S. House candidates as part of a slate of reproductive champions. reproductivefreedomforall.org · Sep 30, 2026
  • Florida Democratic Agricultural Caucus (FDAC) organization
    Endorsed Pericola in his bid to win Florida's 11th Congressional District. striversrowmedia.com · Sep 30, 2026
  • Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board newspaper
    Endorsed Pericola as the choice in the Democratic primary. orlandosentinel.com · Aug 9, 2026
  • Barbie Harden Hall official
    Former Democratic nominee in the district who suspended her own campaign and endorsed Pericola in the Democratic primary. floridapolitics.com · Jul 2, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$120K
Spent
$88K
Cash on hand
$32K

As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL11357(opens in a new tab)

Sources 14

  1. [1] James Pericola — 2026 Florida's 11th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Florida's 11th District 2026 Forecast: Pericola vs. Strada · Seldon Beta(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  3. [3] Florida's 11th Congressional District General Debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] D.C. politico and wealthy businessman vie for Central Florida ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  5. [5] Endorsement: Experience gives Pericola the edge in U.S. ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  6. [6] JAMES PERICOLA WINS ENDORSEMENT BY THE ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  7. [7] James Pericola — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  8. [8] Reproductive Freedom for All Endorses Slate of Proven ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  9. [9] America's politics of fear could finally be over(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  10. [10] James Pericola: Dems need to 'give people something to vote for, not just someone to vote against'(opens in a new tab) Aug 14, 2026
  11. [11] Endorsements: Ulrich, Dalton, Chalifoux, Razack, Pericola for Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 9, 2026
  12. [12] Meet 11th Congressional District democratic candidate James ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
  13. [13] 2026 Voters Guide: James Pericola for US House District 11(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
  14. [14] James Pericola raised $100,000 in just three weeks for CD 11 run(opens in a new tab) Jul 2, 2026
Are you James Pericola?
Claim this page to add a statement to voters and correct your details.
Sign in to claim
elect.link

Candidate pages are assembled automatically from public web sources. Every claim links to where it came from. Nonpartisan; no endorsements. Candidates can claim their page to add a statement and corrections.