Rachel Grage seeks Florida CD 5 seat on cost-of-living platform

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 candidate 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."

Candidate information

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

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 …" She attended Tulane University.

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."

She added in our questionnaire: "Today, two of our children are following their father's footsteps in medical school … Another works right here in Florida as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World … And our youngest is abroad, representing American goodwill as a Fulbright recipient teaching English in Poland."

Primary results: Grage won the 2026 Democratic primary, defeating Mark Heggestad and Alex Hazen. She was the top Democratic fundraiser in the primary, raising $272,423 through July 29, according to The Florida Trib.

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

Experience and public service

Grage said in our questionnaire: "I spent years as a biomedical engineer researching medical therapies …" and "… served our community as an elected HOA president, balancing budgets, resolving local concerns, and tracking state legislation that impacts our neighborhoods."

She 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: "Congress should pass the bipartisan Fiscal Commission Act … and enforce statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rules to ensure all new spending or tax cuts are fully offset."

Energy and environment: Grage said in our questionnaire: "Environmental policy must prioritize community resilience by funding coastal flood mitigation and supporting the Growing Climate Solutions Act …"

Best advice: Asked about the best advice she ever received, Grage said in our questionnaire: "Define the problem before you try to solve it."