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D Democratic · U.S. House 17, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

Matthew
Montavon

Democratic nominee for Florida's 17th Congressional District challenging incumbent Rep. Greg Steube in November 2026

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
16
positions
11
endorsements
5
montavon4congress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Greg Steube R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Matthew Montavon is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Florida's 17th Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Greg Steube in the November 3 general election. He won the Democratic primary on August 18, 2026. 118

Montavon was born in South Bend, Indiana, and has lived in Southwest Florida since the 1990s. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish from the Catholic University of America and a master's in public administration from Indiana University. 2711

His professional background includes two years in the Peace Corps, work supporting migrant farm workers through the Illinois Migrant Council, six years in regional planning, and approximately 27 years with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (with FAO posts listed from 1991 to 2017). 2711 He has served as president of the Sarasota Democratic Hispanic Caucus and as former chair of the Democrats Abroad Rome chapter. 27

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 17, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
montavon4congress.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
    poll
    FutureBallot model rates FL-17 race 'Safe R,' gives Montavon 3% chance of winning

    FutureBallot's forecast model (not a public poll) rated the FL-17 race 'Safe R' and projected a 97% chance of victory for incumbent Greg Steube and a 3% chance for Montavon. Fundraising data through July 29 listed Montavon at $96,489 raised and $23,859 cash on hand.

    FL-17 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 5
    news
    Montavon completes district walk; voter-registration deadline passes

    Montavon completed his roughly 80-mile, nine-day walk of the district. October 5 was also the voter-registration and party-change deadline for the November general election, as reported by Spectrum News.

    Political Connections Florida October 5 2026 · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 2
    debate
    Montavon calls for debate with Steube during local radio report on district walk

    In a local radio report about his district walk, Montavon said he would like to debate incumbent Greg Steube and planned to go to Steube's office to ask. No debate was confirmed or scheduled as of the report.

    Congressional candidate walks his district in nine days - WSLR+Fogartyville · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 30
    news
    Florida Politics summarizes Montavon's policy positions during district walk

    A Florida Politics summary of Daily Sun coverage reported that Montavon criticized ICE's treatment of detainees, opposed proposed property-tax changes in Amendment 3, and raised environmental concerns about data centers, with his campaign emphasizing effective government, environmental protection, and constituent engagement.

    Sunburn — The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics — 9.30.26 · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 28
    news
    Montavon begins 80-mile, nine-day walk across FL-17 district

    Montavon undertook a nine-day walk of more than 80 miles from Fort Myers toward North Sarasota to meet voters and better understand local needs. He emphasized being 'on the ground' and accessible, and raised infrastructure weaknesses as a key issue.

    Montavon's Marathon: Day 2 — Montavon For Congress · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 23
    endorsement
    News-Press opinion letter praises Montavon, notes he refuses corporate PAC money

    An individual contributor's opinion letter in the News-Press urged voters to consider Montavon and described some of his positions, including refusing corporate PAC money. This was an individual's endorsement, not an organizational one.

    UnitedHealthcare subscribers betrayed by Lee Health · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 22
    news
    Montavon attends North Port City Commission meeting on data centers

    Montavon's campaign publicized his attendance at a North Port City Commission meeting where the commission voted 4–1 for an 18-month pause on large data centers, citing concerns about water and electricity use. The campaign described Montavon as supporting protection of local wetlands and waterways.

    North Port City Commission Meeting — Montavon For Congress · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Aug 18
    filing
    Montavon wins Democratic primary for FL-17 with 55.4% of the vote

    Montavon defeated Allen Spence in the Democratic primary, receiving 55.4% (27,627 votes) to Spence's 44.6% (22,270 votes), securing the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Greg Steube in Florida's 17th Congressional District.

    FL-17 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Americans for Democracy organization
    Campaign states Montavon received the endorsement of this organization, mentioned in the Angie Nixon announcement. No separate announcement date found. montavonforcongress.com
  • James Muwakkil (identified as president of the Lee County NAACP) other
    Campaign lists an endorsement announcement from Muwakkil in his capacity as Lee County NAACP president. No announcement date verified. Note: this is an endorsement by an individual in that role, not necessarily a formal organizational endorsement by the Lee County NAACP. montavonforcongress.com
  • American People's Compact (APC) organization
    Campaign announced the endorsement on August 12, 2026. montavonforcongress.com · Aug 12, 2026
  • Moms Demand Action organization
    Campaign says Montavon received the 2026 Gun Sense Candidate distinction. Presented as a candidate distinction rather than a conventional endorsement; campaign post dated August 11, 2026. montavonforcongress.com · Aug 11, 2026
  • Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon official
    Announced July 14, 2026; campaign post published July 17, 2026. Montavon thanked Rep. Nixon for her endorsement. montavonforcongress.com · Jul 14, 2026

Campaign finance

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

Raised
$96K
Spent
$73K
Cash on hand
$24K

As of Jul 29, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4FL17060(opens in a new tab)

Sources 16

  1. [1] Montavon For Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] FL-17 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  3. [3] Political Connections Florida October 5 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  4. [4] Congressional candidate walks his district in nine days - WSLR+Fogartyville(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  5. [5] Sunburn — The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics — 9.30.26(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  6. [6] Montavon's Marathon: Day 2 — Montavon For Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  7. [7] The Platform - Montavon For Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
  8. [8] UnitedHealthcare subscribers betrayed by Lee Health(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  9. [9] North Port City Commission Meeting — Montavon For Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  10. [10] News(opens in a new tab) Aug 17, 2026
  11. [11] Issues(opens in a new tab) Aug 15, 2026
  12. [12] Democratic Steube challengers face off at forum - WSLR+Fogartyville(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
  13. [13] APC Proudly Endorses Mathew Montavon — Montavon For Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 12, 2026
  14. [14] Mom Demand Action - Gun Sense Candidate — Montavon For Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
  15. [15] Meet Matthew Montavon, 1 of 2 Dems running in U.S. District 17 primary(opens in a new tab) Jul 28, 2026
  16. [16] STATE REP. ANGIE NIXON ENDORSES MATTHEW MONTAVON ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 17, 2026
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