Greek-American Rep. Mike Haridopolos won a second term in Congress on Tuesday, Nov. 3, defeating Democrat Jennifer Jenkins in Florida’s 8th Congressional District after a campaign focused on household costs and the future of the Space Coast.
Florida’s unofficial election returns showed the Republican receiving 166,402 votes, or 53.42%, compared with Jenkins’ 145,120 votes, or 46.58%. The totals remain subject to certification.
Haridopolos, a former Florida Senate president, first won election to Congress in 2024 following the retirement of Republican Rep. Bill Posey. He took office in January 2025 and secured a space policy leadership role during his first term.
Haridopolos wins in a redrawn Florida district
The election took place under revised boundaries that removed Indian River County from the district and extended it farther into Orange County. The seat remains anchored in Brevard County, home to Kennedy Space Center and much of Florida’s aerospace industry.
The changes reduced the district’s Republican advantage. Jenkins, a former Brevard County School Board member and speech-language pathologist, switched to the 8th District race after initially seeking to challenge Republican Rep. Randy Fine in the neighboring 6th District.
Jenkins emphasized affordability, including property insurance, health coverage and public education. Haridopolos campaigned on support for the space industry, lower taxes, tighter border enforcement and limits on federal spending. His campaign also highlighted housing affordability and restoration of the Indian River Lagoon.
Space policy at the center of his congressional work
Haridopolos chairs the House Science, Space and Technology Committee’s Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee in the current Congress. The position places him at the center of congressional oversight of civilian space policy, a major issue for a district whose economy is closely tied to NASA and commercial launches.
Kennedy Space Center was the launch site for NASA’s Artemis II mission in April, underscoring the Space Coast’s role in the American space program.
In May, Haridopolos and Democratic Rep. George Whitesides of California introduced the One Giant LEAP Act. The bill proposed creating a single online portal within the Transportation Department for commercial space launch licensing applications and related approvals, allowing companies to track their progress. Haridopolos also serves on the House Financial Services Committee, where he is the majority whip. His subcommittee assignments cover capital markets, digital assets and financial technology, and oversight and investigations.
From teaching to the Florida Senate and Washington
Haridopolos, 56, was born in Huntington, New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in 1992 and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas in 1993. Before entering Congress, he taught U.S. history and political science at Brevard Community College, now Eastern Florida State College, and later taught at the University of Florida.
His state legislative career began in the Florida House in 2000. He moved to the state Senate in 2003 and served as its president from 2010 to 2012. After leaving the Legislature, he established a business and political consulting company before returning to elected office through his congressional campaign.
Greek-American representation and ties to Greece
Haridopolos was among the Greek-American candidates running in this year’s midterm elections. His first term included joining bipartisan efforts concerning Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
In March, he was an original co-sponsor of a House resolution recognizing the 205th anniversary of the War of Greek Independence, alongside lawmakers including Gus Bilirakis, Chris Pappas, Nicole Malliotakis and Dina Titus.
In June, Haridopolos joined Bilirakis, Malliotakis and Jimmy Patronis in raising objections to a proposed U.S. military sale to Turkey. The lawmakers cited concerns about Ankara’s regional policies and opposed its return to the F-35 program without compliance with U.S. sanctions requirements.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
