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R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. House 5, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

John
H. Rutherford

Republican incumbent John Rutherford seeks re-election to Florida's 5th Congressional District in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
17
positions
10
endorsements
8
johnrutherfordforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Rachel Grage D+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

John H. Rutherford is the U.S. Representative for Florida's 5th Congressional District, a seat he has held since 2017. A lifelong Jacksonville resident since 1958, he earned a B.S. in criminology from Florida State University. 12

Before entering Congress, Rutherford built a decades-long career in law enforcement with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, beginning as a patrolman in 1974. He was elected Duval County Sheriff in 2003 and re-elected in 2007 and 2011, serving in that role until 2015. 12

Rutherford represents Florida's 5th District as a Republican and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election. The Federal Election Commission classifies his 2026 candidacy as that of an incumbent. 1315

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 5, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative, Florida's 5th Congressional District
Website
johnrutherfordforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

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

Voting record

How John H. Rutherford voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,909
missed
4.0%
with their party’s majority
96%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs
    Retire through Ownership Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy
    Water Resources Development Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy
    Ratepayer Protection Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety
    National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget
    Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →

Timeline

  1. Date unknown
    filing
    Rutherford listed as Republican candidate vs. Democrat Rachel Grage in FL-5 general election on Nov. 3, 2026

    Voter-guide listings identify Rutherford as the Republican candidate and Rachel Grage as the Democratic candidate for Florida's 5th District. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. No primary-source state filing record was found in the reviewed materials to verify a specific qualifying or ballot-certification date.

    FL voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026. - iVoterGuide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 1
    news
    Rutherford welcomes Trump executive order on recreational saltwater fishing

    Rutherford issued a press release welcoming President Trump's executive order on recreational saltwater fishing, saying it would 'strengthen management of our fisheries' and improve data collection. He connected it to his Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act.

    Rutherford Statement on President Trump's Recreational ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 25
    news
    Rutherford comments on NOAA's 2026 South Atlantic recreational red snapper season

    Rutherford issued a statement on NOAA's 2026 South Atlantic recreational red snapper season, scheduled for Florida from October 9 through October 22. He described the season as an opportunity to collect data and work toward a longer, more predictable season in 2027.

    Rutherford Statement on the 2026 South Atlantic Red Snapper Season · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 17
    news
    Rutherford says he could support payments only for working, tax-paying Americans, not 'willy-nilly'

    In remarks attributed to Rutherford by Fox News Digital, he said he could support payments to people 'that are working, people that are paying taxes,' but opposed sending 'paychecks out to everybody willy-nilly.' This was a response to President Trump's proposed payment plan.

    John Rutherford would support payments only for working taxpayers, not "willy-nilly" · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Aug 16
    endorsement
    Trump reportedly issues 'Complete & Total Endorsement' of Rutherford for reelection on Truth Social

    A secondary report indicates Trump announced a 'Complete & Total Endorsement' of Rutherford for reelection on Truth Social. No primary-source post or established-news report confirming the endorsement was located in the sources reviewed, making this item less firmly documented.

    Truth Social Price, Latest Truth Social Market Data - SVMUU · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aug 5
    filing
    Rutherford pre-primary FEC filing shows $30,500 raised, $237,100 spent, $268,700 cash on hand

    A Quiver Quant summary of Rutherford's pre-primary FEC filing reported $30,500 raised, $237,100 spent, and $268,700 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period, with 62.3% of fundraising from individuals. These are figures from the summary, not a direct examination of the underlying FEC report.

    Press Release: John Rutherford Issues Statement on Trump Executive Order on Recreational Fishing | Stock News · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide; marked with an asterisk indicating the endorsement was received after the guide's evaluation deadline. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • Huck PAC organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • Florida Right to Life PAC organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • ABC Florida East Coast other
    Listed by iVoterGuide; marked with an asterisk indicating the endorsement was received after the guide's evaluation deadline. The listing does not specify a newspaper endorsement. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • National Right to Life organization
    Listed by iVoterGuide. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organization
    Listed in iVoterGuide's endorsements section for Rutherford. No date provided. ivoterguide.com
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    The Chamber announced its endorsement of Rutherford for Florida's 5th District. uschamber.com · Aug 13, 2026
  • President Donald Trump official
    Rutherford's campaign site states 'Proudly Endorsed by President Donald Trump' and includes a February 10 post thanking Trump for his 'strong endorsement.' johnrutherfordforcongress.com · Feb 10, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House FL-05 · RWonUnopposed
2020U.S. House FL-04 · RWon308,49761.1%
2018U.S. House FL-04 · RWon248,42065.2%
2016U.S. House FL-04 · RWon287,50970.2%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

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

Raised
$727K
Spent
$636K
Cash on hand
$269K

As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL04105(opens in a new tab)

Sources 17

  1. [1] FL voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026. - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] John H. Rutherford iVoterGuide Profile - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Press Release: John Rutherford Issues Statement on Trump Executive Order on Recreational Fishing | Stock News(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  4. [4] Rutherford Statement on President Trump's Recreational ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  5. [5] Truth Social Price, Latest Truth Social Market Data - SVMUU(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  6. [6] Rutherford Statement on the 2026 South Atlantic Red Snapper Season(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  7. [7] John Rutherford would support payments only for working taxpayers, not "willy-nilly"(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  8. [8] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. John Rutherford for Florida's Fifth ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
  9. [9] 2026 Voter's Guide: Florida's 5th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2026
  10. [10] Priorities(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2026
  11. [11] Rutherford Statement on House Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill(opens in a new tab) Jul 3, 2025
  12. [12] H.R.682 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Heartbeat Protection Act of ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2025
  13. [13] RELEASE: Bipartisan “Invest to Protect Act” Introduced in the House ...(opens in a new tab) May 11, 2023
  14. [14] Community Safety | Congressman John Rutherford - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jan 8, 2023
  15. [15] Environment(opens in a new tab) Jan 2, 2023
  16. [16] Republican John Rutherford for Congressional District 5(opens in a new tab) Jun 5, 2020
  17. [17] Votes and Legislation | Congressman John Rutherford(opens in a new tab) Nov 7, 2014
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