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21st Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 21st District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Brian Mast (R) ran for re-election against James T. Martin (D) and Alexander Cooke (No Party Affiliation). With all 67 counties reporting, Mast leads by 31,343 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the Florida Division of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Mast leadsAll counties reporting; unofficial until certified1
53.95%Mast (R)1
44.75%Martin (D)1
1.31%Cooke (No Party Affiliation)1
31,343Vote margin of 340,657 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...Alexander CookeJames T. MartinBrian Mast
Names a policy7 of 7
6 of 6
10 of 11
Says how they'd do it5 of 7
0 of 6
2 of 11
Includes a number or target3 of 7
0 of 6
1 of 11
Says how it's paid for1 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 11
Gives a timeline0 of 7
0 of 6
0 of 11
Points to a record1 of 7
0 of 6
10 of 11

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.

Alexander CookeNo Party Affiliation
James T. MartinDemocrat
Brian MastRepublican
Who they are
Alexander Cooke
former mayor of Juno Beach, finance professional
James T. Martin
Coast Guard Reserve lieutenant commander, national security expert
Brian Mast
incumbent per his campaign site, U.S. Army veteran
Abortion
Alexander Cooke
Nothing on this topic
James T. Martin
Nothing on this topic
Brian Mast
Defending Life"I have supported legislation to protect the unborn, prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion and increase protections for infants born alive after a failed abortion procedure."2
Names a policy
Guns
Alexander Cooke
Nothing on this topic
James T. Martin
Nothing on this topic
Brian Mast
Protecting The Second Amendment"during my time in Congress I've helped pass legislation to protect the 2nd Amendment rights of concealed carry permit holders"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Immigration and the border
Alexander Cooke
Nothing on this topic
James T. Martin
Immigration"investing in immigration judges to clear asylum backlogs, ending the use of immigration enforcement as a political weapon, creating a workable path to legal status for long-term residents who've built their lives here, and fixing a broken visa system"5
Names a policy
Brian Mast
Nothing on this topic
Veterans
Alexander Cooke
Nothing on this topic
James T. Martin
Protecting Social Security & Veterans' Benefits"opposing any effort to raise the retirement age, privatize Social Security, or gut the Department of Veteran's Affairs under the guise of reform"5
Names a policy
Brian Mast
Improving Care for Veterans"That's why I support giving veterans the flexibility to choose anytime, anywhere medical care" Also: "a law that I wrote to protect benefits like nursing home care for veterans"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Social Security, Medicare and seniors
Alexander Cooke
Nothing on this topic
James T. Martin
Nothing on this topic
Brian Mast
Ensuring Care for Seniors"In order to accomplish these goals, I've helped pass legislation to strengthen Medicare and voted to protect social security beneficiaries."2
Points to a record
Health care
Alexander Cooke
Florida Insurance Crisis"The Cooke proposal: a $20B initial federal share, drawn from existing FEMA disaster appropriations." Also: "$5,000 credit per home, capped at the per-home cost" for "impact windows, roof straps, and elevation."12
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or targetSays how it's paid for
ACA Premium Cliff"Extend the IRA's $2,000 Part D out-of-pocket cap to ACA marketplace plans." Also: "Make enhanced ACA subsidies permanent" and "Federal reinsurance for high-cost ACA marketplace enrollees"13
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or target
James T. Martin
Healthcare"he supports a public option: a pathway to quality, affordable healthcare for every American who wants it, without taking away what's already working for millions of families"5
Names a policy
Brian Mast
Making Healthcare More Affordable"I voted in favor of the American Healthcare Act" and "secured more than $6 billion to combat the opioid epidemic"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Housing
Alexander Cooke
Live Local Act & Zoning Override"HUD CDBG and PRO Housing grants restructured so that localities are scored on outcomes (units permitted), not on adopting any particular zoning template." Also: "Targeted federal loan guarantees and tax credits for accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and townhomes"9, 14
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
James T. Martin
Nothing on this topic
Brian Mast
Nothing on this topic
Schools and education
Alexander Cooke
Nothing on this topic
James T. Martin
Nothing on this topic
Brian Mast
Safer And Stronger Communities"I've also voted to pass several new laws to prevent sex trafficking, and increased support for survivors of domestic violence and other sexual abuse." Also: "I will continue advocating for dollars to follow students so parents can decide which school is best for their children."2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Energy and environment
Alexander Cooke
Lake Okeechobee Discharges"The fix: a hard cyanotoxin threshold above which discharges are barred, with EPA verification." Also: "Federal cost-share match increased to 75% for the EAA Reservoir and Western Everglades restoration."8
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or target
James T. Martin
Clean Water"That means completing Everglades restoration, cleaning up Lake Okeechobee, stopping toxic discharges to the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon, and never compromising or curtailing bedrock environmental laws."5
Names a policy
Brian Mast
Fighting For Clean Water"As a result of legislation I wrote, the Army Corps is currently rewriting its regulation schedule that determines when discharges happen." Also: "Sending more water south into the Everglades during the dry season allows Lake Okeechobee to naturally recess prior to the wet season"2
Names a policySays how they'd do itPoints to a record
Ethics, term limits and money in politics
Alexander Cooke
Hold Washington Accountable"Let Medicare negotiate drug prices directly." and "No benefit cuts. No raising the retirement age. No privatization."7
Names a policy
James T. Martin
Anti-Corruption & Transparency"banning members of Congress from trading stocks and making bets on insider information, and closing the revolving door between Capitol Hill and the K Street lobbying corridor"5
Names a policy
Brian Mast
Drain The Swamp"I support term limits for politicians and have co-sponsored legislation implementing a cap of three terms for members of the House of Representatives and two terms for members of the Senate." Also: "I support and have voted in favor of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution"2
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or targetPoints to a record
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Alexander Cooke
Protecting the Free Market"Support or introduce legislation cutting federal red tape on small businesses" and "Expand access to SBA-backed capital for FL-21 entrepreneurs"11
Names a policy
James T. Martin
Cost of Living"ending reckless tariffs driving up the price of groceries, using antitrust laws to break up the corporate consolidation that is squeezing consumers at every turn, or expanding access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses"5
Names a policy
Brian Mast
Tax Cuts And Jobs"Now, we must continue working to close special interest loopholes and lobbyist-driven deductions while making the individual tax cuts permanent!" Also: "I support and have voted in favor of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Defense and foreign policy
Alexander Cooke
Foreign Aid vs. Domestic Investment"Every foreign-aid supplemental should sunset automatically and require a fresh up-or-down vote" and "Pay-As-You-Go rules that exempt domestic infrastructure and disaster mitigation from offsets requirements."10
Names a policySays how they'd do it
James T. Martin
Nothing on this topic
Brian Mast
Supporting our Ally Israel"Specifically, I introduced and passed legislation to combat radical Islamic terrorism, cut off U.S. aid funds being used to reward anti-Israel terrorists" Also: "I have worked to oppose the dangerous BDS movement"2
Names a policyPoints to a record
America First"That's why I've voted to institute new sanctions on Iran, as well as North Korea and Russia."2
Names a policyPoints to a record
Their record
Alexander Cooke
  • Elected to the Juno Beach Town Council in 2022 and became mayor within a year.14 His Meet Alex page lists he "Overhauled the town's zoning regulations," "Created Juno Beach's first Audit Committee" and "Secured a $500,000 public-benefit concession."14
James T. Martin
  • Lieutenant commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve; his Home page says he "chased drug runners and human traffickers, served overseas in combat zones, protected our maritime border, and advised our leaders in the White House."5 Service history, not a vote, law or program on a listed issue.
Brian Mast
  • Calls himself "your Congressman from Florida's 21st congressional district" and, on his Israel section, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.42 His Priorities page lists the votes and bills credited above.
  • Served in the U.S. Army; lost both legs and a finger to a roadside bomb in 2010.2
In their words
Alexander Cooke

