Republican U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, who represents the state’s 2nd Congressional District that takes in North Florida including Panama City and Tallahassee, says he will not seek a sixth term.
Dunn announced his decision, made after “much prayerful consideration and discussion with my family” in a Jan. 13 statement. He did not give specific reasons other than spending more time with family.
“This will conclude my service after five meaningful terms,” he said. “As a physician, an Army surgeon, and veteran from a multi-generational military family, I brought my commitment to life, liberty, and conservative values to Washington.”
He most recently won election in a 2024 race against Democrat Yen Bailey, a Tallahassee attorney.
“It has been my greatest honor to fight for lower taxes, our military and veterans, the unborn, healthcare innovation, and policies that empower Americans over bureaucracy and addressing threats from Communist China, Russia and others. The time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren.”
In October, Dunn received President Donald Trump’s endorsement for a sixth term, saying Dunn has his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and said the 72-year-old urological surgeon is a “tremendous Representative for the Great People of the 2nd Congressional District.”
Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power of Tallahassee told reporters at the Capitol he would “strongly consider” running for the seat. Power joked he has a track record of helping others get elected but has only run previously for a soil and water conservation commission seat.
The “district deserves someone who is going to fight alongside President Trump … That’s what CD 2 wants and that’s what our country needs right now,” Power said Jan. 13.
Dunn in office since 2017
Dunn has represented the 16-county district since Jan. 3, 2017, when he was officially sworn in. Roughly half of its voters live in the Tallahassee and Panama City areas, with one city filled with predominately Democratic voters and the other with Republicans.
And while the Tallahassee metro area is a Democratic stronghold, only once giving Dunn more than 46% of the vote, in the district’s other 13 counties Dunn has scored more than 71% of the vote in five straight elections. Various political rating services label it either “Safe Republican” or “Solid Republican.”
During his eight years in office, Dunn has established a staunchly conservative record. The Heritage Foundation scores Dunn at 78% on a scorecard of congressional votes on conservative issues, for example.
Dunn’s committee assignments this term include Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Investigations, and Health, which he is vice chair. Three Democrats have filed to oppose Dunn in next year’s congressional race: Bailey, data analyst Nic Zateslo and Amanda Green, a former international aid administrator. All are from Tallahassee.
His GOP colleague, Jimmy Patronis, who represents the neighboring 1st Congressional District in the western Panhandle, called Dunn “a patriot, and it’s been an honor to work alongside him.”