Kat Cammack
| Kat Cammack | |
| Born | Kathryn Christine Cammack 16 2, 1988 |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Politician, political advisor |
| Known for | U.S. Representative for Florida's 3rd congressional district |
| Education | Metropolitan State University of Denver (BA) Naval War College (MA) |
| Website | [katforcongress.com Official site] |
Kathryn Christine Cammack (born February 16, 1988) is an American politician and political advisor serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 3rd congressional district since January 3, 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Cammack represents a twelve-county area encompassing much of North Central Florida. Before her election to Congress, Cammack served as deputy chief of staff to her predecessor, Representative Ted Yoho, who retired ahead of the 2020 election cycle. Cammack won a competitive Republican primary in August 2020 and went on to win the general election that November, becoming one of the youngest Republican women elected to the 117th United States Congress. Born in Denver, Colorado, Cammack has spoken publicly about her family's experience with homelessness during her youth, a biographical detail that featured prominently in her first congressional campaign. In Congress, she has focused on issues including border security, agricultural policy, election integrity, and women's sports. She has also been involved in advocacy for disaster relief on behalf of Florida's agricultural communities.[1][2]
Early Life
Kathryn Christine Cammack was born on February 16, 1988, in Denver, Colorado.[2] During her childhood, Cammack's family experienced significant financial hardship, including a period of homelessness. This experience became a central element of her personal narrative and political identity, particularly during her first run for Congress in 2020. In a digital campaign advertisement released during the primary race, Cammack shared details of her family's story, describing the difficulties they faced and how these experiences shaped her political outlook and personal values.[3]
Cammack eventually relocated to Florida, where she became involved in politics and public service. Her early life experiences, particularly the period of homelessness, informed her political positions on issues such as economic opportunity and government spending. Throughout her campaigns and tenure in office, she has cited her upbringing as motivation for her work in Congress.[3][1]
Education
Cammack attended Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later pursued graduate education at the Naval War College, where she obtained a Master of Arts degree.[2] Her education at the Naval War College provided her with a background in national security and defense studies, subjects that would inform aspects of her later congressional work.
Career
Staff Work for Ted Yoho
Before running for public office, Cammack served as deputy chief of staff to U.S. Representative Ted Yoho, who represented Florida's 3rd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. In this role, Cammack gained direct experience in congressional operations, constituent services, and legislative policy.[4] Her tenure with Yoho's office gave her familiarity with the district's political landscape and the concerns of its constituents, which included significant agricultural communities, university populations, and military-connected residents.
Her departure from Yoho's office was not without controversy. During the 2020 primary campaign, Tyler Yoho, the son of Representative Ted Yoho, publicly claimed that Cammack had been fired from her position as chief of staff, a characterization that Cammack and her campaign disputed.[5] Despite this dispute, Cammack maintained her candidacy and went on to win the primary election.
2020 Congressional Campaign
Announcement and Primary
In December 2019, Cammack announced her candidacy for Florida's 3rd congressional district following Ted Yoho's decision not to seek re-election. Yoho had previously pledged to serve only four terms in Congress and honored that commitment by retiring ahead of the 2020 election cycle.[4] The open seat attracted a crowded field of Republican candidates in the heavily Republican district.
During the primary campaign, Cammack positioned herself as a conservative candidate with direct congressional experience. She released a digital advertisement in which she shared her personal story, including her family's experience with homelessness, to connect with voters on a personal level.[3] She also signed a term limits pledge, following in the tradition of her predecessor, signaling to voters her commitment to limited government and congressional reform.[6]
On policy matters, Cammack took conservative positions on several key issues. She voiced support for the construction of a border wall along the U.S.–Mexico border, releasing a video in which she outlined her stance on border security.[7] She also stated that she would "always choose life" if elected, indicating her opposition to abortion.[8]
The Republican primary took place on August 18, 2020. Cammack won the nomination, defeating a field of multiple candidates in the competitive race.[9][10] Her victory was noted in broader coverage of the 2020 Florida primary results, with Roll Call reporting on the outcome alongside other notable races in the state.[11] WUFT News also covered the result, noting that the incumbent's former aide had prevailed in the Republican primary.[12] The Wall Street Journal also noted Cammack's primary victory in the context of the broader 2020 primary season.[13] The Florida Daily likewise reported on her primary win.[14]
General Election
Following her primary victory, Cammack entered the general election as the Republican nominee in a district that was considered safely Republican. She won the November 2020 general election, securing her seat in the 117th United States Congress.[15][16] The Hill profiled Cammack as part of its guide to new members of Congress, highlighting her background and policy priorities.[1]
Tenure in Congress
Cammack took office on January 3, 2021, succeeding Ted Yoho as the representative for Florida's 3rd congressional district.[2] Her district covers a twelve-county area in North Central Florida, a region with a significant agricultural economy and several major educational institutions.
