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D Democratic · U.S. House 21, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

James
T. Martin

Coast Guard veteran and first-time candidate James Martin is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Florida's 21st Congressional District.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
16
positions
10
endorsements
16
jamesmartinforflorida.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)TikTok(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Brian Mast R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

James T. Martin is a Democratic candidate running for Florida's 21st Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Mast. He was born and raised in Hobe Sound, Florida, and is a first-time candidate for elected office. 124

Martin is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served on active duty in various roles, including as commanding officer of cutters based in Fort Pierce and as a special assistant to the national security advisor (2021–2022). From 2022 to 2025, he served as chief of staff for national security affairs and executive secretary in the Office of the Vice President. He holds a commission as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. 521

He holds a bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a master's degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. 12

Martin won the Democratic primary on August 21, 2026, and has received endorsements including from Veterans for Responsible Leadership and the Palm Beach Post Editorial Board ahead of the general election. 12610

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 21, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
jamesmartinforflorida.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 11
    endorsement
    Additional endorsements listed: VP Harris, Veterans for Responsible Leadership, and others

    A candidate profile updated October 11 lists Vice President Kamala Harris, Veterans for Responsible Leadership, the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, and the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council among Martin's endorsers. Specific dates for most of these endorsements were not provided in the source.

    James Martin (D) – FL-21 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 9
    endorsement
    Palm Beach Post editorial board endorses James Martin for FL-21

    The Palm Beach Post editorial board endorsed Martin for the FL-21 seat, urging voters to choose him. The board also noted that incumbent Republican Brian Mast did not participate in its endorsement process.

    Palm Beach Post Editorial Board's endorsements for Congress · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 21
    news
    Florida Democratic Party includes Martin in its 'Take Back Florida' November slate

    The Florida Democratic Party announced its 2026 'Take Back Florida' November slate, which included James T. Martin's FL-21 race.

    FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANNOUNCES 2026 TAKE BACK FLORIDA NOVEMBER SLATE · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 21
    news
    Florida Democratic Party names FL-21 a 'Race to Watch' for 2026

    The Florida Democratic Party included Martin's congressional race against Brian Mast in its announced list of 'Races to Watch,' a party designation highlighting targeted contests for the 2026 cycle.

    Florida Democratic Party Names Additional "Races to ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 21
    endorsement
    The Steady State endorses James Martin for Florida's 21st Congressional District

    The Steady State, an organization of more than 420 former national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement, and homeland-security officials, announced its endorsement of Martin for FL-21.

    THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JAMES MARTIN FOR FLORIDA’S 21ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aug 18
    news
    Martin wins Democratic primary over Bernard Taylor by 359 votes (50.4%–49.6%)

    James T. Martin defeated Bernard Taylor in the Democratic primary for FL-21 by a margin of 359 votes, with Martin receiving 50.4% to Taylor's 49.6%, making Martin the Democratic nominee to face Republican incumbent Brian Mast in the November 3 general election.

    Nikki Fried works South Florida this weekend as Democrats try to turn tightening polls into turnout · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Jul 29
    filing
    Martin reported $579,319 raised and $188,045 cash on hand through July 29

    Based on FEC reports through July 29, Martin had raised $579,319, including $428,318 in individual contributions and a $150,000 candidate loan, with $188,045 cash on hand at that cutoff date.

    What It Would Take for James T. Martin to Win FL-21 in 2026 | The ... · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida organization
    Listed as a supporter on Martin's campaign website; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance organization
    Lists Martin as its endorsed candidate for U.S. House District 21; no date given. pbchrc.org
  • Anne Gannon, Palm Beach County tax collector official
    Listed as a supporter on Martin's campaign website; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • West Palm Beach Democratic Club organization
    Listed as a supporter on Martin's campaign website; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • Moms Demand Action organization
    Martin's campaign identifies him as a "Gun Sense Candidate"; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • End Citizens United organization
    Listed as an "Unrig Candidate" on Martin's campaign website; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • Debra Tendrich, Florida state representative official
    Listed as a supporter on Martin's campaign website; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • Merritt Matheson, former Stuart mayor official
    Listed as a supporter on Martin's campaign website; no date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com
  • The Palm Beach Post editorial board newspaper
    Endorsed Martin in an editorial urging voters to pick him in the November election. palmbeachpost.com · Oct 9, 2026
  • The Steady State organization
    Organization of former national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement and homeland-security officials. steadystate1.substack.com · Sep 21, 2026
  • Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida organization
    Identified as an endorser in the campaign's July 29, 2026 announcement; no separate endorsement date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com · Jul 29, 2026
  • Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida organization
    Identified as an endorser in the campaign's July 29, 2026 announcement; no separate endorsement date given. jamesmartinforflorida.com · Jul 29, 2026
  • Kamala D. Harris, former Vice President official
    Harris said, "I am proud to endorse James Martin for Congress." floridapolitics.com · Jul 29, 2026
  • Veterans for Responsible Leadership organization
    Endorsement announced by the campaign on January 12, 2026. jamesmartinforflorida.com · Jan 12, 2026
  • David Levy, former Palm Beach Gardens mayor official
    Endorsement announced by the campaign on December 31, 2025. jamesmartinforflorida.com · Dec 31, 2025
  • Eric Jablin, former Palm Beach Gardens mayor official
    Endorsement announced by the campaign on December 31, 2025. jamesmartinforflorida.com · Dec 31, 2025

Campaign finance

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

Raised
$579K
Spent
$391K
Cash on hand
$188K

As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL21075(opens in a new tab)

Sources 16

  1. [1] James Martin (D) – FL-21 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] Palm Beach Post Editorial Board's endorsements for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Nikki Fried works South Florida this weekend as Democrats try to turn tightening polls into turnout(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  4. [4] Voters Alliance | Palm Beach County Hu(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  5. [5] What It Would Take for James T. Martin to Win FL-21 in 2026 | The ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  6. [6] FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANNOUNCES 2026 TAKE BACK FLORIDA NOVEMBER SLATE(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  7. [7] Florida Democratic Party Names Additional "Races to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  8. [8] THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES JAMES MARTIN FOR FLORIDA’S 21ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  9. [9] 2 Democrats vie to unseat Brian Mast(opens in a new tab) Aug 10, 2026
  10. [10] Palm Beach Post voter guide for US House District 21 primary(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
  11. [11] James Martin For Florida | Candidate for Congress 2026(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
  12. [12] ‘Ready to deliver': Kamala Harris endorses ‘patriot' James Martin in race to flip CD 21(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2026
  13. [13] Coast Guard Veteran James Martin Endorsed by Vice ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2026
  14. [14] Former Arabian Gulf Coast Guard Vet, James Martin, Releases Statement on Today’s Air Strikes(opens in a new tab) Feb 28, 2026
  15. [15] Martin Earns Local Endorsements from Community Leaders(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2025
  16. [16] Veterans for Responsible Leadership Endorses James Martin for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2025
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