Royal Webster

Royal Webster served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1995. His career experience includes working as a teacher,[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running for Congress because service has defined my entire life. I served my country in the United States Army, then serving my community as a public school teacher and coach. Throughout my life, I have worked to educate, mentor, and empower others, always believing that leadership begins with putting people first. Today, I am asking for the opportunity to serve one more time by fighting for affordable living, stronger public education, better care for our veterans, and an economy that works for working families. My oath to defend the Constitution never expired, and I am ready to continue that mission in the United States Congress.

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?

Affordability is the number one issue I hear from families across Florida's 11th District. The cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, insurance, and everyday necessities continues to rise while wages struggle to keep up. I believe we must increase affordable housing, lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, strengthen public education and workforce training, and support fair wages. I also developed the RISE Act, a hybrid Universal Basic Income proposal that provides an economic floor while encouraging work through a sliding-scale benefit that rewards employment instead of penalizing it. My goal is simple: restore the American Dream by making life more affordable for working families.Artificial intelligence will play an important role in our future, but we must not allow its rapid expansion to outpace responsible oversight. I have publicly called for a one-year national moratorium on new AI hyperscale data centers so Congress, scientists, engineers, environmental experts, and industry leaders can develop comprehensive standards for water use, energy consumption, environmental impacts, public safety, cybersecurity, and grid reliability. We cannot afford to make irreversible mistakes simply because we moved too quickly. Innovation and environmental stewardship are not opposing goals—they must advance together through thoughtful, science-based policy.As a veteran, I know our responsibility to those who served does not end when they take off the uniform. The oath we take and the sacrifices we make last a lifetime, and our nation's commitment to its veterans should as well. Cutting the Department of Veterans Affairs budget or reducing the dedicated workforce that delivers healthcare, mental health services, disability claims, and other essential benefits is not how we honor that commitment. Our veterans earned these benefits through their service and sacrifice. We must fully fund the VA, improve access to timely, high-quality care, reduce claims backlogs, expand mental health resources, and ensure every veteran is treated with the dignity and respect they have earned.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about making life more affordable for working families, strengthening public education, expanding opportunities for veterans, protecting our environment, and defending our Constitution. As a retired Army veteran, public school teacher, and coach, my life has been defined by service. I developed the Literacy 2040 initiative to improve reading proficiency nationwide and the RISE Act to help working families achieve greater financial stability. I believe government should create opportunity, protect individual rights, and put people before politics and special interests.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Democratic progressive caucus of Florida

Florida For Bernie

Orange County democratic environmental caucus,