Florida Politics: Jon Harris pitches ‘growth economy’ agenda in CD 16 bid

By Jesse Mendoza

Harris said his plan is meant to lower financial burdens affecting families today.

Democratic candidate Jon Harris is rolling out an economic platform for Florida’s 16th Congressional District meant to address affordability concerns in the race to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.

Harris, a combat veteran and U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer, announced that his campaign is aiming to promote a “growth economy” via a 10-point agenda focused on lowering costs for Tampa Bay families.

The plan includes annual child tax credits of at least $3,000 paid monthly, paid family and medical leave, a public health plan option to compete with private insurers, expanded national insurance options aimed at lowering catastrophe risk, and a crackdown on what the campaign described as artificial intelligence-driven insurance discrimination.

Harris is also calling for expanded federal student loan forgiveness of up to $60,000, a $15,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, policies to make AI data centers pay for higher energy and water use, and efforts to break up monopolies while supporting Tampa Bay businesses.

“The Growth Economy comes from real life. My wife and I have sat at our kitchen table after the kids were asleep, going line by line through our budget, trying to figure out how to afford childcare for our two daughters while still keeping up with everything else,” Harris said.

“And we’ve had that same question so many families are asking right now, ‘How are we doing everything right and still falling behind?’ That’s not just our story. It’s happening across Tampa Bay.”

Harris said his plan is meant to lower financial burdens affecting families today. 

“Our neighbors deserve a representative who fights for them, not the special interests that have made it harder to get ahead. Because when the basics of life cost this much, we can’t keep pretending everything is fine,” Harris said.

Harris is focused on protecting families, expanding access to healthcare and holding elected officials accountable, according to his campaign.

The platform rollout comes as candidates continue positioning themselves in one of the region’s closely watched congressional contests. Harris faces Kelly Kirschner, Tamika Lyles, Glenn Pearson and Jan Schneider in the Democratic Primary race for the seat. The winner would face the Republican nominee from a field that includes Sydney Gruters, Edward Pope and Eddie Speir.