Groves, Pericola, Strada race for HD11 at polls

After an eight-candidate primary race for U.S. House District 11, three candidates — Ralph Groves, James Pericola and Joe Strada — are running for the seat in the general election. The winner will ultimately replace longtime congressman Daniel Webster, who announced his retirement in April, and represent portions of several counties in west Central Florida. 

Read more about each candidate’s endorsements, funding and issues below. 

Ralph Groves, Libertarian Party 

• Endorsements: Groves has not publicly released any endorsements on social media or on his campaign website. 

• Funding: Total contributions to Groves’ campaign were not available on the Federal Election Commission website as of Wednesday afternoon. 

• Issues: Groves’ campaign website expresses that Groves “applauds the abolition of the Federal Department of Education,” “believes U.S. defense industries should be allocated increased funding,” and “opposes deepening of U.S. support for Ukraine.” Groves said in a post-August primary election interview with FOX 35 Orlando that his first priority upon winning the race would be to “revigorate the War Powers Act, which puts Congress in charge of declaring war.”  
  “Any president has only 60 days to commit U.S. forces overseas — hopefully in defense of the United States and its interests — but beyond 60 days, Congress has to be well-informed as to what the goals are and to approve of any further military action,” he said. 

James Pericola, Democratic Party 

• Endorsements: Pericola has received endorsements from Reproductive Freedom for All, American Association for Justice, Seafarers International Union, Orlando Sentinel, Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Florida Democratic Agricultural Caucus and more. Individual endorsements include Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer and state representatives RaShon Young and Rita Harris. 
  “James has the experience, humility, and deep sense of service that Central Floridians deserve,” said state senator LaVon Bracy Davis in her endorsement. “In Congress, he will restore the outreach and constituent services our communities have been missing and fight for the people of this district. He will also aggressively hold this dangerous and unlawful administration accountable through strong congressional oversight.” 

• Funding: Pericola has raised $160,403.90 in contributions, received a total of $64,965 in loans, and has offset $499.02 to operating expenditures, according to the Federal Election Commission. He has spent a total of $190,672.27, including a loan repayment of $5,000. 

• Issues: Pericola’s campaign website lists five priorities: “protect Social Security and Medicare,” “protect affordable healthcare,” “lower housing and insurance costs,” “cut taxes for working families,” and “protecting our democracy.” 
  “Families across Central Florida are working harder than ever while the cost of housing, insurance, groceries, and utilities continue to rise,” he said in a July questionnaire with The Apopka Chief. “Our tax system should give working and middle-class families more breathing room instead of continuing to reward large corporations.” 

Joe Strada, Republican Party 

• Endorsements: Strada has received endorsements from four county sheriffs, six state representatives, and Florida attorney general James Uthmeier, according to his campaign website. 
  “Joe works hard and cares about people. He values the dignity of a job and what that can do to change the trajectory of someone’s life,” said former state senator Carey Baker, against whom Strada ran in the primary, in his Facebook endorsement. “Joe has stood with our first responders and will fight to ensure they have the resources they need to keep us safe. He’ll work to expand opportunities in the trades, to protect our Second Amendment rights and to cut taxes… I am incredibly proud to endorse Joe Strada for Congress because I know he will put Central Florida first, always.” 

• Funding: According to the Federal Election Commission, Strada has received $512,075.39 in contributions and made three loans totaling $5 million. He has spent a total of $4,652,007.69, all but $1,000 of which was spent on operating expenditures. 

• Issues: According to Strada’s campaign website, Strada’s top three priorities are “investigate congressional insider trading,” “enact term limits” and “a balanced budget amendment.” 
  “President Trump has exposed the fraud, waste and abuse buried deep in the federal government, and we must continue to root out bureaucrats and policies that enrich greedy politicians and fraudulent NGOs,” he said in a July questionnaire with the Chief. “No one should get rich in public office.” 

Early voting runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.