SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Incumbent Republican Greg Steube is projected to retain his seat as U.S. Rep. for Florida’s 17th Congressional District over Democratic nominee Manny Lopez, according to the Associated Press.
District 17 covers all of Sarasota and Charlotte counties, as well as part of Lee County.
Steube has been serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 17th congressional district since 2019. He currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, alongside the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, according to his campaign website.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Steube graduated from the University of Florida with both undergraduate and law degrees. While in law school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Regarding Amendments 3 and 4 on Florida’s ballot, Steube stated on his website that he is a "staunch defender of the right to life."
When concerning marijuana legalization, Steube reportedly sponsored a measure that pushed for transferring marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substance Act.
Other issues that Steube says he will look to tackle during his new term are:
- Agriculture and supporting policies that help create fair trade markets for American farmers
- Big Tech
- Border and immigration
- Disaster Relief
- Managing education at the state level
- Increasing domestic energy production
- Environment and water quality
- Second Amendment