Florida — 26th District

Nicole Locklin

Tax extreme wealth and lower costs

Locklin argues that the affordability crisis in housing, groceries, insurance, and healthcare is driven by political corruption and corporate greed. She advocates closing tax loopholes for billionaires and large corporations, eliminating income taxes on working families, and investing public funds in housing, public education, and union jobs.

• Close tax loopholes for billionaires and large corporations
• Reduce or eliminate income taxes on working families
• Expand affordable housing and support first-time homebuyers
• Reject corporate PAC contributions to focus on working family interests

“The affordability crisis is caused by corruption. Working families are doing everything right and still falling behind.”

“I will close those loopholes, reduce or eliminate income taxes on working families, tax extreme wealth and income fairly, and make profitable corporations contribute to the country that made their success possible.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Cut taxes and curb inflation

Diaz-Balart focuses on tax relief for South Florida families, small businesses, and seniors, noting he helped block an average 24% federal tax increase on FL-26 taxpayers. He supports eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime pay, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and providing capital for small business development.

• Eliminate federal income taxes on tips and overtime pay
• Provide tax relief for Social Security recipients so 88% pay no federal tax on benefits
• Expand the Child Tax Credit and quadrupled employer childcare credits
• Voted for federal reconciliation legislation and Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act

“No tax on tips or overtime, permanent tax cuts for working families, and relief for seniors — sparing FL-26 taxpayers an average 24% tax increase.”

Nicole Locklin

Target regime, ease broad embargo

Locklin contends that six decades of broad economic embargoes against Cuba have failed to bring democracy and instead inflict severe hardship on ordinary Cuban families. She advocates focusing sanctions specifically on corrupt officials while expanding humanitarian aid, fuel, energy infrastructure support, internet access, remittances, and family travel.

• Shift from broad economic embargo to targeted sanctions on corrupt officials
• Expand humanitarian access to food, medicine, and civilian energy infrastructure
• Expand internet access and communication tools for Cubans
• Protect family connections through remittances and travel

“Focus sanctions on officials responsible for corruption and human rights abuses, instead of broad restrictions that impact an entire population.”

“The Cuban people are not a talking point. They are not a political strategy. They are human beings who deserve freedom, dignity, opportunity, and they don't have to fight this on their own.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Fund democratic opposition and sanctions

As Chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, Diaz-Balart champions funding to counter communist regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. He has secured millions for anti-regime broadcasts and civil society organizations while demanding accountability for Cuban human rights abuses.

• Directed $25M for Cuba's democratic opposition and $30M for Radio and TV Martí
• Secured $50M for human rights in Venezuela and $15M for democracy in Nicaragua
• Fully funded U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding
• Maintained IRGC on terrorist list and pushed actions against Tren de Aragua

“Directed $25 million for Cuba's democratic opposition plus $30 million for Radio and TV Martí, $50 million for human rights and civil society in Venezuela, and $15 million for democracy and religious freedom in Nicaragua — with accountability for Cuban doctor trafficking and action against Tren de Aragua.”

Nicole Locklin

Ban stock trading and dark money

Locklin makes anti-corruption the core theme of her platform, asserting that corporate influence and self-dealing prevent government from serving the public. She proposes banning stock trading by members of Congress, overturning Citizens United, exposing dark money, and restricting lobbying.

• Ban congressional stock trading
• Overturn Citizens United and expose dark money in elections
• Reject corporate PAC contributions
• Strengthen ethics rules and close the revolving door between Congress and lobbying

“I will fight to ban congressional stock trading, overturn Citizens United, expose dark money, strengthen ethics rules, and stop the revolving door between Congress and lobbying.”

“Corruption is the reason we cannot have the things Americans deserve.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Support transparency and voter eligibility

Diaz-Balart supports federal legislative transparency and measures to restrict federal voting to verifiable U.S. citizens. He voted for the SAVE Act to mandate documentary citizenship proof for federal voter registration and supported releasing Department of Justice records related to Jeffrey Epstein.

