Home › Florida › U.S. House, 18th District
18th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 18th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Scott Franklin (R) is the incumbent and says he is in his third term. Curtis Gibson (D) is a former Lake Wales city commissioner and mall manager. Deva Simmons ran with No Party Affiliation and is an educator. With all 67 counties reporting statewide, Franklin leads Gibson by 10,026 votes of 273,264 cast. Our saved sources show no race call and no concession, and the count is unofficial until certified. Check your address with your county Supervisor of Elections to confirm your district.

Franklin leadsAll counties reporting; no call or concession in our sources; unofficial until certified1
50.35%Franklin (R)1
46.68%Gibson (D)1
2.97%Simmons (NPA)1
10,026Vote margin of 273,264 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Scott FranklinCurtis GibsonDeva Simmons
Names a policy4 of 7
2 of 6
2 of 4
Says how they'd do it0 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 4
Includes a number or target0 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 4
Says how it's paid for0 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 4
Gives a timeline0 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 4
Points to a record2 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 4

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Scott FranklinRepublican
Curtis GibsonDemocrat
Deva SimmonsNo Party Affiliation
Who they are
Scott Franklin
Incumbent: his Meet Scott page says he is serving his third term in Congress. His Priorities page lists seven items; the home page buttons use six differently named ones, so we scored the Priorities page. The home page donation text still says "help our neighborhoods recover from this pandemic."3
Curtis Gibson
Former Lake Wales city commissioner and mall manager. His home page links to a pledge page that returns a 404 error, so no pledge text was scored.
Deva Simmons
Educator with over 20 years in schools, by her own account. Her site has an English version at /en; the Issues page lists four items, each a heading with a short bullet list.
Guns
Scott Franklin
Protecting Your 2nd Amendment Rights"Scott has voted to protect Americans from federal overreach that would restrict lawful gun ownership"2
Points to a record
Curtis Gibson
Nothing on this topic
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Veterans
Scott Franklin
Nothing on this topic
Curtis Gibson
Veterans' Healthcare Access"If the VA cannot provide care close to home and within a reasonable timeframe, veterans should have a clear path to covered local providers without the runaround."5
Names a policy
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Social Security, Medicare and seniors
Scott Franklin
Defending Free Markets and the American Dream"He supported the Working Families Tax Cut, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, which delivers real relief to seniors and working Americans, including expanded tax deductions and policies that help families keep more of what they earn."2
Names a policy
Curtis Gibson
Nothing on this topic
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Health care
Scott Franklin
Nothing on this topic
Curtis Gibson
Property Insurance Stability"I'll push for a federal reinsurance backstop to help stabilize the market, lower risk, and bring real pressure down on premium costs."5
Names a policy
Deva Simmons
Affordable Healthcare"Protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act" "Lowering prescription drug costs for seniors"8
Names a policy
Schools and education
Scott Franklin
Nothing on this topic
Curtis Gibson
Nothing on this topic
Deva Simmons
Quality Education"Increasing teacher pay and support" "Making college more affordable" "Protecting public schools from defunding"8
None of the six checks
Child care and families
Scott Franklin
Standing Up for Faith, Family, and Life"Scott has voted to uphold the Hyde Amendment to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions." "He has also supported the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, requiring infants born alive receive the same level of care as any other child."2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Curtis Gibson
Nothing on this topic
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Farms and rural areas
Scott Franklin
Protecting Our Agriculture"advancing disaster assistance through block grants to ensure resources reach Florida farmers quickly and efficiently"2
Names a policy
Curtis Gibson
Citrus & Agriculture"I'll fight for smarter support for growers, stronger pathways to replant resilient citrus, and policies that protect agriculture from being pushed aside by unchecked development."5
None of the six checks
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Roads, transit and infrastructure
Scott Franklin
Nothing on this topic
Curtis Gibson
Infrastructure That Keeps Up With Growth"I'll fight for Heartland infrastructure funding, prioritize safety fixes at key choke points, and demand accountability so projects do not get buried in delays and excuses."5
None of the six checks
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Elections and voting
Scott Franklin
Nothing on this topic
Curtis Gibson
Nothing on this topic
Deva Simmons
Defending Democracy"Protecting voting rights for all citizens" "Fighting against gerrymandering" "Reforming campaign finance laws"8
None of the six checks
Ethics, term limits and money in politics
Scott Franklin
Advancing a Conservative Agenda for American Prosperity"Scott is fighting to cut wasteful spending, rein in government, and restore accountability in Washington."2
None of the six checks
Curtis Gibson
Straight Talk Accountability"I'll commit to direct communication, monthly public updates, local town halls, and face-to-face conversations through the Straight Talk Tour."5
None of the six checks
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Scott Franklin
Fueling Economic Growth"He supported the Working Families Tax Cut, delivering real relief to seniors and working families and helping Americans keep more of what they earn."2
Names a policy
Curtis Gibson
Property Tax Relief"I'll support policies that protect homeowners, seniors, and working families from being taxed out of stability."5
None of the six checks
Deva Simmons
Economic Stability"Raising the minimum wage to a living wage"8
Names a policy
Defense and foreign policy
Scott Franklin
Strengthening National Defense"That means a military that is fully funded, properly equipped, and never asked to do more with less."2
None of the six checks
Curtis Gibson
Nothing on this topic
Deva Simmons
Nothing on this topic
Their record
Scott Franklin
  • Serving his third term in Congress and on the House Appropriations Committee, by his own account.4
  • Spent 26 years as a Navy aviator and ran an insurance business in Lakeland for two decades, by his own account.4
Curtis Gibson
  • Former Lake Wales City Commissioner.6
  • By his own account, helped lead a three-year revitalization effort that grew Eagle Ridge Mall from 35 to 71 stores.6 His site doesn't tie either to an action on these six issues.
Deva Simmons
  • Over 20 years in education, and a past board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Lakeland, by her own account.9 Her site doesn't tie either to an action on an issue.
In their words
Scott Franklin

