The race for Florida’s 9th Congressional District is officially set to include a new face on the Republican ticket. Justin Story, a former Marine Corps F-18 fighter pilot, secured his place on the upcoming ballot Monday after state officials confirmed his campaign surpassed the required number of voter signatures.
Florida election law mandates that congressional hopefuls gather at least 2,564 valid signatures to qualify via the petition method. According to the latest data from the state, Story’s team turned in 2,577 verified petitions, successfully clearing the threshold and avoiding the qualifying fee often paid by candidates who miss the signature mark.
The milestone shifts the Story campaign into its next phase as the primary season approaches. Story, who has centered his platform on his military background and conservative fiscal policies, noted that the achievement was a reflection of local momentum.
“This campaign has always been powered by the people of Florida’s 9th Congressional District,” Story said following the announcement. “Every petition signature represents a voter who believes we need stronger leadership, secure borders, lower costs, and someone willing to fight for working families.”
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The 9th District has recently drawn significant attention from national political strategists. Following the most recent redistricting cycle, the area has seen a notable shift in its political leanings.
Internal metrics and recent presidential performance data suggest the district now carries a nearly 18-point Republican advantage, making it a primary target for the GOP as they look to expand their footprint in Central Florida.
Since entering the race, Story has maintained a heavy travel schedule across the district, focusing on outreach to small business owners and the veteran community. With his name now etched on the ballot, the veteran aviator indicated his team is pivoting toward the general election cycle.
“With the campaign officially qualified, we are now fully focused on winning this race and delivering results for the people of FL-9,” he said.
Voters in the district will head to the polls later this year to decide if the former pilot will represent them in Washington.
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