Republican congresswoman Kat Cammack is seeking re-election in Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, which covers all of North Central Florida, including Alachua, Bradford, Columbia and Union counties and all or part of seven other counties stretching all the way to the Gulf Coast. She defeated one challenger in the Republican primary and will now face Democrat Tom Wells in November.
News4Jax sent each questionnaire asking about their background and views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Tom Wells
Occupation: From ’93 I specialized in EM measurement, analysis, and design of ground based radomes - working for 2 small companies before starting my own. From ’81, Reagan forced me to pay to politics. In 2016, as I was transitioning to retirement, the DNC slammed Bernie. I realized that I had I Congress was my life’s work.
Age: 73
Family: Wife: Divanice R. Wells. Children eldest 1st: Daughter - Ph’D in Physical Therapy, Son - Pharmacist, Daughter - M.D., Son - College in Japan. And 10 grandchildren to whom I am striving to leave a healthy planet. Actually I count 8 billion grandchildren as ya can’t save just part of the planet
Education: Ph’D. in Theoretical Physics via CalTech & U of MD followed by 15 years at Ga Tech as a Senior Scientist
Political experience: I followed climate from 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Trained with Al Gore Climate Reality, proposed a ‘Fair Market’ mechanism for rapid transition to renewables. In ’15 I started volunteering for Bernie. Been running in FL CD3 since ’16.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The week, ending July 1st, the Supreme Court set new Precedents: 1- President is a dictator. 2 - All public officials can take bribes. Ergo 3 - Our government is dysfunctional. The has subverted the Constitution that they are sworn to uphold. By declaring Trump’s bloody J6 insurrection to be a legal exercise of Presidential power, they joined him in that insurrection. The Insurrection Act exists for this purpose. The 6 treasonous Justices be removed and the Constitution restored.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am a Boomer. I am not going to Congress to make a career, I’ve had my career. I’m going to make a difference. And that theoretical physics bit fits right-in. It’s all about finding the cause from which multiple problems spring - then ripping it out root and stem.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Unwavering dedication to the brotherhood of man.
I can only paraphrase MLK on the eve of his assassination: ‘I am happy to live in this time when the problems in the world are so grave that we are forced to work together as brothers knowing that else we shall die together as fools.
Campaign website: TomWellsForCongress.com
Campaign social media: Facebook |X | Instagram
Kat Cammack
Occupation: Congresswoman for Florida’s Third Congressional District
Age: 36
Family: Matt Harrison, Husband
Education: Bachelor’s - Metro State University, Denver
Master’s - United States Naval War College
Political experience: Member of Congress, 2021-present
Deputy Chief of Staff for FL-03, 2012-2020
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Restoring our national security is a top priority for me and my colleagues next Congress. More than 12 million people have entered our country illegally since 2021, the majority of them disappearing without a trace into our communities. We’ve seen hundreds of people enter the U.S. with ties to foreign terror organizations and criminal cartels, endangering Americans across the country. We must restore law and order and regain operational control of our southern border.
Additionally, lowering inflation and improving the health of our economy are critical steps to restoring fiscal sanity. Inflation has impacted everyone, from business owners to families trying to put food on their tables to Florida’s farmers and ranchers. We have to get inflation under control with fiscally responsible policies that don’t sell our future generations down the river. Regardless of who occupies the White House, Washington, D.C. has a spending problem we must address.
The public safety of our communities is another priority. In North Central Florida, we’re blessed with a strong law enforcement community that does not tolerate crime, but the same can’t be said of the nation as a whole. With the rise in crime stemming from our southern border, I’m committed to working with my colleagues to shore up our election integrity, keep our communities safe, and ensure the soft-on-crime rhetoric does not continue.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Team Kat is known for being accessible, both here in Florida and in Washington. Our excellent constituent services are a key part of this mission and folks know they can depend on us, whether they need help with a federal agency, including the IRS or VA, to help them seek a positive resolution. We’ve returned over $20M owed to our constituents from the federal government since 2021 and we know we have more to do.
We strive to be responsive, communicative, and prepared to go to bat for our constituents. I look forward to continuing that into the next Congress.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I never take my sworn oath to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution and represent the incredible people of Florida’s Third in the halls of Congress. Our team works hard for you every day and I want folks to remember our accessibility, responsiveness, and communication to serve you and be your voice in the People’s House. Additionally, I hope to be remembered for my work to make our nation a better place for future generations, crippling the administrative state, fighting for our Armed Forces and veterans, strengthening our national security, and supporting our farmers and ranchers. This district is the best place to live, work, and play in the U.S., and I will never stop fighting to keep it that way.
Campaign website: Katforcongress.com