Daniel McDow

Daniel McDow was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a high school diploma from Lakeview High School and a graduate degree from Lincoln International Business School in 2023. His career experience includes working as a businessman and in supply chain oversight and contract negotiation.[1]

McDow has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Florida Democratic Party

Brevard Democratic Party

Indian River Democratic Party

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People South and Central Brevard

The Sierra Club

League of Women Voters

Space Coast Progressive Alliance

Equality Florida

Push Back Coalition

Brevard Human Rights Coalition

LGBTQ+ Caucus

Ruth's List

Save our Indian River Lagoon

Children's Home Society

Zonta

Florida Puerto Rican Chamber

Awake Brevard

Democratic Women's Club of Indian River

Democratic Environmental Caucus

West Melbourne City Council

American Civil Liberties Union

Tiny Miracles Foundation

Autism on the Seas

Space Coast Pride

Beachside Democratic Party

North Brevard Democratic Party

Rally to Tally with Education

LGBTQ+ Democratic caucus

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Professional career as an Executive in Contract Negotiation for healthcare and publishing corporations across the U.S. Small business and passionate about improving the community. I have a Masters Degree from the UK International School of Business in Management and Sustainability. Former City Councilman, Chair of Parks & Recreation and Party Chair for the County. I believe we have a moral obligation to provide support systems wherever we have the power to act. A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. I am running to raise the quality of life for FL District 33.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Accountability and transparency of government. Fiscal responsibility as proven in my track record as councilman maintaining or lowering taxes consistently for four years.Freedom & Equality - Ban censorship, protect the constitution and enforce the rule of law.Cost of living is too high! Fight unfair utility and insurance hikes. Cut the rules that drive up prices.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As my Masters in Sustainability supports, I believe in supporting the balance of all three - Triple Bottom Line Environment, Economic and Social Justice.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Endorsements which I applied for but are pending after the primary election are: Unions, Environmental Organizations and Community Based groups.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Dan McDow, the Pro Choice Candidate for Congress, Florida, District 8.

I have been an activist for women's rights, the environment and racial equality all my life. I am proud to have been endorsed by the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida and to be the candidate of choice for both the Brevard Federation of Teachers and the IBEW.

My professional career has spanned 30 years, both as a small businessman and as an executive for corporations. I understand budgets and fiscal accountability. I also know that you must invest in your PEOPLE if you are to succeed. I hold a Master's Degree in Sustainability.

I have worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups in Florida for the past 14 years. I have been active in the Brevard Democratic Party as their former Treasurer and Fundraising Chair. I served as the President of the LGBTA Caucus, am an original founder of Awake Brevard, am a Board Member of Space Coast Progressive Alliance and have served as a member of: The Black Caucus, the Environmental Dem Caucus, the Human Rights Coalition, the Pushback Coalition, Space Coast Pride, The League of Women Voters, NAACP and the Sierra Club.

I coordinated a regional Educational Program on Human Trafficking and was awarded the Yellow Roses Distinction from the ZONTA organization and am proud to say that this past year I won the Bill Nelson Leadership Award.

I am currently the only Democratic member of the West Melbourne City Council.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am pro choice. And my number one priority is to codify Roe vs. Wade at a national level to ensure the right to abortion in all states for all women. I fully support Amendment 4 here in Florida, but we must also assure that the right is guaranteed on a national level.

There is no human right more precious than that of bodily autonomy. If a woman or girl cannot control what happens with her body, she becomes powerless over her economic, personal and professional future. In addition, abortion is health care. There is no debate here. When physicians are debating their legal liability when considering the most appropriate treatment for a woman in the emergency room -- we have sacrificed health and wellbeing to political game playing.I will work to make living in Florida AFFORDABLE again. Right now Floridians at both ends of the life spectrum are finding it impossible to become or stay housed. Seniors are being priced out of their lifelong homes because of the cost of insurance & younger Floridians are finding it impossible to rent or buy because of high costs.

If elected, I would first work to pass the INSURE act (HR 6944) so property insurance would be accessible to all Floridians. In addition, I would work in a federal/state/local & business partnership to increase the availability of affordable housing. Local governments & developers have been reaping the benefits of high housing costs & increased property taxes. Now it's time they invest that gain.Our kids feel unsafe in their schools. This travesty can be addressed in part by closing the more gaping background check loopholes, banning bump stocks, denying guns to "red flagged" individuals with restraining orders against them, freezing production of domestic assault weapons and ensuring those who have weapons store them responsibly. Most of this is common sense. Our kids deserve to feel safe in their schools and arming teachers is NOT an answer.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I feel passionate about the environment.

I recognize that climate change is real and caused by humanity’s impact on the planet. I have spent the past 15 years as an activist in my community, dedicated to cleaning up our lagoon, preserving our natural resources and ending reliance on fossil fuels.

As a Congressperson, I will dedicate myself to supporting legislation aimed at cleaning up our water and air. Specifically, fighting for full funding of all the environmental aspects of the Biden Inflation Reduction Act.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, Accountability, Hard work.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Someone elected to Congress must be dedicated to truly representing the people they serve and have respect for them and their values.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to reverse the trend of climate change...to get enough programs together and enough humanity on board with making changes that my grandchildren can be assured of a safe place to live on planet earth.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Chicago riots of 1968 when I was 9 years old. Truly a pivotal moment in history. The overwhelming sadness, disbelief and anger over the assassination of Martin Luther King -- and the frustration and violence that welled up over the city. I'll never forget it. We can't abuse fellow human beings, deny them of rights and dignity, and expect them to "fall in line."

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think it's useful for a freshman Congressperson to have had the experience of negotiating with other elected officials -- as I have had in my current position as city councilman of West Melbourne.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think 3, 2-year terms are more than enough for Representatives. Ten years is long enough.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Brevard Federation of Teachers, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, The LGBTA Caucus, and The Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida

What committees interest you?

The House Natural Resources Committee and Science Space and Technology.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe in total transparency and accountability.