Florida
Navy Veteran and Former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton Launches Campaign Against US Rep. Corey Mills
SANFORD, Fla. (FNN) – Bale Dalton, a Navy veteran, former NASA Chief of Staff and longtime public servant, announced Monday that he is running for Congress in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Dalton, a retired Naval Aviator with more than two decades of military service, will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla.
In his announcement, Dalton contrasted his background with what his campaign characterized as “self-serving and unethical behavior” by Mills. Dalton’s campaign referenced past allegations and ongoing inquiries involving the congressman, emphasizing that voters “deserve mission-first leadership.”
“I’m running for Congress because Floridians deserve leaders who know what real service looks like,” Dalton said in a statement. “It’s courage, sacrifice, and putting the American people first. I will put people ahead of politics to lower costs and deliver results.”
Dalton, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, served 23 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve — including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and the Pacific. He flew medical evacuation missions in Kuwait, provided Hurricane Katrina relief, supported special operations, and directed combat air support in Afghanistan.
After his active-duty service, Dalton worked at the State Department and served as a military legislative assistant to former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. He later returned to active duty as commanding officer of a Navy special operations support squadron before transitioning to the private sector and eventually becoming NASA’s Chief of Staff, where he helped manage an agency workforce of roughly 16,500 employees.
Dalton’s campaign said he is running to “restore integrity and service-driven leadership” to Washington. “Families in Central Florida want lower costs, safer communities, opportunities to thrive, and a representative who works for them — not himself,” Dalton said.
Florida’s 7th Congressional District includes all of Seminole County and southern Volusia County.
Bale Dalton’s Background in Service and Federal Leadership
Dalton brings more than two decades of military service, experience in federal agencies, and senior leadership roles — including serving as NASA Chief of Staff.
Dalton’s Contrast With Rep. Cory Mills (According to His Campaign)
Dalton’s announcement frames the race as a contest between “mission-first service” and what his campaign portrays as ethics concerns surrounding the incumbent.
Issues Dalton Says Will Define His Campaign
Dalton says he will focus on lowering costs for families, strengthening community safety, expanding opportunities, and returning accountability to Florida’s 7th District.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Senator LaVon Bracy Davis and Representative Mitch Rosenwald have filed legislation aimed at expanding access to the My Safe Florida Home Program by allowing homeowners to reapply when applications were previously deemed abandoned or withdrawn due to errors or omissions.
The measure, SB 1148/HB 1045, would modify program rules to permit subsequent applications when the original filing was rejected because of compliance-related mistakes, provided there is good cause and the applicant corrects the issue in a timely manner.
Expanding Access to Homeowner Assistance
The My Safe Florida Home Program is a state initiative that provides eligible Florida homeowners with inspections and grant funding to help strengthen their homes against storms while reducing insurance costs. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Current rules allow for reapplication if an application was denied or withdrawn due to errors or omissions. However, the proposed legislation would also allow reapplication when an application was deemed abandoned or withdrawn because of similar compliance-related issues.
Addressing Bureaucratic Barriers
“At a time when Florida’s families are struggling with rising insurance costs, we cannot allow bureaucratic technicalities to block access to affordability tools,” said Bracy Davis, a Democrat from Ocoee.
The bill responds to concerns from homeowners who were unable to submit a new application after their original submission was closed due to misunderstandings or reasonable mistakes regarding program requirements.
Focus on Seniors and Low-Income Homeowners
Rosenwald, a Democrat from Oakland Park, said the legislation is intended to help vulnerable homeowners who rely on the program for financial relief.
“This program can be a lifeline for seniors and low-income homeowners,” Rosenwald said. “In response to Floridians reporting that they were blocked from submitting a new application because of a misunderstanding or reasonable mistake concerning program compliance, I filed this glitch bill.”
If approved, the legislation would ensure more homeowners have access to financial assistance aimed at strengthening homes and improving insurance affordability across Florida.
