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D Democratic · U.S. House 28, Florida · Nov 3, 2026

Phil
"Felipe" Ehr

Retired Navy commander and Democratic challenger running for Florida's 28th Congressional District in 2026

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
18
positions
12
endorsements
11
ehrforcongress.us ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Carlos A. Gimenez R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Phil "Felipe" Ehr is a retired U.S. Navy commander running as the Democratic challenger in Florida's 28th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 election. He has no prior elected office; his 2024 run for FL-28 against Rep. Carlos Giménez ended in a loss, and he previously sought FL-1 in 2018 and 2020. [Sources 14, 16, 17]

Ehr served 26 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, rising from Seaman to Commander. His campaign reports that his service included Cold War reconnaissance missions, combat support during Operation Desert Storm, oversight of U.S. combat operations in Operation Allied Force, and a posting on NATO's Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff. [Source 7]

After retiring from the military, Ehr taught chess to children and worked with the World Chess Federation. He later founded a nonprofit focused on countering political disinformation. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of the State of New York (1983) and a master's degree in international relations from Troy University (1993). [Sources 7, 15]

Ehr's 2026 campaign has focused on national security and healthcare, drawing endorsements from former national security officials. He filed his candidacy with the Florida Division of Elections and is listed by the FEC as a challenger for FL-28. [Sources 11, 13, 14]

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 28, Florida
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
ehrforcongress.us(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

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

Timeline

  1. Nov 3
    filing
    General Election Day: Ehr faces incumbent Carlos Giménez and independent Eddy Rojas in FL-28

    The general election for Florida's 28th Congressional District is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with Ehr as the Democratic nominee challenging Republican incumbent Giménez and independent candidate Eddy Rojas.

    More former national security officials back Phil Ehr against Carlos Giménez in CD 28 · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 7
    endorsement
    The Steady State, a network of former national-security officials, announces endorsement of Ehr

    The Steady State, comprising former intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement, and homeland-security officials, announced its endorsement of Ehr. The organization cited his positions on legal constraints, presidential power, security policy, and government ethics.

    More former national security officials back Phil Ehr against Carlos Giménez in CD 28 · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 25
    endorsement
    Miami Herald editorial board endorses Ehr for FL-28

    The Miami Herald editorial board endorsed Ehr, summarizing his stated priorities including a proposed multi-level public-corruption task force, support for border security and Coast Guard resources, opposition to Medicare for All, and support for breaking up health-care monopolies.

    Herald endorsement: U.S. House District 28 · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 22
    debate
    Ehr challenges Giménez and independent Eddy Rojas to two public debates, one in Miami-Dade and one in Monroe County

    Ehr's campaign announced it had sent debate invitations to Giménez and Rojas, proposing one debate in Miami-Dade County and one in Monroe County. Ehr stated, 'Voters should be able to compare our records and our plans directly.' Responses were requested by September 25. The sources do not confirm either debate was agreed to or held.

    Phil Ehr challenges Carlos Giménez, Eddy Rojas to CD 28 debates amid statewide debate drought · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 18
    news
    Florida Politics highlights Ehr's five-day, 197-mile veterans' bicycle tour through the district ending in Key West

    Florida Politics covered Ehr's campaign bicycle tour through the district, described as a five-day, 197-mile ride concluding in Key West. The article treated it as a campaign activity without establishing any direct electoral or policy impact.

    Florida Politics Highlights Ehr's Keys Tour - Above The Fold · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 14
    endorsement
    Rep. Jamie Raskin endorses Ehr, per Politico's Florida Playbook

    Politico's Florida Playbook reported that Democratic U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin endorsed Ehr for the FL-28 seat.

    Florida pols grapple with AI debate · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 7
    endorsement
    IBEW Local 349 endorses Ehr on Labor Day

    Florida Politics reported that IBEW Local 349 endorsed Ehr on Labor Day, September 7, adding organized-labor support to his campaign against Giménez.

    More former national security officials back Phil Ehr against Carlos Giménez in CD 28 · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 1
    endorsement
    National Security Leaders for America backs Ehr; retired Col. David McDonald announces endorsement at Homestead HQ opening

    Florida Politics reported that National Security Leaders for America endorsed Ehr, with retired Army Col. David McDonald announcing the endorsement at the opening of Ehr's Homestead campaign headquarters. Retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman also attended, per the report.

