Michael
J. Quirk
Independent cybersecurity entrepreneur challenging incumbent Rep. Greg Steube in Florida's 17th Congressional District (2026)
- sources
- 4
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Michael J. Quirk is a candidate for U.S. Representative in Florida's 17th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, running with No Party Affiliation (NPA) as an independent. He has stated on his campaign homepage that he has never held elected office. 1310
Quirk was born in Peoria, Illinois, and grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago. He left high school, later earned a GED through community college, and does not list a college degree. Before entering politics, he describes a roughly 30-year technology career that included work in Indiana steel mills, Silicon Valley, and corporate roles at Merrill Lynch, Northern Trust, and United Airlines, where he contributed to technology integration following the Continental merger. 1
He founded Securipolis, a cybersecurity firm headquartered in Sarasota, and describes his professional focus as cybersecurity, data privacy, and artificial intelligence. He also chairs the Central Florida chapter of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and serves on the board of Tampa InfraGard. Quirk moved to Sarasota in 2024. 110
The incumbent in FL-17 is Republican Greg Steube. Quirk is running as a challenger against Steube in the November 2026 general election. 39
At a glance
- Party
- No Party Affiliation
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 17, Florida
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- michaelquirkforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11pollFutureBallot forecast reports no district polls exist for FL-17
FutureBallot's forecast for FL-17 noted that there were no district-level polls available for the race. This reflects the absence of polling data, not a poll result.
FL-17 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsSpectrum News notes Quirk running as independent in FL-17 alongside Steube and Montavon
Spectrum News covered campaign activity in Florida's 17th Congressional District, noting that Quirk was running as a No Party Affiliation/independent candidate alongside Republican incumbent Greg Steube and Democrat Matthew Montavon. No Quirk interview or policy positions were described.
Political Connections Florida October 5 2026 · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsQuirk confirmed on Florida's official candidate list for FL-17 general election
A FutureBallot district race forecast reported that Quirk appeared on Florida's official candidate list, citing the Florida Division of Elections as of a check conducted on October 4, 2026.
FL-17 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingQuirk's FEC fundraising report shows $12,000 raised, all self-funded, $5,000 cash on hand
ChamberLight's campaign-finance summary, based on FEC reports through June 30, listed $12,000 raised, $5,000 cash on hand, $7,000 spent, and $2,000 in debt. All $12,000 was attributed to self-funding with no itemized donors reported.
Michael Quirk (I) — Candidate for U.S. House, Florida | ChamberLight · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $12K
- Spent
- $6,960
- Cash on hand
- $4,592
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6FL17081(opens in a new tab)
Sources 4
- [1] FL-17 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Issues & Priorities | Michael Quirk for Congress | FL-17(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [3] Political Connections Florida October 5 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Michael Quirk (I) — Candidate for U.S. House, Florida | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026