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Kat Gates-Skipper Among Florida’s 29 Electors Who Voted for Donald Trump
Published
10 years agoon
By
Willie DavidTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – President-elect Donald J. Trump won all 29 of Florida’s Electoral College votes on Monday at the state capitol, and Kat Gates-Skipper of Lake Wales was one of those Electors. She serves as the Co-Chair of Florida Veterans for Donald Trump.
Elector Kat Gates-Skipper, First Woman Marine in Combat Operations
Gates-Skipper served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves. During her two decades of service, she was the first Woman Marine (WM) to stay overnight in the field for combat training, and the first to stay aboard a ship overnight. She was heavily involved in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and was the first WM in combat operations. Gates-Skipper has received countless awards and recognition for her service including the Marine Corps Distinguished Service Award. A voice and advocate for veterans, Gates-Skipper is a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Marine Corps League, where she is the only female and youngest Marine at her local detachment. Kat Gates-Skipper endorsed Donald J. Trump for President in November 2015.
Florida’s 29 Electors
The 29 electors are all Republicans, including Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Senate President Joe Negron and members of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF).
Thousands of Letters Mailed to Electors
Gates-Skipper is among the 538 Electoral College members from around the United States who received thousands of letters asking them to vote for someone besides Donald Trump.
Gates-Skipper told Bay News that she has received about 15,000 letters asking her to change her electoral vote. She said she would not do that.
According to Sunshine State News, Gates-Skipper said she’d received everything from letters to postcards, attorney correspondence and even Christmas cards from “people from all walks of life” who wanted her to change her mind.
“It’s one thing to bother me and to overload my mailbox but then to send me Christmas cards, it’s like bribery without sending me the money,” she told SSN. “Believe it or not, I read each of these.”
Per SSN, Gates-Skipper said most people thank her for her service as a Marine and then recite electoral college rules to convince her of why Trump shouldn’t be president. She said she didn’t understand why people were choosing to reach out angrily.
“Four and eight years ago we were upset [about the election] but we didn’t do such things,” she noted in the SSN interview. “We just took our results and kept on going.”
As she proved Monday, their pleas did not change her mind.
Florida
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Randy Fine Endorse Joe Strada for Congress
Published
2 days agoon
July 24, 2026ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Republican congressional candidate Joe Strada announced endorsements Thursday from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Randy Fine of Florida, adding support from prominent conservative leaders to his campaign for Florida’s 11th Congressional District.
Strada, founder of Strada Services, said the endorsements reflect confidence in his business experience and commitment to advancing conservative priorities in Congress.
Conservative Leaders Rally Behind Strada
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Strada’s private-sector leadership and pledged his support for the campaign.
“Joe Strada is a strong conservative Republican who will stand with President Trump to help us deliver on the America First agenda for hardworking families in Central Florida and across the country,” Scalise said. “Joe Strada has my full endorsement because, as a businessman, Joe knows firsthand what it takes to solve problems, create jobs and empower those who are willing to work for their piece of the American Dream.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan highlighted Strada’s workforce development efforts and business record.
“Joe Strada has built the American Dream for countless families in Florida and across this great nation,” Jordan said. “He’s tackled the skilled worker shortage by building his own training program and graduating students directly into the workforce. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Joe Strada in Congress because he is a problem solver who will stand up for our shared conservative values and with President Trump.”
Florida Congressman Randy Fine also endorsed Strada, citing their shared business backgrounds and longtime friendship.
“Joe Strada doesn’t just talk about the American Dream—he’s helped thousands of Floridians live it,” Fine said. “While Washington created problems, Joe built solutions by creating his own workforce training program and putting graduates directly into good-paying jobs across Central Florida. President Trump needs fighters who know how to get things done, and I want Joe standing with President Trump and me in Congress.”
Business Background
Strada is the founder of Strada Services, which the campaign describes as the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned provider of air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and security services. His campaign has emphasized his experience as a self-made businessman and employer, arguing that his private-sector leadership prepares him to address workforce and economic challenges in Congress.
Campaign Message
According to the campaign, Strada is running on a conservative platform focused on supporting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, strengthening workforce development, expanding job opportunities, and promoting pro-business policies.
The endorsements from Scalise, Jordan, and Fine are expected to bolster Strada’s campaign by highlighting support from influential Republican leaders with strong ties to the House Republican Conference and the conservative movement.
Looking Ahead
Florida’s 11th Congressional District is expected to draw significant attention during the 2026 election cycle. As the campaign progresses, endorsements from national and state Republican leaders are likely to remain an important part of candidates’ efforts to build support among primary voters.
Florida
Byron Donalds Courts Latino Voters in Kissimmee as Florida Governor Campaign Expands
Published
2 months agoon
June 8, 2026By
Willie DavidKISSIMMEE, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds continued his campaign for governor by engaging Latino voters during a stop on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour in Kissimmee, where he shared his vision for Florida’s future and discussed key issues impacting Hispanic communities.
Florida National News was on hand to capture the event as Donalds met with supporters and community leaders while emphasizing economic opportunity, education, public safety, and preserving what he described as the “Florida Dream.”
Latinos for Byron Coalition Launch
The Kissimmee event follows Donalds’ May 2026 launch of the Latinos for Byron Coalition, a statewide effort designed to strengthen support among Hispanic voters ahead of Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
The Trump-endorsed congressman announced the coalition during a rally at Hialeah Park in Miami-Dade County, drawing approximately 300 supporters. Many attendees waved American and Cuban flags as Donalds outlined his vision for Florida and highlighted the growing influence of Latino voters in state politics.
Republican Leaders Show Support
Joining Donalds at the Hialeah event were several Republican elected officials, including Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, the city’s youngest mayor and a lifelong resident. State leaders in attendance included Sen. Bryan Avila and Reps. Juan Porras, David Borrero, and Alex Rizo.
Donalds said Hispanic communities play a vital role in Florida’s economy, culture, and future, and he pledged to continue policies focused on economic growth, educational excellence, and public safety.
Building a Statewide Coalition
The Defending the Florida Dream tour is expected to continue across Florida as Donalds works to build a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the 2026 election cycle. His campaign has placed a particular emphasis on engaging Hispanic voters, who represent one of the fastest-growing and most influential voting blocs in the state.
As the gubernatorial race develops, Latino outreach efforts are expected to play a significant role in shaping the Republican primary and the general election.
Florida National News will continue to follow the Defending the Florida Dream tour and provide updates from campaign stops across the state.
North Florida News
Gov. Ron DeSantis Names Alex Peraza to Miami-Dade Judicial Nominating Commission
Published
4 months agoon
March 13, 2026By
Willie DavidTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Ron DeSantis announced Friday the appointment of Alex Peraza to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, which serves Miami-Dade County.
Peraza, of Coral Gables, is a partner at Diamond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A., a law firm based in South Florida.
The Judicial Nominating Commission is responsible for reviewing and recommending qualified candidates for judicial appointments within the circuit.
Peraza earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. His appointment term will run through July 1, 2027.
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