Ryan Elijah

Affordability. It starts with sound energy policies. High gas prices increase the cost of doing business, which are often passed along to the consumer. We need to improve the permitting process and increase domestic production. Out of control government spending during Covid, led to a sharp spike in inflation and higher interest rates. Congress must get that under control. We need business policies that remove unneeded regulations and encourage high-paying job growth. Recent tax cuts have helped many residents with no taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security and tax breaks for small businesses.  We must also work to reduce health care premiums and provide greater transparency and competition.

Consumer protection. Fraud and consumer scams have sharply increased, often targeting our senior citizens. I’ve spent my career exposing scams and fighting for consumers — our seniors lose billions every year, and the people targeting them are getting more sophisticated. I’ll fight for the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act, which funds elder justice task forces so local, state, and federal agencies can finally coordinate on prosecuting these criminals. And I’ll back the NO FAKES Act, which creates a federal right protecting your voice and likeness from deepfakes.

Reduce wasteful government spending. Congress has failed the American people in controlling government spending, leading to inflation, higher interest rates and a staggering national debt.  This impacts so many aspects of our economy; interest on the national debt has grown to one of our biggest line items in the federal budget.  If we don’t control the national debt, our children will pay the price with higher taxes, fewer services and a weaker economy.  We must cut fraud and unnecessary discretionary spending,  while protecting Social Security and Medicare from benefit cuts.

I left my career to answer the call from so many in our community for new representation in Washington. My wife and I raised our boys in the district, while also listening to and representing residents as a public figure in the news business. Our residents deserve someone that will listen to them, understands their needs and will fight for them in Washington.  I am absolutely committed to doing that.  I have built trust and long relationships with many community leaders and leaders in Washington. Both of those will be essential to delivering needed results and federal assistance for our district. 

Floridians must be able to realize the American dream of owning their own home. We saw a large spike in prices during Covid, leaving  many families struggling to buy their first home. Property tax relief and lower interest rates would both help the the affordability issues. Controlling government spending and debt is key here as it influences long-term interest rates like home mortgages.  First time home buyer programs and downpayment assistance programs are also useful in helping families afford their first home. Recently passed federal legislation also cuts red tape to allow more housing supply, which will help with pricing. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act also streamlines environmental reviews and zoning so builders can builders are able to build. Insurance reform will also be key to housing affordability.

This is up to Florida voters to decide. Folks are struggling. Florida residents absolutely need property tax relief – whether through the passage of Amendment 3 or through legislative action – but no solution should come with a loss of critical services, especially when it comes to public safety. Editor’s note: Elijah previously told Oviedo Community News that he would vote no on Amendment 3. 

I have heard from so many residents that they want local control on data centers. I completely agree.  Like so many issues, Florida is ahead of the federal government on regulations for data centers. Senate Bill 484 is a good start, but we need more protections for our local communities. Data Centers should only be allowed in industrial sites and only with reclaimed water.  They should produce all of the electricity they consume, so local residents are not facing higher utility bills. The final decision should be up to the local community.

We must protect our 47 miles of coastline in the district, which have been heavily damaged in recent years by hurricanes and storms. Our beaches in Volusia County bring in billions of dollars to our local economy through tourism, over 30,000 jobs and a large portion of sales tax revenue. I have already met with current members of Congress and local leaders to discuss the best path forward to strengthen our beautiful coastline. I am committed to getting federal funding for beach restoration in Volusia County.

During the end of the Biden administration, millions of people took advantage of open border policies and entered the United States illegally. There must be cooperation between our local, state and federal authorities to handle the dangerous situation this has created. Our first priority should be to remove illegal immigrants that have committed crimes in this country. Our laws must be enforced and ignoring them undermines the system. I speak with our local sheriffs often; Central Florida has not seen the immigration issues we have seen in other parts of the country because there is a much better cooperation here between the local and federal agencies – that must continue.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Constitution doesn’t protect a right to abortion, returning the issue to the states.  

Elijah declined to answer. 

Our school districts are critical to our country’s future. There are many reasons for declining enrollment and they must all be addressed. We must maintain quality public schools that prepare our students for their future. Every family deserves a great school, and I support letting parents make that choice, whether it’s a public school, a voucher for a private school or the right to home school. 

We most protect our elections and make sure Americans have trust in the system.  Every eligible American should be able to vote and every legal vote should count.  Confidence in our elections is the foundation of democracy and that confidence comes from verification, not lowered standards.  I strongly believe that citizenship must matter in our elections and you should be required to show a photo id – which is required in Florida and the majority of states now.