"Scott is a lifelong conservative Republican who knows that freedom isn't free."

Scott Franklin, campaign home page3

"peace through strength, backed by action, not words."

Scott Franklin, campaign Priorities page2
Curtis Gibson

"I'm running to deliver results you can feel in your monthly bills, your healthcare, your property taxes, and your community"

Curtis Gibson, campaign Issues page5

"These are the priorities I'm taking head-on with straight talk, real solutions, and accountability."

Curtis Gibson, campaign Issues page5
Deva Simmons

"Working families deserve an economy that works for them, not just the wealthy few."

Deva Simmons, campaign Issues page8

"Our democracy is only as strong as our commitment to protect it."

Deva Simmons, campaign Issues page8
Where we read it
Scott Franklin
Website: votescottfranklin.com/services (checked 11/5/2026)
Curtis Gibson
Website: votecurtisgibson.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)
Deva Simmons
Website: devasimmons.com/en/issues (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Franklin and Gibson both back Florida growers. Franklin: "supporting citrus recovery efforts."2 Gibson: "stronger pathways to replant resilient citrus."5
  • Franklin and Gibson both put veterans' care on their list. Franklin sits on the subcommittee "helping ensure strong support for our military, veterans, infrastructure, and American energy independence."4 Gibson: "make sure veterans in the Heartland can access timely, local medical care."5
  • All three talk about costs for families. Franklin: "He is working to lower costs for families."2 Gibson wants "results you can feel in your monthly bills."5 Simmons: "Lowering the cost of living for families."8

Where they really split

  • Health care: Simmons: "Protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act." Franklin "opposes efforts to raise taxes on families and small businesses, expand federal control over healthcare."2, 8
  • Taxes: Franklin "supported the Working Families Tax Cut, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill." Gibson: "I'll support policies that protect homeowners, seniors, and working families from being taxed out of stability."2, 5
  • Economy: Franklin wants "lower taxes, less regulation, secure supply chains, and a strong, competitive private sector." Simmons: "Raising the minimum wage to a living wage."2, 8

What each one leaves out

  • Franklin's Priorities page names a law or policy on four of seven items and spells out how on none. It points to a vote of his own on two (guns and abortion funding), and names no number, funding source or date.2
  • Gibson's Issues page names a policy on two of six items (a federal reinsurance backstop and local care for veterans) and spells out how on none. It gives no numbers, funding sources or dates, and his About page ties no action of his to these issues.5, 6
  • Simmons lists four issues as short bullet lists. She names a policy on two (the Affordable Care Act and a higher minimum wage) and spells out how on none. Her site gives no numbers, funding sources, dates or record on an issue.8
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. Florida Division of Elections, Florida Election Watch, unofficial (all 67 counties at 100% of precincts reporting): floridaelectionwatch.gov/FederalOffices/USRepresentative
  2. Scott Franklin campaign, Priorities: votescottfranklin.com/services
  3. Scott Franklin campaign, Home: votescottfranklin.com/
  4. Scott Franklin campaign, Meet Scott: votescottfranklin.com/about
  5. Curtis Gibson campaign, Issues: votecurtisgibson.com/issues
  6. Curtis Gibson campaign, About Curtis: votecurtisgibson.com/about
  7. Curtis Gibson campaign, Home: votecurtisgibson.com
  8. Deva Simmons campaign, Issues: devasimmons.com/en/issues
  9. Deva Simmons campaign, Meet Deva: devasimmons.com/en/meet-deva