Navy veteran and former congressional candidate Phil Ehr (D) announced Wednesday that he was dropping his bid for Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.) seat and instead running for the state’s 28th Congressional District.
“I am running to represent the people of South Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys with integrity. The incumbent joined MAGA extremists in creating dysfunction and chaos in Congress,” Ehr will say in prepared remarks, per a press release.
Ehr was referring to incumbent Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), who was among 20 Republicans who voted against Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) during the House Speakership vote Tuesday.
“Floridians want their individual freedoms protected and a democracy and economy that work for them. I will fight for this everyday in Congress,” he will add.
Ehr’s decision to exit the field, just months after launching his Senate bid in mid-July, helps clear the path for former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) to run on the Democratic side against Scott. Businessman Matt Boswell and several others are also seeking the Democratic nomination, and former Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) has filed paperwork for a run.
Ehr last ran for Congress in 2020 against Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the state’s 1st Congressional District, losing to the Florida Republican by more than 30 points.