Rachel Grage seeks Florida's 5th Congressional District seat

Rachel Grage, a Democrat, is running for U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 5th Congressional District. She faces Republican John H. Rutherford in the Nov. 3 general election.

Asked why she is running, Grage said in our questionnaire: "As an engineer, health care professional, and mother of four, I am running for Congress in Florida's 5th District to bring pragmatic, solutions-focused leadership back to our government … I apply fact-based problem solving to tackle the real challenges facing local families …"

Candidate information

Age: 55, according to Grage's response to the News4JAX voter's guide.

Residence: Grage is a New York state native who moved to Florida in 2019, according to Florida Politics.

Education: Asked about her education, Grage said in our questionnaire: "I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering because I wanted the tools to solve tough, tangible problems. But I also minored in dance—because discipline, stamina, and creative expression matter just as much."

Family: Grage said in our questionnaire: "My husband, a dedicated physician and veteran who served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army, instilled in our home a profound respect for service, discipline, and caring for others. Together, we built a life grounded in hard work and community, raising four incredible children—including our twin daughters."

Primary results: Grage won the 2026 Democratic primary for Florida's 5th Congressional District, defeating Mark Heggestad and Alex Hazen, according to The Florida Trib. She raised $272,423 through July 29.

Experience and public service

Asked about her qualifications, Grage said in our questionnaire: "Outside the lab, Iʼve served our community as an elected HOA president, balancing budgets, resolving local concerns, and tracking state legislation that impacts our neighborhoods."

Grage ran for Florida House District 16 in 2024, according to The Florida Trib. She also served as a legislative liaison at local Democratic organizations in Florida, according to Florida Politics.

On the issues

Top priority: Grage said in our questionnaire: "I view family affordability as a major issue that warrants attention from Congress. Drawing on my background as a biomedical engineer, I focus on policy areas that affect household budgets, including healthcare costs, housing affordability, and insurance rates."

Healthcare: Grage said in our questionnaire: "Healthcare must be treated as a guaranteed human right rather than a corporate commodity. To achieve universal coverage, Congress should enact the Medicare for All Act for comprehensive, zero-out-of-pocket care, permanently extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, and close the Medicaid coverage gap."

Cost of living: Grage said in our questionnaire: "To lower everyday costs, Congress must challenge corporate profiteering and make targeted public investments through key legislation. In housing, passing the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act and the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act eliminates tax subsidies for institutional investors …"

Federal spending and taxes: Grage said in our questionnaire: "Long-term economic strength requires a balanced approach to fiscal responsibility, pairing spending discipline with fair tax reform … Congress should enact the Carried Interest Fairness Act, adjust the corporate tax rate to 25%, and allow the 2017 rate cuts on incomes over $400,000 to expire while preserving middle-class tax relief."

Best advice: Grage said in our questionnaire: "'Define the problem before you try to solve it.' In engineering, the worst mistakes come from rushing to a solution before you understand what's actually broken … I'll bring that discipline to Congress: listen first, look at the evidence, define the problem honestly, and then build solutions that actually work for the people of this district."