Joe
Strada
Republican businessman and HVAC mogul Joe Strada is running for Florida's 11th Congressional District seat in 2026.
- sources
- 20
- positions
- 7
- endorsements
- 16
Background
Joe Strada is the Republican candidate for Florida's 11th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. He grew up in Chicago and moved to Longwood, Florida, at age 12, graduating from Lyman High School in 1981 without attending college. He began his career working at a bowling alley before moving into sales at Del-Air, eventually founding Strada Services in 2003, a Central Florida HVAC company of which he serves as executive chairman and owns a 45% stake, valued at approximately $800 million. [1, 5, 7]
Strada has no prior elected office and is running for the open seat vacated by Republican Rep. Daniel Webster, who chose not to seek re-election. He lives in Lake Mary, Florida. [2, 3, 4]
Strada has earned endorsements from prominent conservatives including Rep. Jim Jordan, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Florida Governor's Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and others. [3, 6, 8, 9]
His campaign frames him as a self-made businessman and problem solver with roots in the skilled trades. [8, 13]
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 11, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Executive Chairman, Strada Services
- Website
- votestrada.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7debateStrada skips WESH District 11 general-election debate; Pericola and Groves participate
WESH reported that Strada was invited to its FL-11 congressional debate but did not attend. Democrat James Pericola and Libertarian Ralph Groves participated in his absence.
Florida's 11th Congressional District General Debate · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsStrada's policy positions reported: term limits, balanced budget, restrictions on congressional stock trading
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Strada's campaign website supports congressional term limits, a balanced federal budget, and restrictions on congressional stock trading.
D.C. politico and wealthy businessman vie for Central Florida ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsOrlando Sentinel reports Strada committed at least $1M to 'Full of Crap' TV ad campaign
The Orlando Sentinel reported Strada committed at least $1 million to a television ad campaign called 'Full of Crap,' a phrase he used to describe Washington, D.C. The Sentinel also noted Strada had declined local interview requests and avoided debates and public appearances.
D.C. politico and wealthy businessman vie for Central Florida ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsForbes profiles Strada as potentially the richest member of Congress if elected
Forbes reported on Strada's background, his rise in the home-services industry, and his congressional bid, noting his campaign positions including easing regulations on energy-efficiency testing for new homes.
De Pista de Boliche a US$ 800 Milhões: Quem É Joe Strada, Empresário Que Pode Chegar Ao Congresso · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsStrada appears in television interview with Greg Kelly
Strada appeared in a television interview with Greg Kelly published October 2, one of his few public media appearances during the general election campaign.
The fight for Florida's 11th district · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsStrada responds to candidate surveys on DEI and related policy questions
Strada participated in candidate surveys conducted around September 18, 2026, covering topics including DEI programs and codifying executive orders related to DEI and vaccination policy.
Candidate Survey 2026: Support codifying into law EO and DOW ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsStrada wins Republican primary for Florida's 11th District; recount confirms 393-vote margin
Strada won the Republican nomination for FL-11. The result was close enough to trigger a machine recount, which confirmed his lead by 393 votes. A local newspaper reported the recount was ordered after the state received county results.
De Pista de Boliche a US$ 800 Milhões: Quem É Joe Strada, Empresário Que Pode Chegar Ao Congresso · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 29filingFEC filings show Strada campaign raised $5.25M through late July, including $5M in candidate loans
By the July 29 reporting date, Strada's campaign reported $5.25 million in total receipts, including $5 million in candidate loans, with approximately $2.25 million cash on hand.
Florida's 11th District Candidates 2026: Who's Running? (FL-11) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Keith Truenow officialFlorida State Senator; listed among Strada's endorsers by Winter Garden Vox without a specific date. wintergardenvox.com
- Taylor Yarkosky officialFlorida State Representative; listed among Strada's endorsers by Winter Garden Vox without a specific date. wintergardenvox.com
- Doug Bankson officialFlorida State Representative; listed among Strada's endorsers by Winter Garden Vox without a specific date. wintergardenvox.com
- Jason Brodeur officialFlorida State Senator; listed among Strada's endorsers by Winter Garden Vox without a specific date. wintergardenvox.com
- Veterans for America First organizationListed among Strada's endorsers in a July 2026 account; no dated announcement found on the organization's endorsements page. steveedwardfarley.substack.com
- Randy Fine officialU.S. Representative; reported as endorser alongside Jordan and Scalise in July 2026. flvoicenews.com
- Lake County Professional Firefighters unionEndorsed Strada; announcement posted on Strada's X account with a statement of support. x.com · Sep 8, 2026
- Donald Trump officialPresident of the United States; endorsed Strada among eight GOP congressional candidates in Florida. floridapolitics.com · Sep 1, 2026
- Wilton Simpson officialFlorida Agriculture Commissioner; endorsement reported by Florida's Voice. flvoicenews.com · Aug 24, 2026
- Grady Judd officialPolk County Sheriff; endorsement reported by Florida Politics. floridapolitics.com · Aug 4, 2026
- Dennis Lemma officialSeminole County Sheriff; endorsement reported by Florida Politics. floridapolitics.com · Jul 24, 2026
- Bill Gladson officialFifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney; endorsement reported with statement included. floridapolitics.com · Jul 21, 2026
- Wayne Ivey officialBrevard County Sheriff; endorsement reported with statement included. floridapolitics.com · Jul 21, 2026
- Jim Jordan officialU.S. Representative; endorsed Strada and was quoted in reporting. flvoicenews.com · Jul 20, 2026
- Steve Scalise officialHouse Majority Leader; endorsed Strada and was quoted in reporting. flvoicenews.com · Jul 20, 2026
- James Uthmeier officialFlorida Attorney General; endorsed Strada and was quoted in reporting. flvoicenews.com · Jul 20, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $5.25M
- Spent
- $3.00M
- Cash on hand
- $2.25M
As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL11332(opens in a new tab)
Sources 20
- [1] Joe Strada (@VoteStrada) / X(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Joe Strada (R) – FL-11 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Florida — 11th District — head to head | 2026election.com(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Florida's 11th Congressional District General Debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] D.C. politico and wealthy businessman vie for Central Florida ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] Joe Strada — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [7] De Pista de Boliche a US$ 800 Milhões: Quem É Joe Strada, Empresário Que Pode Chegar Ao Congresso(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [8] Florida's 11th District Candidates 2026: Who's Running? (FL-11)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [9] The fight for Florida's 11th district(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [10] Candidate Survey 2026: Do you oppose sanctuary states and cities? | STARRS(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [11] Candidate Survey 2026: Support codifying into law EO and DOW ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [12] Donald Trump backs eight GOP candidates for Congress in Florida open and battleground districts(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
- [13] Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson backs Joe Strada in Florida's 11th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Aug 24, 2026
- [14] 'A conservative we can trust': Grady Judd endorses Joe Strada in CD 11(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [15] The $5 Million Class Action: Joe Strada's Fraud Docket And ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 26, 2026
- [16] 'I know the kind of man he is': Dennis Lemma backs Joe Strada in CD 11(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
- [17] Q&A: U.S. House District 11 candidates talk priorities, Webster’s legacy(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
- [18] 'American success story': Joe Strada secures support from James Uthmeier, Wayne Ivey, Bill Gladson in CD 11(opens in a new tab) Jul 21, 2026
- [19] Uthmeier, Jordan and Scalise back Joe Strada in Florida congressional race(opens in a new tab) Jul 20, 2026
- [20] Where do Republican candidates for Congressional District 11 ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 20, 2026