In Congress, Cammack has focused on several policy areas consistent with the positions she articulated during her campaign. These include border security, agricultural policy, and election integrity. She has also been active on issues relating to women's sports and disaster relief for Florida's agricultural sector.
Border Security and Immigration
Cammack has maintained a focus on border security throughout her congressional tenure. During her campaign, she released a video expressing support for the construction of a border wall along the U.S.–Mexico border.[7] In Congress, she has continued to advocate for strengthened border enforcement. In February 2026, her office issued a statement in response to escalating cartel violence in Mexico, urging Americans in affected areas to shelter in place and highlighting the security implications of cross-border criminal activity.[17]
Election Integrity
Cammack has been an advocate for election integrity measures. In February 2026, she joined 70 House Republicans in supporting the SAVE America Act, legislation aimed at enhancing election integrity by requiring voter identification.[18]
Women's Sports Legislation
Cammack has been active on the issue of transgender athletes' participation in women's sports. In February 2026, she co-sponsored the Riley Gaines Act (H.R. 7368), introduced by Virginia Congressman John McGuire, which would provide a legal avenue for female athletes to sue over transgender participation in women's sports competitions.[19][20][21] In a statement regarding the legislation, Cammack said, "Women's sports are for women. Period."[21] She also participated in a Capitol Hill luncheon with Representative Tom Emmer to advocate for the protection of women's sports.[22]
Agricultural Policy and Disaster Relief
Representing a district with a significant agricultural economy, Cammack has been involved in advocacy for Florida's farming communities. In February 2026, she led Florida's congressional delegation in requesting a USDA disaster declaration following a devastating freeze that impacted agricultural operations in the state.[23] This action demonstrated her role in coordinating federal disaster relief efforts for the agricultural communities within her district.
Campaign Finance
Cammack's campaign finance filings are publicly available through the Federal Election Commission, where she is listed as a candidate for Florida's 3rd congressional district.[24]
Electoral History
Cammack first won election to Congress in 2020, succeeding Ted Yoho in Florida's 3rd congressional district. She won the Republican primary on August 18, 2020, and the general election on November 3, 2020.[9][15] She has continued to represent the district in subsequent congressional terms.[2]
Personal Life
Cammack resides in Florida within the boundaries of the 3rd congressional district she represents.[2] She has spoken publicly about her family's experience with homelessness during her youth, citing it as a formative experience that motivated her entry into public service.[3] During her 2020 campaign, she shared details about these experiences in a digital advertisement, presenting her personal background as central to her political identity and motivations.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Rep.-elect Kat Cammack (R-Fla.-03)".The Hill.2020.https://thehill.com/new-members-guide-2020/527752-rep-elect-kat-cammack-r-fla-03.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Kat Cammack".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Kat_Cammack.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "CD 3 Republican Kat Cammack tells her story in new digital ad".Florida Politics.2020.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/350148-cd-3-republican-kat-cammack-tells-her-story-in-new-digital-ad.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Ted Yoho's former deputy chief of staff Kat Cammack to run for Congress".WUFT.2019-12-13.https://www.wuft.org/news/2019/12/13/ted-yohos-former-deputy-chief-of-staff-kat-cammack-to-run-for-congress/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Rep. Ted Yoho's son says Kat Cammack was fired as chief of staff".Floridian Press.2020-06.https://floridianpress.com/2020/06/rep-ted-yohos-son-says-kat-cammack-was-fired-as-chief-of-staff/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Kat Cammack signs term limits pledge".The Capitolist.https://thecapitolist.com/kat-cammack-signs-term-limits-pledge/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Kat Cammack promises to support border wall in new video".The Capitolist.https://thecapitolist.com/kat-cammack-promises-to-support-border-wall-in-new-video/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Kat Cammack will 'always choose life' if elected in CD 3".Florida Politics.2020.