Tim Wilkins

Tim Wilkins served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1987 to 1990.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

At my core, I am an American shaped by Generation X self-reliance. Summers on the Ft. Ord Army base and family stories of service across every branch ignited my desire to serve. At 17, I convinced my parents to sign for me to become the first in my family to join the Marines — a decision that forged my discipline, fearlessness, and character like nothing else could.

After my enlistment, I chased another childhood dream: making people laugh through the hardest times. That path took me from Radio City Music Hall to performing for our troops in Afghanistan chow halls, following in Bob Hope’s footsteps. Decades in entertainment and TV/radio sharpened my communication skills — essential for effectively representing constituents in Congress.

With my wife, I built and ran businesses employing over 60 people, learning firsthand the weight of signing the front of a paycheck and the responsibility of supporting families. During COVID, we pivoted: I returned to coaching and mentoring “bonus kids” (several now thriving in nursing, law enforcement, and Summa Cum Laude pre-med at FSU), produced faith-based films addressing cultural challenges, and answered the call to public service.

I am a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and man of deep faith — ready to bring this lifetime of real-world experience, results, and outsider perspective to fight for Florida’s 11th District.

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?

Protect Seniors, Lower Healthcare Costs, and Fix Obamacare — Repeal, replace, or fundamentally amend the ACA that was sold on lies and delivered higher premiums, massive deductibles, and stress — especially painful for fixed-income retirees in The Villages and across our district. Deliver real relief while safeguarding Social Security and Medicare.Slash Waste, Cut Spending, and Lower Costs for Every Family — Use my experience as a business owner to aggressively target fraud, abuse, reckless foreign spending, and bureaucracy. Move beyond talk of balanced budgets to actual reductions that ease inflation, housing pressures, and cost-of-living burdens on working families and seniors in Central Florida.Peace Through Strength, Strong Military, and Unwavering Veteran Support — Equip our troops with the best technology while dramatically improving quality of life, pay, and benefits for the all-volunteer force. Fix VA wait times, expand care, mental health services, and smooth transitions — honoring the veterans and military families who are the backbone of our district and our nation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Veterans and Military Families: As a Marine with relatives who served in every branch, nothing is more personal than ensuring our service members and veterans receive the care, benefits, and respect they earned.

Opportunity Through Trades and Skills Training: Reforming programs to deliver good-paying jobs and purpose for younger families navigating growth in Lake, Orange, and Polk counties — restoring the American Dream through honest work.

Real Healthcare Reform and Food Security (MAHA): Shifting from a “sick care” system to prevention and wellness for healthier generations. Strongly supporting Florida’s ranchers, farmers, and multi-generational ag families against overregulation and development pressures so we maintain domestic food produ

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

Gary Sinise. He transformed a successful acting career into a lifetime of selfless service for veterans and their families. His unwavering advocacy and generosity represent the best of America. I would be honored to build even a fraction of that legacy in Congress — especially for the many veterans and retirees in Florida’s 11th District.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The U.S. Constitution. As one t-shirt wisely says: “We don’t need to rewrite the Constitution, we need to reread it.” It is a timeless guide for limited government, individual liberty, and self-governance — just like the Bible provides timeless moral truth. I also draw inspiration from Ronald Reagan’s vision of America as a “Shining City on a Hill.”

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

An elected official must remember they work for the people of their district — not Washington. That means constant communication through town halls (especially in The Villages and growing suburbs), listening tours, and being present in good times and bad. They must be resolute in pursuing district needs, skilled at building alliances to pass legislation, and grounded in faith, integrity, and the Constitution. Communication, determination, and results over rhetoric.

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

Stay connected to the real challenges facing constituents in The Villages, Clermont, and across the district — not insulated in D.C. Listen actively, reflect the values and needs of the people, faithfully follow the Constitution, and deliver tangible wins on costs, security, healthcare, and opportunity. Be the representative the district can proudly call their voice in Congress.

What legacy would you like to leave?

When my time in office ends, I want the people of Florida’s 11th to remember me as the Representative who showed up, worked tirelessly, cut through the waste and noise in Washington, and made their lives better — a strong leader and steady shoulder in tough times for our seniors, families, veterans, farmers, and communities.

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

The Iranian Hostage Crisis. I was 11 years old and remember the nightly news images of the hostages, feeling their fear and a deep desire to do something about it. It stirred an early sense of patriotism that has never left me.

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

From ages 13–15, I worked in my family’s Butcher Shop and Deli. In high school, I was a grocery bagger during the school year and a construction assistant in the summers. Those early jobs — especially sweating in the sun on construction sites — taught me the irreplaceable value of hard work.

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

Growing up, self-doubt was a constant battle. After the Marines, it became extremely high expectations of myself. Falling short can be crushing, but I’ve learned that aiming impossibly high and “failing up” builds unmatched character and achievement. I pass this mantra on to every kid I coach: “If you’re going to fail, fail up.”

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

Restoring confidence in the American Dream and pride in our country. Decades of ideological indoctrination in schools and economic struggles have pushed too many young people toward socialism. In our growing Central Florida district, we must counter this by delivering real opportunity, strong education focused on trades and skills, fiscal sanity, and secure borders — proving once again that America remains Reagan’s “Shining City on a Hill” for our own people.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

The Founders never intended career politicians. Citizens were supposed to serve a term or two from their farm, shop, or business, then return home and live under the laws they passed. Term limits — whether imposed or self-enforced — are long overdue to restore accountability. I will serve with that mindset: focused, effective, and temporary.

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

Principled compromise that advances core conservative priorities and benefits the district — yes. Surrendering on fundamental issues like border security, fiscal responsibility, or repealing Obamacare failures — no. Recent history shows one side often refuses good-faith negotiation for political gain. I will fiercely advocate for the 11th District’s needs while working with allies to pass meaningful legislation.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Returning to coaching and mentoring young people who lacked strong male role models. Over the past six years, my “bonus kids” have gone on to nursing, law enforcement, and one graduating Summa Cum Laude pre-med from FSU. Guiding them through tough times and watching them build successful, purpose-driven lives has been one of the greatest blessings of my life — proof that invested leadership creates lasting impact.

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

The government must actively oversee AI’s expansion to maintain our technological edge over adversaries like China while implementing smart safeguards against risks. A focused, expert task force should monitor safe, ethical development that promotes American innovation, security, and economic strength — not stifle it with heavy-handed regulation.