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Governor and Lieutenant Governor

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Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Photo of Frank J. Russo

Frank J. Russo

Frank brings more than 30 years of insurance and executive experience to a campaign focused on affordability, accountability, and the daily realities facing Florida families. He has built successful organizations, managed teams of more than 500 people, and worked across business, housing, development, payroll, and operational leadership.

His test for government is direct: does it strengthen families, protect children, and secure Florida’s future? He believes profitability and principle can coexist when leadership places people first.

Thinking for yourself matters

Position on major issues

Artificial intelligence

Florida should compete for AI, technology investment and high-paying jobs - but existing residents shouldn't be left paying for the infrastructure that makes major developments possible.

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AI is going to change how Floridians work, what skills employers need and which industries grow.

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His approach is pro-innovation, pro-business and pro-accountability - protecting taxpayers and communities, preparing Florida workers for an economy transformed by AI, and giving more entrepreneurs a fair shot to build something successful.

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Frank's Florida Community Dividend framework would require major data center projects receiving public incentives to plan responsibly for their power, water and infrastructure needs while providing binding, measurable benefits to the communities where they build.

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Frank wants Florida preparing now - attracting the industries and jobs of the future while investing in education, skilled workforce programs and opportunities that help Floridians adapt as AI and automation reshape the economy. His Florida Future Fund specifically includes investment in preparing students and workers for AI and emerging technologies.

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Criminal justice and policing

Frank's position is straightforward: If you are a violent criminal, a trafficker or you're here to hurt people, we need to deal with that. There should be no question about it. What Florida can do is strengthen public safety partnerships, combat trafficking and exploitation, enforce the laws within its authority and make sure our state is doing its part.

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As Governor, Frank would strengthen partnerships between Florida law enforcement and federal agencies and prioritize state resources toward removing people who commit violent crimes and pose genuine threats to public safety.

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Focus law enforcement resources on the people who actually threaten our communities - violent criminals, drug traffickers, human traffickers and transnational gangs.

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People who commit violent crimes should be removed. People who work hard, obey the law and contribute to their communities deserve a system that is fair, orderly and rooted in the rule of law.

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Economy, jobs and wages

Frank's proposed $100 million Florida Women's Entrepreneur Initiative would help qualified women learn the fundamentals of running a business, develop a viable plan, access professional support, compete for performance-based startup assistance and grow businesses that create Florida jobs.

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His philosophy is Caring Capitalism - encouraging entrepreneurship, investment, growth and extraordinary success while recognizing that a strong economy also depends on teachers, nurses, tradespeople, first responders, workers and families being able to afford a future here.

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Women’s Entrepreneurship - Give more women the tools to learn, launch and grow Florida businesses through practical training, professional support, access to capital and performance-based startup assistance.

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Frank's plan would expand technical training and create more paid apprenticeship opportunities connecting students directly with employers and skilled careers.

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Frank would expand English-language and workforce-development opportunities that help legal immigrants successfully integrate into Florida's economy.

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Education

Frank is proposing to raise Florida's average teacher salary to at least $75,000 a year while strengthening teacher recruitment, retention and classroom support.

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We should cut bureaucracy before we cut teachers.

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He wants Florida schools to help young people develop confidence, character and capability so they're prepared to make decisions, solve problems, adapt and succeed when they leave the classroom.

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Frank wants to raise Florida's average teacher salary to at least $75,000, strengthen teacher recruitment and retention, and expand skilled trades, apprenticeships and career pathways so every student has a path to a good-paying future. He is also working to become a Florida substitute teacher because leadership begins by listening - and Frank believes elected officials should experience the classrooms their decisions affect.

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His approach is to reduce administrative waste and redirect resources toward teachers and classrooms rather than allowing bureaucracy to continue growing. His existing education proposal also calls for using state reserves as a bridge for increased teacher compensation rather than initially funding the increase through new taxes.

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Energy

Frank's Florida Community Dividend framework would require major data center projects receiving public incentives to plan responsibly for their power, water and infrastructure needs while providing binding, measurable benefits to the communities where they build.

