Republican · Florida's 5th District · 2026
John Rutherford
Rutherford began as a Jacksonville patrolman in 1974 and eventually spent 12 years as sheriff.
Biography
John Rutherford is married to his high school sweetheart and describes himself as a father and grandfather.1 He is also a member of Jacksonville's Assumption Catholic Church.1 His career before Congress was in local law enforcement, including twelve years as the city's sheriff.2
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1952, Rutherford graduated from high school in Jacksonville in 1970.2 He attended Jacksonville Junior College and earned a bachelor's degree at Florida State University in 1974.2 He also graduated from the FBI National Academy, a credential listed alongside his police career in his congressional biography.2
Rutherford served as director of corrections in the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office from 1995 to 2003, then as sheriff from 2003 to 2015.2 He won his first congressional election in 2016 and took office in January 2017.2 For nine years, he chaired the Florida Sheriffs Association's legislative committee, representing all 67 sheriffs.1 His current congressional work includes serving on the House Appropriations Committee.1
His priorities include border security, immigration enforcement and reducing living costs through lower taxes, spending restraint and fewer regulations.1 He also emphasizes military installations, infrastructure and veterans' healthcare and benefits in Northeast Florida.1 He faces Democrat Rachel Grage in the November election for Florida's 5th District.3
Record and controversies
Stock disclosure referral dismissed
The Office of Congressional Ethics referred allegations that Rutherford had not filed required stock transaction reports on time to the House Ethics Committee in February 2022.4 The committee dismissed the referral in August 2022, finding no clear evidence that the errors and omissions were knowing or willful.5 It said he had generally misunderstood the reporting requirements and made diligent efforts to correct the problems and comply.4