• Voted Yea on SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship to vote
• Voted Yea on Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405)
• Voted Yea on No Rogue Rulings Act (H.R. 1526) limiting federal district court injunctions

“The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), was a bill passed by the House of Representatives on 4/10/2025 that required individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.”

Nicole Locklin

Protect civil rights and dignity

Locklin prioritizes civil rights and humane treatment in immigration policy, opposing policies she views as needlessly punitive toward immigrant families. She emphasizes economic justice and civil rights over strict border restrictions.

• Focus on civil rights and human rights for immigrant communities
• Oppose policies that promote cruelty over opportunity

“I am most interested in how corruption and concentrated wealth affect affordability, healthcare, democracy, civil rights, and the ability of ordinary people to live healthy, secure, and free lives.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Enforce strict border and deportation

Diaz-Balart emphasizes border security, mandatory immigration detention, and rapid deportation of unauthorized immigrants who commit crimes. He sponsored and voted for legislation prioritizing border infrastructure, fentanyl interdiction, and deportations for DUIs or theft offenses.

• Voted Yea on Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring DHS detention for theft/burglary arrests
• Voted Yea on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2)
• Voted Yea on DUI deportation act (H.R. 875)
• Voted Yea to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (H.Res. 863)

“Led FY26 Homeland Security funding prioritizing border security, detention and swift removal of criminal aliens, and expanded resources to stop fentanyl trafficking”

Nicole Locklin

Guarantee universal healthcare for all

Locklin supports guaranteeing healthcare as a fundamental right for all Americans, lowering prescription drug prices, and strengthening Medicare. She proposes funding universal healthcare by closing corporate tax loopholes and taxing extreme wealth.

• Guarantee universal healthcare for every American
• Lower prescription drug costs
• Strengthen Social Security and Medicare

“We should use that revenue to guarantee healthcare for every American, lower prescription costs, strengthen Medicare and Social Security, support childcare and education, and invest in America's future.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Expand community health centers

Diaz-Balart champions federal funding for local health providers, securing $1.9 billion for Community Health Centers and cosponsoring legislation to cover multi-cancer early detection under Medicare. However, he voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which established Medicare prescription drug price negotiations.

• Delivered $1.9B for Community Health Centers
• Cosponsored Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
• Secured $10M for cancer screenings via the Alcee L. Hastings program
• Voted Nay on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

“Delivered $1.9 billion for Community Health Centers, $10 million for cancer screenings through the Alcee L. Hastings program, and expanded pediatric medical education.”

Nicole Locklin

Promote climate resilience and environmental justice

Locklin identifies climate resilience and environmental justice as key policy passions, emphasizing sustainable investments that protect vulnerable communities from ecological threats.

• Promote climate resilience and environmental justice
• Direct federal resources away from corporate subsidies toward ecological protections

“Choose a world in which our money funds schools instead of cruelty, healthcare instead of corruption, and opportunity instead of war.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Deliver Everglades funding and infrastructure

As Founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Everglades Caucus, Diaz-Balart has delivered over $6 billion for Everglades restoration projects, including the EAA and C-43 reservoirs. He has also directed over $128 million in Community Project Funding for FL-26 roads, drainage, and port facilities, though he voted against the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

• Delivered $6B+ for Everglades restoration (EAA and C-43 Reservoirs, CERP)
• Secured $128.5M in Community Project Funding for I-75 widening, Hialeah stormwater, and Miami Lakes drainage
• Delivered $44M for Port Miami Cold Chain and $109.4M for Metro Express BRT
• Voted Nay on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684)

“Founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Everglades Caucus — more than $6 billion delivered since his election for the EAA and C-43 Reservoirs and other CERP projects, plus streamlined Section 404 permitting.”

Nicole Locklin

Invest in public schools and childcare

Locklin prioritizes robust federal investments in public schools, early childhood education, and childcare. She opposes redirecting public education dollars to private programs and advocates quadrupling employer childcare tax credits.

