FL-05 Republican nominee?
2dJohn Rutherford is now leading with 90% odds and has an 87-point margin over the prior leader.
90%
FL-05 Republican nominee?
$6.8K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age73 years old (Sep 2, 1952)
GenderMale
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LocationFlorida
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationFlorida State College at Jacksonville — Associate of Science (criminology), 1972
Notable personal detailsJohn Henry Rutherford is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving since 2017 and representing Florida’s 5th Congressional District since 2023 (previously FL-04). He previously spent decades with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, including serving as Sheriff of Jacksonville from 2003 to 2015. He also served as director of corrections for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office from 1995 to 2003. He is a Florida State University graduate and an alumnus of the FBI National Academy.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfec.govdocquery.fec.govclerk.house.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgpresidentialprayerteam.orgnewsouthpolitics.comallbiz.comballotwire.comfloridatrib.orgdos.fl.govwashingtonpost.comciqqi.comlegisletter.orgnecanet.orgrutherford.house.govnews.wjct.orgfairus.orgnews4jax.comcongress.govontheissues.orgvandrew.house.govnewsweek.comlegistorm.combreitbart.comrules.house.govrouzer.house.govaflcio.orgcof.orghoulahan.house.govcbsnews.comapnews.comballotready.orgtwitter.combostonglobe.comaxios.comsfchronicle.comabcnews.go.comseattletimes.comcontext-cdn.washingtonpost.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orghouse.goves.wikipedia.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.govjudiciary.house.govdocs.house.govgrassley.senate.govgovinfo.govwebster.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax cuts and has praised the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; favors policies that reduce taxes for individuals, seniors, and businesses. Voting record and public statements show a preference for lower taxes and tax relief measures rather than tax increases or wealth-redistribution policies.
Healthcare
John Rutherford emphasizes lowering prescription drug costs, protecting coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, expanding access to specific treatments and research, and increasing choice and flexibility in purchasing coverage; he criticizes some effects of the Affordable Care Act but does not endorse single-payer or a large federal expansion. His record shows sponsorship of bipartisan, targeted healthcare bills rather than advocacy for comprehensive government-run coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement measures while also backing some legal pathways for workers. Has cosponsored legislation to fund border barriers, supported policies to keep migrants in Mexico during proceedings, and pressed DHS for action on migrant flights and border enforcement. Endorses expanding legal worker programs alongside stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
John Rutherford opposes abortion and has characterized abortion as murder. His public statements and record indicate support for restrictions on abortion, including opposing taxpayer-funded abortions and actions aligned with pro-life positions.
Climate & Energy
Supports coastal protections and measures that block offshore oil-and-gas exploration (including introducing legislation to ban seismic testing and extend moratoria on drilling) while criticizing the Green New Deal as economically unrealistic and expressing skepticism about the degree to which recent warming is man-made; endorses resiliency measures for sea-level rise.
Public Safety & Guns
John Rutherford has voted against expansion of background checks for firearm sales and has joined legislation to block federal rules that would broaden background-check requirements. He presents a pro-Second Amendment, law-and-order approach that emphasizes responsible gun ownership while opposing additional federal restrictions.
Latest Insights
FL-05 Republican nominee?
2dJohn Rutherford's odds reached 90%, topping the previous high of 0%.
90%90%
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$897.3K
$673.0K
$448.6K
$224.3K
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$786.0K
$245.6K
$647.3K
$27.0K
Cycle 2024
$897.3K
$177.7K
$965.3K
$40.2K
Cycle 2026
$528.2K
$406.8K
$299.1K
$19.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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