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/352665-kat-cammack-will-always-choose-life-if-elected-in-cd-3.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Kat Cammack wins Florida GOP primary in bid for Ted Yoho's seat".The Hill.2020-08-18.https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/512387-kat-cammack-wins-florida-gop-primary-in-bid-for-ted-yohos-seat.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Kat Cammack wins Republican nomination in CD 3".Florida Politics.2020-08-18.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/359641-kat-cammack-wins-republican-nomination-in-cd-3.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Florida primary roundup: GOP gets preferred challenger to Mucarsel-Powell; Posey survives".Roll Call.2020-08-18.https://www.rollcall.com/2020/08/18/florida-primary-roundup-gop-gets-preferred-challenger-to-mucarsel-powell-posey-survives/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Incumbent's former aide wins Republican primary in Florida's 3rd Congressional District".WUFT.2020-08-18.https://www.wuft.org/news/2020/08/18/incumbents-former-aide-wins-republican-primary-in-floridas-3rd-congressional-district/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Ross Spano becomes eighth House lawmaker defeated in primaries".The Wall Street Journal.2020-08-18.https://www.wsj.com/articles/ross-spano-becomes-eighth-house-lawmaker-defeated-in-primaries-11597804955.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Kat Cammack wins GOP primary to replace Ted Yoho".Florida Daily.2020.https://www.floridadaily.com/kat-cammack-wins-gop-primary-to-replace-ted-yoho/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Florida 3rd Congressional District Results".The New York Times.2020-11-03.https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-florida-house-district-3.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Election results".Associated Press.2020.https://apnews.com/2064027db47ca9fd841ee7c05a4ea3fe.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Addresses Security Alert Due to Cartel Violence in Mexico".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02-22.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congresswoman+Kat+Cammack+Addresses+Security+Alert+Due+to+Cartel+Violence+in+Mexico.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Joins 70 House Republicans in Supporting SAVE America Act for Election Integrity".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02-22.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congresswoman+Kat+Cammack+Joins+70+House+Republicans+in+Supporting+SAVE+America+Act+for+Election+Integrity.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Rep. Cammack cosponsors bill allowing female athletes to sue over transgender sports participation".WCJB.2026-02-23.https://www.wcjb.com/2026/02/23/rep-cammack-cosponsors-bill-allowing-female-athletes-sue-over-transgender-sports-participation/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Kat Cammack Touts Riley Gaines Act to Protect Women's Sports".Floridian Press.2026-02.https://floridianpress.com/2026/02/kat-cammack-touts-riley-gaines-act-to-protect-womens-sports/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Rep. Kat Cammack co-sponsors 'Riley Gaines Act' to protect women's sports".Alachua Chronicle.2026-02.https://alachuachronicle.com/rep-kat-cammack-co-sponsors-riley-gaines-act-to-protect-womens-sports/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Congresswoman Kat Cammack Advocates for Women's Sports at Capitol Luncheon".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02-21.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congresswoman+Kat+Cammack+Advocates+for+Women%27s+Sports+at+Capitol+Luncheon.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Cammack and Florida Delegation Request USDA Disaster Declaration Following Devastating Freeze".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02-22.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Cammack+and+Florida+Delegation+Request+USDA+Disaster+Declaration+Following+Devastating+Freeze.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Candidate: Kat Cammack".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H0FL03175.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- 1988 births
- Living people
- People from Denver
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
- Metropolitan State University of Denver alumni
- Naval War College alumni
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Florida Republicans
- American women in politics
- Members of the 117th United States Congress
- Politicians from North Central Florida