    More former national security officials back Phil Ehr against Carlos Giménez in CD 28 · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Aug 18
    filing
    Democratic primary canceled; Ehr advances unopposed as Democratic nominee in FL-28

    The Democratic primary was canceled and Ehr advanced without opposition. Incumbent Republican Carlos Giménez also advanced after the Republican primary was canceled. The general-election field consists of Ehr, Giménez, and independent Eddy Rojas.

    2026 Florida's 28th Congressional District Election · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Aug 1
    news
    Ehr releases 'Comprehensive Plan for the Freedom of Cuba' supporting U.S. military action to depose Cuban regime

    Smarter.Vote reported that in August Ehr released a plan calling for lawful, congressionally authorized U.S. military action to remove Cuba's government. The plan's full text was not available in the source summary.

    Phil Ehr — 2026 Florida's 28th Congressional District ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • National Security Leaders for America organization
    Endorsed Ehr at the opening of his Homestead campaign headquarters in September 2026; reported by Florida Politics on September 21 without specifying the exact announcement date. floridapolitics.com
  • The Steady State organization
    Announced support in Florida Politics article published October 7, 2026; no separate announcement date given. floridapolitics.com
  • SEIU Florida State Council union
    Appears in iVoterGuide endorsements list updated October 9, 2026; no endorsement date stated. ivoterguide.com
  • Orlando City Commissioner Tom Keen official
    Described as a backer/endorser in Florida Politics reporting; no individual endorsement date provided. floridapolitics.com
  • Miami-Dade Community Council Member Johnny Farias official
    Described as a backer/endorser in Florida Politics reporting; no individual endorsement date provided. floridapolitics.com
  • Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Florida) official
    Endorsement displayed on Ehr's campaign website; no date given. ehrforcongress.us
  • Miami Herald Editorial Board newspaper
    Endorsed Ehr for U.S. House District 28 on September 25, 2026. miamiherald.com · Sep 25, 2026
  • U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (Maryland) official
    Raskin announced his endorsement on September 12, 2026; reported by Florida Politics on September 14. Quote: "I am proud to endorse Phil Ehr for Congress." floridapolitics.com · Sep 12, 2026
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 349 union
    Endorsed Ehr on Labor Day, September 7, 2026, according to Florida Politics reporting on October 7. floridapolitics.com · Sep 7, 2026
  • Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida organization
    Listed Ehr among endorsed general election candidates; list dated August 29, 2026. demvetsfl.org · Aug 29, 2026
  • Former Defense Secretary William J. Perry other
    Endorsement announced in a campaign press-release listing dated August 24, 2026; also mentioned as a backer in Florida Politics on October 7. ehrforcongress.us · Aug 24, 2026

Campaign finance

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

Raised
$438K
Spent
$76K
Cash on hand
$455K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4FL28042(opens in a new tab)

Sources 18

  1. [1] 2026 Florida's 28th Congressional District Election(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  2. [2] Phil Ehr — 2026 Florida's 28th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  3. [3] More former national security officials back Phil Ehr against Carlos Giménez in CD 28(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] Voter Guide Profile for FL U.S. Rep., Dist. 28 candidate - Phil Ehr(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  5. [5] Herald endorsement: U.S. House District 28(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  6. [6] Phil Ehr challenges Carlos Giménez, Eddy Rojas to CD 28 debates amid statewide debate drought(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  7. [7] Two Public Debates in Miami-Dade and Monroe - Vote Phil Ehr(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  8. [8] National Security Leaders for America endorses Phil Ehr in CD 28(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  9. [9] Florida Politics Highlights Ehr's Keys Tour - Above The Fold(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  10. [10] ‘A powerful moral compass': Jamie Raskin backs Phil Ehr as veterans bike across CD 28 for him(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  11. [11] Florida pols grapple with AI debate(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  12. [12] Following Hope Florida Findings, Phil Ehr Unveils a Two-Front ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
  13. [13] DVCF Endorsements for General Election(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
  14. [14] Meet Phil - Vote Phil Ehr(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
  15. [15] Press - Vote Phil Ehr(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
  16. [16] Vote Phil Ehr for U.S. House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
  17. [17] Cuba Intervention - ehrforcongress.us(opens in a new tab) Aug 18, 2026
  18. [18] [PDF] FL-28: Rep. Carlos Gimenez Kicks Government Funding Down the(opens in a new tab) Mar 11, 2026
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