Florida New Members 2025

Rep.-elect Michael Haridopolos (R-Fla.-8) 

Date of Birth / March 15, 1970  
Residence / Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.  
Occupation / Consultant, Author, Professor (University of Florida, Eastern Florida State College)  
Education / B.A., Stetson University; M.A., University of Arkansas  
Family / Married to Stephanie with three children   

Rep.-elect Michael Haridopolos (R–Fla.) beat Sandy Kennedy (D-Fla.) in the race to represent Florida’s 8th Congressional District, which includes areas of the east coast of Florida such as Melbourne, Cape Canaveral and parts of Orange County.   

Haridopolos had a previous career in the Florida House of Representative's 26th District. He also served in the Florida state Senate from 2008 to 2010 before serving as president from 2010 to 2012. During this time, he authored one of the largest tax cuts in the state’s history and funded a program to help homeless veterans.   

During his campaign for national office, Haridopolos received endorsements from prominent Republican leaders such as former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Speaker Mike Johnson (La.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.).   

The future congressman based his campaign on stopping illegal immigration, bettering the economy and environmental sustainability. As a resident of Brevard County and representative of the district that houses Indian River Lagoon, Haridopolos also made environmental protection a keystone of his campaign.   

His campaign website states that Haridopolos supports term limits and will vote for all term-limit measures while in office.   

— Joanne Haner