Mike Wilnau

Mike Wilnau was born in Winter Park, Florida. Wilnau's career experience includes working in manufacturing. He earned a degree from Lake Technical College in 2017.[1]

U.S. House Florida District 11

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m not just America First, I’m AMERICAN first. I believe our representation is missing a key element- loyalty to the people we are elected to serve opposed to the donor class. The American people are, at their core, resilient fighters deserving of accurate representation.

I’m a native Floridian, a husband, father of four and will be the first Republican member of GenZ. I owe everything I have to this Country; I grew up in poverty, reliant on church donations and the kindness of strangers. In early 2025, I purchased my first home- climbing my way out of childhood poverty to join the middle class- proof the American dream isn’t dead yet.

I achieved this with trade school, not Law school. I’ve spent a decade in the private sector, forging a career in the manufacturing industry. In the same way I’m self taught in robotics, I’m self taught on the United States Constitution.

I am committed to domestic diplomacy and finding creative solutions to the biggest issues facing our nation. I’ve drafted legislation I’m prepared to bring to the house floor on day one including unilateral election integrity, an immediate solution to restore and bulletproof Americas manufacturing base, and a constitutional amendment affirming the American people’s right to Transparent Legislation, an effective abolition of the Omnibus bill, enforcing line item voting and veto’s.

My number one priority is restoring the American Dream and leaving behind a More perfect union to the generations to come.

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?

One of the primary roles of our federal Government is to ensure domestic tranquility. If we reflect over the past decade or so, how do we think our government has performed? It’s clear the division in our country has been fueled by culture wars, inflammatory rhetoric and a bipartisan consensus that “the other side hates you”.

I believe that by offering leadership by example, accurate representation and creative solutions, we can restore hope in the hearts and minds of the American people and make the American Dream attainable again.

Our inaction will prove more damaging in this time than anything else. We, the people must regain control of the narrative and work on fixing what’s been broken.In the 2024 election cycle, restoring American manufacturing was one of the main talking points. Since my entire career thus far has been on the shop floor, I know the ins and outs of the process of building, repairing and streamlining these systems.

I have personally decommissioned, packaged, relocated and reinstalled the entire contents of a manufacturing facility in a matter of weeks. The idea that it will take years and trillions of taxpayer dollars to restore the American manufacturing base, is simply false. I have legislation drafted to incentivize American companies to relocate and begin production within 18 months of enactment, including funding for job specific trade school programs in high skill, high wage careers.Election integrity is paramount to the continuation of America as we've known it. The people have to trust the process if we want them to participate. I’m committed to finding a solution to this issue and restoring trust in the most sacred right of self governance.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My passion lies with the people of this country. I want them to have hope for the future again. Not through catchy lines or flashy rhetoric, but by example. I believe we can make life affordable again. We can make ownership attainable, and we can repair the fabric that has been torn for political purposes over the last few decades.

Federal power is too great and too centralized. I want to strengthen the states, turning over many of the federal programs to individual states.

I believe we can have a surplus again. We can’t simply grow ourselves out of a nearly 40 trillion dollar debt. We have to grow and we have to also cut spending for the sake of the way of life for future generations.

Our government’s too big and spends too much.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to our founders, specifically George Washington. I believe his leadership through action has paved the way to what we should expect from our leaders.

A current figure I look up to is Tim Tebow. Growing up in Central Florida during his time in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was an incredible atmosphere to grow up in! His commitment to defending the most vulnerable people and combatting human trafficking is something I fully support.

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

The definition of integrity is most basically understood as following through with the promises you make. All too often, our elected officials say and do two different things. So much so that we expect most of these promises to be forgotten.

The most important characteristic of a representative in a constitutional republic, is integrity.

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

It’s the duty of a representative to first and foremost, represent the people who have entrusted them with their vote. The oath of office is to the Constitution of the United States. I believe that every vote in the house should be guided by our founding documents and constitutionally minded.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I simply want to leave behind a more perfect union. I believe the American Dream, at its most basically defined level is leaving this place behind better than how you found it.

When my future grandkids talk about me after I’ve left this earth, I want them to be able to say “Grandpa fought for our liberty”.

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

I remember the day the towers fell on 9/11. I was mostly oblivious to the gravity of the situation at 3-1/2 years old, but I remember the reactions of the people around me. The heartbreak, my mother’s tears, the patriotism, and my family members enlisting in the armed forces to defend our homeland.

The majority of my life has been in a post-patriot act America.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was a summer job as a cart boy at Mission Inn golf course in Howey-in-the Hills.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I became a father at 19. I had to quickly grow up and overcome the challenges of my own childhood. I achieved upward mobility, built a career and joined the middle class against all odds. Only in America would this be possible.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The greatest challenge facing our nations people according to polling is affordability. People can’t afford to live comfortably, they can’t afford to buy a home, and my generation will not be able to retire. In one of the richest nation’s on earth, our people deserve the greatest opportunities.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I have signed onto supporting term limits; public service should be about serving the people and making a difference, not a cushy career.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

We should never compromise our values, beliefs or ideals. We should always fight to protect and defend these core principles.

That being said, a willingness to listen to the other side is paramount. In my experience, we typically agree on the diagnosis, but may disagree on the prescription. If we can begin to agree on what the root cause problems are, we can begin to find solutions.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

This might sound silly, but I’m proud that my kids have health insurance. We didn’t go to doctors as a kid because we couldn’t afford it. I am immensely proud that my kids don’t have to face the same struggles that I did.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The advent of Artificial intelligence is the final frontier. It will radically and rapidly change how we perceive life and our place in the universe. We have to have strong and effective regulation on the uses of A.I., particularly in industry.

U.S. House Florida District 7

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