Bernard Taylor wants to flip CD 21, but he’ll first face James Martin in the Democratic Party

In the Democratic Primary for Florida’s 21st Congressional District, Bernard Taylor is running against James Martin for the chance to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast in November.

Mast is seeking a third term, having won re-election in 2024 with 61.8% of the vote. The district was not significantly altered by the Legislature’s recent redistricting.

Taylor leads Martin in fundraising, reporting $591,000 in contributions to his opponent’s $419,000, though Mast’s $4.1 million raised dwarfs them both.

No-party candidate Alexander Cooke and write-in David Fabrikant have also qualified.

Florida Politics asked both Democratic candidates to answer a few questions. We are publishing their responses unedited so voters can hear directly from candidates. Here’s what Taylor told us:

— Profession: Firefighter/EMT

— Education: Technical school.

— Years in the district: 6 Years.

— Community involvement: NAACP member, mentor (Geared Up For Fire), IAFF Local 2928, and community organizer.

— Why are you running? What are your top priorities? I’m running because I believe public service should be about solving problems, not scoring political points. As a firefighter and EMT, I’ve spent my career responding when people are having the worst day of their lives. That experience has taught me that leadership means showing up, listening, and taking action.

My top priorities are lowering the cost of living, guaranteeing affordable healthcare, protecting Social Security and Medicare, investing in public education, creating good-paying jobs, protecting Florida’s environment, and restoring trust in government.

— What are the biggest issues facing residents of this district? The biggest issues I hear about every day are affordability, healthcare, housing, insurance costs, and protecting our environment. Families are struggling with rising grocery prices, skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance premiums, and housing costs that have outpaced wages. Seniors are worried about protecting Medicare and Social Security. Young families are wondering whether they’ll ever be able to buy a home.

Living on Florida’s Treasure Coast also means protecting our waterways. Harmful algal blooms threaten our economy, tourism, fishing industry, and public health. We have to treat clean water as both an environmental issue and an economic issue.

— What’s one bill you would like to introduce in Congress? I would introduce the Treasure Coast Clean Water Act. The legislation would strengthen water quality standards, reduce nutrient pollution that fuels harmful algal blooms, invest in modern water infrastructure, and improve oversight of pollution entering our waterways. Protecting our environment isn’t just about conservation. It’s about protecting jobs, tourism, property values, public health, and ensuring future generations inherit a Florida they can be proud of.

— Democrats blame Donald Trump for inflation, Republicans blame the lingering effects of the Joe Biden administration, while Americans just want their prices to go down. What can Congress do to ease the cost of living for working families? Working families don’t care about political finger-pointing, they want results. Congress should lower prescription drug costs, increase affordable housing construction, strengthen competition so large corporations can’t price-gouge consumers, invest in domestic manufacturing and supply chains, expand childcare affordability, and provide targeted tax relief for middle-class families.

We also need to address Florida’s insurance crisis. Families shouldn’t have to choose between paying their insurance premiums and paying their mortgage. Economic policy should be judged by one question: Does it make life more affordable for working people?

— Do you believe AI will ultimately create more jobs than it eliminates, or should government slow its adoption to protect existing workers? What AI regulations or guardrails, if any, do you support? Artificial intelligence will create new opportunities, but it will also disrupt many existing jobs. Our goal shouldn’t be stopping innovation, it should be making sure workers benefit from it. I support requiring transparency when AI is making important decisions affecting employment, healthcare, banking, or housing. Americans deserve to know when AI is involved and have the ability to appeal important decisions to a human being.

We also need strong protections for privacy, safeguards against election misinformation generated by AI, and investments in workforce training so workers can transition into emerging industries instead of being left behind. Technology should serve people, not replace them without a plan.

— Americans frequently complain about the cost and complexity of our healthcare system. What realistic solutions do you propose? Healthcare should be affordable and accessible. I support moving toward universal healthcare that guarantees coverage for every American while lowering overall costs. In the meantime, Congress should continue lowering prescription drug prices, expand preventive care, strengthen rural and community health clinics, reduce administrative waste, and protect Medicare and Medicaid. No family should have to choose between paying rent and getting medical care.

— How should we counter China’s growing influence and power, and what can we do to ensure America retains its technological, military and economic advantages? America’s strength begins at home. We should invest in American manufacturing, research, education, semiconductor production, infrastructure, and cybersecurity while strengthening partnerships with our allies. We must protect intellectual property, reduce dangerous supply-chain dependencies, and ensure our military remains the strongest and most technologically advanced in the world. Competing with China requires long-term investments in American workers and innovation — not just rhetoric.

— With regard to ending the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, what should America’s goals and approach be? America should pursue diplomacy whenever possible while protecting our national security and our allies. Regarding Ukraine, I support helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty while maintaining strong oversight and accountability for U.S. assistance. Any long-term resolution should be based on international law and Ukraine’s right to determine its own future.

Regarding Iran, America should work with allies to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, deter attacks against U.S. personnel and partners, and pursue diplomatic solutions whenever possible. Military action should always be a last resort and undertaken only when necessary to protect American interests.

— Would you vote to continue funding Israel’s defense? Are there any conditions you want to impose on that funding? I would not vote to continue funding Israel’s defense. The American people have made it clear they would like their tax dollars going towards solutions for the problems we are having here in our country and not causing harm to innocent civilians abroad. We should continue supporting humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by conflict and encourage efforts that move both Israelis and Palestinians toward lasting peace and security. Protecting innocent civilian lives and coming up with diplomatic solutions should always be the goal.

— The House recently voted to adopt year-round daylight saving time. How would you have voted? I would support ending the twice-yearly clock changes because they’re inconvenient for families, businesses, and schools. If Congress chooses a permanent time standard, I believe the decision should prioritize public health, safety, and scientific research while allowing states to have meaningful input on implementation.

— Has the Democratic Party moved too far left in recent years, or is this the direction Democratic voters want? My campaign isn’t about ideological labels, it’s about delivering results. People aren’t asking whether Washington is too far left or too far right. They’re asking why groceries cost so much, why insurance keeps rising, why healthcare is unaffordable, and why housing is out of reach. I believe the Democratic Party is strongest when it focuses on practical solutions that improve people’s lives, protect fundamental rights, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen democracy.

— Why are you the best nominee to win this seat in November? I’m not asking voters to trust campaign slogans, I’m asking them to look at my record. As a firefighter and EMT, I’ve dedicated my career to serving others. During this campaign, I’ve continued serving by feeding families, providing free community health screenings, supporting local schools through back-to-school events, and attending more than 100 community events across the district.

I understand the challenges working families face because I’ve lived them and served alongside them.

I will bring the same values to Congress that I’ve brought to emergency service: integrity, accountability, compassion, and the willingness to put people ahead of politics. My campaign is focused on earning every vote through action, not just words.