Ben Everidge for Florida

Are you crazy?? Don’t you know that national political campaigns are nasty, dirty endeavors?

Why would you ever put your name forward as a candidate for the United States Senate? Your opponents will attempt to rip you apart and make up many stories about you and your family. Fake news reflects counterfeit politics, and you will be in the bull's eye of that attack.

I am hearing it all.

I have to share with you that I am apprehensive about American democracy and its ability to survive the onslaught it is facing from abroad and within the United States of America.

Florida is ground zero for crazy.? We are the meme of the United States.? Florida Man, right?

My comfort and my privacy are not at issue.

As I considered and debated whether to run for the United States Senate from Florida, I had to examine myself deeply and see whether I was worthy of being a reputable public servant.

Did I get criminally or civilly charged 80 or 90 times during my career? No.

Did I attempt to overthrow the United States Government?? No.

Did I plead the Fifth Amendment 75 times not to incriminate myself in a crime?? No.

Did I try to do the right thing for the people I worked for?? Yes.

Was I always successful??? No. I learn as I go, so that has been a benefit, not a burden.

Am I a damn regular people person?? You bet!

I saw the darkening clouds of the Florida race for the United States Senate in 2024.

Those darkening clouds have us wondering how we got here and what the future holds in the next few years.

Like you, I am deeply worried that American democracy is in grave peril.? An immediate danger we cannot ignore.

Too many of our elected officials—Republican and Democrat alike—have their heads buried in the sand when solving our significant crises. Their party is more important to them than the people they represent. The political extremes in Washington and Tallahassee hold average Americans hostage with polarization, parochialism, partisanship, paralysis, and over-regulation.

Floridians are frustrated with a Congress that will do nothing to improve our lives.

Having sworn three times to protect and defend the Constitution during my lifetime, which I hope to do again soon, it is more important than ever to help end our do-nothing hyper-parochial national politics and protect our democracy from further harm.?

There are better choices for the Sunshine State and Washington.

I had the honor of working for a decade on congressional staff and more than thirty years in the private sector since then. I worked for Florida Legends.?

As those legends have taught me, solutions are waiting for us to use to fix these chronic problems today. We must have the will to do something finally.?

As an independent – not a major party proxy - I can help leverage that opportunity politically and find rational, reasonable, practical solutions for Floridians that you and your families can count on.

American democracy is a powerful tool when used correctly, and I am very confident that our best days are yet to come.? American democracy is not dead.?

So, what do I believe in?

Twelve tenets, I can tell you.

1.?????Protect American democracy.

2.?????Ensure the American dream with stronger jobs, safer homes, solid education, and affordable healthcare.

3.?????A more de-regulated society.

4. Comprehensive immigration reform.

5.?????A fair flat tax and balanced federal budget.

6.?????Climate change that recognizes it is real and not fake.

7.?????A solid and consistent foreign policy.

8.?????A stronger defense and smarter intelligence.

9.?????Pioneering manufacturing, innovation, and exploration.

10.???Undivided justice.

11.?? States’ rights and ethical government.

12.??? Public-private-philanthropic partnerships.

My vision for this campaign is to give Floridians something to vote for and to truly work together to overcome our most pressing challenges, not just spout the empty rhetoric of failing political parties.

These thoughts have led me to this:? I’m Ben Everidge, and I am running for the United States Senate from Florida.

Please join us.? Volunteer, donate, take a yard sign, and wear campaign gear.? It’s time to clear the dark clouds of hyper-polarizing politics and bring the sunshine back to Florida.? It’s time to tell official Washington to get their heads out of the sand and get to work for the good people of Florida and our fellow citizens across America.

God bless our great state and our remarkable nation, and may his blessings be on every one of you!

I ask for your vote.? I ask for your confidence that we can do better.