Republican incumbent John Rutherford is seeking his sixth term in Congress, and will face Democrat Rachel Grage in the general election, after the candidates won their respective party primaries in August.
The 5th Congressional District was redrawn by the state in 2022 and covers Duval County south and east of the St. Johns River and northern St. Johns County. The state’s 2026 congressional redistricting did not affect District 5.
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News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Rachel Grage
Occupation: Biomedical Engineer
Age: 55
Family: My family reflects a deep commitment to service, learning, and creativity. I’m married to a physician who previously served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army, grounding their household in both medical expertise and military experience. Together we have four children whose paths span science, innovation, and global engagement: two are currently in medical school, one works as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World, and one is teaching English in Poland as a Fulbright recipient. Our family story highlights a shared dedication to education, curiosity, and contributing meaningfully to the world.
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, with a minor in dance, from Tulane University.
Political experience: I served as an elected president of my homeowner’s association and spent years researching, tracking, advocating and communicating about legislation impacting the lives of Florida families.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I am deeply passionate about tackling the issues that impact our daily lives—starting with affordable housing and skyrocketing insurance costs, which are placing an immense burden on Florida families.
Public education is also a top priority for me. As a state, we rank near the bottom nationally in education funding, and our teachers and students deserve far better. I’m committed to increasing funding for our schools, raising teacher pay, and ensuring that every child in Florida has access to a world-class education.
Economic development that lifts everyone is key to building a prosperous future. We need to create opportunities for small businesses to thrive, while also fighting for equality and justice across all sectors of government.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart is that I’m not approaching this race as a career politician or someone beholden to party insiders — I’m bringing a grassroots, community‑driven perspective shaped by real experience in the issues North Florida families face every day. I’ve spent years listening to parents, teachers, healthcare workers, small‑business owners, and military families, and I understand how disconnected Washington has become from the practical realities of people’s lives. Because I’m not tied to the political establishment, I can focus on common‑sense solutions instead of culture‑war distractions, and I can work across differences to get things done. My background in STEM, my work in community advocacy, and my family’s deep ties to medicine, military service, education, and innovation give me a broad, real‑world understanding of the challenges facing this district. I’m running to bring compassion, problem‑solving, and independence back to Congress — and that’s something voters won’t get from the usual political voices.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I want to be remembered for restoring something North Florida families haven’t felt in a long time: trust that their government is working for them again. My hope is that when people look back on my time in Congress, they’ll see real progress on the issues that shape their daily lives—lower healthcare and insurance costs, stronger protections for Medicare and Social Security, and a government that is finally transparent and accountable to the people instead of big-money interests.
Campaign website: rachelgrage.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
John Rutherford
Occupation: Congressman representing Florida’s 5th Congressional District; former Jacksonville Sheriff and career law enforcement officer.
Age: 73
Family: Married to my High School sweetheart for 53 years, father, grandfather and member of Assumption Catholic Church
Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Florida State University; Graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Political experience: I served three terms (12 years) as Sheriff of Jacksonville and for nine of those 12 years, served as the Legislative Chairman for the Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Committee representing all 67 Florida Sheriffs. I was then elected to Congress in 2016. I am currently serving my fifth term representing Northeast Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives, where I serve on the House Appropriations Committee.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
First, securing our southern border and enforcing our immigration laws to keep our communities safe. Second, lowering the cost of living by cutting taxes, reducing government spending, and eliminating burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of everyday goods. Third, protecting Northeast Florida’s economy by supporting our military installations, investing in critical infrastructure, and ensuring veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. I will continue fighting for these priorities in Congress while delivering real results for the people of our district.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My experience matters. I’ve spent more than 40 years serving this community - as a police officer, Sheriff, and now Congressman. I understand how government works at every level, and I have a proven record of delivering results. Whether it’s helping veterans navigate the VA, bringing federal resources back to Northeast Florida, or passing legislation to make our communities safer, I know how to get things done.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as someone who faithfully served Northeast Florida with integrity, protected our communities, stood up for conservative principles, and always put the people I represented first. If I’ve left our district safer, stronger, and better positioned for future generations, then I’ll consider my service a success.
Campaign website: johnrutherfordforcongress.com