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Data Centers & AI Infrastructure - Welcome technology investment while requiring major projects receiving public incentives to plan responsibly for power, water and infrastructure needs and deliver measurable benefits to the communities where they build.

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Healthcare

Frank believes lawful medical decisions should be made by Floridians in consultation with their healthcare providers - not dictated by government.

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His Florida Medical Freedom Initiative protects informed consent and individual medical choice while strengthening patient rights, access to accurate information and transparency and accountability in public health decision-making.

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Healthcare - Address nursing shortages and strengthen Florida's healthcare workforce.

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Housing

With more than 30 years in the insurance industry, Frank understands this system from the inside. His plan is focused on bringing greater accountability, competition and stability to Florida's insurance market - and making sure homeowners come first.

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Frank wants to work with developers and the private sector to build more housing - but when taxpayer dollars or public incentives are involved, taxpayers deserve to know what they're getting in return. His plan ties public support to real, measurable and lasting affordability.

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Property Insurance Reform - Put homeowners first with a more affordable, accountable and transparent insurance system - backed by Frank's more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

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Housing Affordability & Accountability - Build more housing working Floridians can afford while demanding measurable results when taxpayer dollars and public incentives are involved.

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Property Tax Relief - Help Floridians keep more of what they earn, pursue additional relief for homeowners and hold government accountable for how property tax dollars are spent.

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Immigration

Frank believes the federal government needs to secure the border, enforce the law and finally create a legal process that actually works. He supports calling on Congress to establish an earned federal process for long-term, law-abiding residents who meet strict legal requirements, including background checks and compliance with federal law.

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He would establish a Governor's Immigration Advisory Council bringing together law enforcement, business leaders, agriculture, faith leaders, legal immigrants and local officials.

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Frank would crack down on that exploitation while strengthening employment verification requirements for state agencies and state contractors so taxpayer-funded jobs comply with federal law.

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Frank believes Florida can protect its communities, uphold the rule of law, support legal immigration and still treat people with dignity. Those principles are not in conflict. His Common Sense Immigration Principles focus on stronger public safety partnerships, targeting violent criminals, traffickers and gangs, cracking down on worker exploitation, supporting legal immigration and pushing Washington to finally address a broken federal immigration system.

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Immigration is primarily a federal responsibility. A Florida governor cannot create citizenship, establish federal immigration status or single-handedly fix the nation's immigration system. What Florida can do is strengthen public safety partnerships, combat trafficking and exploitation, enforce the laws within its authority and make sure our state is doing its part.

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Taxes and government spending

Frank supports responsible property tax relief while protecting schools, public safety and essential services. But he also believes government needs to do its part - eliminate waste, spend smarter and show taxpayers where their money is going.

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The first $1 million in spending - $0 in proposed Florida consumption tax. Spending costs above $1 million - proposed 9.9% consumption tax. The tax can replace other taxes that take money Floridians are trying to make or build from investment, like certain business and sales taxes.

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Revenue would be legally protected and dedicated to investments in Floridians and Florida's economic future.

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Conflict-of-interest protections - Guardrails against favoritism involving friends, family, donors or insiders.

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Competitive procurement - Objective processes for contracts and grants.

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Technology and privacy

Frank wants Florida to lead the next generation of American innovation - attracting new technology, investment and jobs while making sure Floridians have the opportunity to share in that growth.

russo2026.com ·

Florida should compete for AI, technology investment and high-paying jobs - but existing residents shouldn't be left paying for the infrastructure that makes major developments possible.

russo2026.com ·

AI is going to change how Floridians work, what skills employers need and which industries grow.

russo2026.com ·

His approach is pro-innovation, pro-business and pro-accountability - protecting taxpayers and communities, preparing Florida workers for an economy transformed by AI, and giving more entrepreneurs a fair shot to build something successful.

russo2026.com ·

Frank's Florida 9.9 proposal would reinforce that investment through the protected Florida Future Fund - supporting teacher pay, skilled trades and apprenticeships, and education and retraining for workers affected by AI and automation.

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