Republican · Florida's 18th District · 2026
Scott Franklin
Franklin spent 26 years as a Navy aviator, flying from aircraft carriers before building a career in insurance in Lakeland.
Biography
Scott Franklin and his wife, Amy, have three adult children and are active at First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, where he serves as an elder.1 His working life has combined military aviation, insurance and local government, including two decades running an insurance business in Lakeland.1
Franklin graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 and earned an MBA at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.2 His twenty six years in the Navy included fourteen on active duty and twelve in the Reserve.2 A naval aviator, he operated from aircraft carriers and took part in combat operations in the Persian Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo.2
Before Congress, he served as a Lakeland city commissioner and mayor pro tem.2 His other civic work has included the Lakeland Economic Development Council, Rotary and organizations supporting aviation, education and community services.2 In his third congressional term, he serves on Appropriations and chairs the Environment Subcommittee of the Science, Space and Technology Committee.2
Franklin's platform emphasizes agriculture, national security, border enforcement and closer control of federal spending.1 He supports reducing regulations on farmers and businesses, strengthening military readiness and improving government accountability.1 He is the Republican incumbent facing Democrat Curtis Gibson and independent Deva Simmons in Florida's 18th District.3
Record and controversies
Late stock transaction disclosures
Franklin's transaction report signed July 3, 2025 lists stock trades from January and August 2024, with comments saying his broker had failed to notify him and he discovered the transactions while reconciling his annual financial disclosure.4 Reporting on the late disclosures, Franklin said he had notified House Ethics staff, sought guidance and told his broker that further reporting failures could end their relationship; the report did not establish an insider trading finding or a publicly confirmed penalty.5