• Invest in public schools and public education infrastructure
• Expand affordable childcare and support working parents

“I will fight to lower costs, expand affordable housing, protect Social Security and Medicare, support first-time homebuyers, invest in public schools and childcare, and create good-paying union jobs.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Expand school choice and safety

Diaz-Balart supports expanding educational options through charter schools, magnet programs, and federal school choice tax credits, while maintaining Pell Grants. He also secured $135 million for school violence prevention programs and voted to restrict transgender women from participating in women's school sports.

• Increased charter school funding by $60M and backed federal school choice tax credit
• Secured $135M under STOP School Violence Act for threat assessments and security
• Voted Yea on Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28)

“Increased charter school funding by $60 million, preserved Pell Grants and magnet schools, and backed the first federal school choice tax credit.”

Nicole Locklin

Support veterans through healthcare and social security

Locklin supports veterans by advocating universal healthcare access, expanded mental health resources, and protecting federal entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security.

• Guarantee universal healthcare access including mental health care
• Protect Medicare and Social Security benefits

“We can use that revenue to guarantee healthcare, lower housing costs, strengthen Social Security and Medicare, invest in schools and childcare, create good union jobs, and protect our communities.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Increase VA funding and local centers

Diaz-Balart championed $115.1 billion for VA medical care in the FY26 MILCON-VA appropriations bill, targeting mental health, toxic exposure treatment, and rural healthcare. He also secured $9 million for Collier County's Veterans Community Center and backed legislation protecting veterans from financial exploitation.

• Championed $115.1B for VA medical care in FY26 MILCON-VA bill
• Secured $9M for Collier County Veterans Community Center
• Supported laws protecting veterans from fraud, inflation, and foreclosure

“Championed $115.1 billion for VA medical care in the FY26 MILCON–VA bill — mental health, toxic exposure treatment, and rural health for Miami-Dade's 17,000-plus veterans — alongside new laws protecting veterans from fraud, inflation, and foreclosure.”

Nicole Locklin

Tax corporations and support working families

Locklin's economic platform focuses on closing corporate tax loopholes and supporting working families, without detailing specific agricultural subsidies.

• Ensure profitable corporations pay taxes to support domestic infrastructure and services

“Billionaires and giant corporations use loopholes and political influence to avoid paying what they owe, while working people pay taxes from every paycheck.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Fund citrus research and estate tax relief

Diaz-Balart consistently supports Florida's agricultural sector, securing more than $72 million for citrus greening research and plant health inspection. He also supported estate tax relief aimed at protecting family-owned farms in FL-26.

• Secured $72M+ for Florida citrus health and citrus greening programs
• Supported funding for ag research, food safety, and rural development
• Provided death tax relief protecting 242 local family farms

“Backed more than $72 million for citrus health programs — including the fight against citrus greening — plus funding for agricultural research, plant and animal health inspection, food safety, and rural development supporting Florida's farmers, growers, and ranchers.”

Nicole Locklin

Protect civil rights and community safety

Locklin emphasizes civil rights, digital rights, and economic security as the foundation for safe communities, advocating ethical governance and human rights protections.

• Protect civil rights, digital rights, and fundamental human rights
• Address root economic drivers of crime

“I am most interested in how corruption and concentrated wealth affect affordability, healthcare, democracy, civil rights, and the ability of ordinary people to live healthy, secure, and free lives.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Fund law enforcement and combat crime

Diaz-Balart secured over $11 million in FY26 federal funding for Miami-Dade and regional police departments for patrol vehicles, technology, and mobile command centers. He supported tax exemptions on overtime pay for first responders and backed federal anti-crime legislation.

• Delivered $11M+ in FY26 funding for law enforcement patrol vehicles and tech
• Supported LEOSA Reform Act and Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act
• Supported tax exemption on overtime pay for first responders

“Delivered over $11 million in FY26 funding for Miami-Dade and regional law enforcement — new patrol vehicles, upgraded technology, and mobile command centers — while championing House-passed bills like the LEOSA Reform Act and the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act.”