"Voluntary best-management practices have failed for 30 years; the law allows mandatory enforcement and we should use it."

Alex Cooke campaign, Lake Okeechobee Discharges8

"Washington keeps writing rules that shield corporate giants and crush the entrepreneurs trying to compete with them."

Alex Cooke campaign, Protecting the Free Market11
James T. Martin

"I'm a fourth generation Floridian, a dad, husband, national security expert, and proud U.S. Coast Guard veteran."

James Martin campaign, Home5

"Public office is a public trust, and James will treat it that way."

James Martin campaign, Home5
Brian Mast

"I pride myself on being a taxpayer watchdog and supporting efforts to make the federal government more efficient, effective, and accountable."

Brian Mast campaign, Priorities2

"I became a bomb technician because I wanted to save lives and serve a cause greater than myself."

Brian Mast campaign, Priorities2
Where we read it
Alexander Cooke
Website: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)
James T. Martin
Website: jamesmartinforflorida.com/ (checked 11/5/2026)
Brian Mast
Website: mastforcongress.com/priorities/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • All three put Everglades water on their list. Mast: "the goal of restoration is to send the water South in a way that as closely mimics the natural flow as possible."2 Martin: "completing Everglades restoration, cleaning up Lake Okeechobee."5 Cooke: "The excess water needs to flow south, treated through marshes and the Everglades."8
  • All three say they would not cut Social Security. Mast: "I absolutely do not support cutting benefits for current retirees or anybody nearing retirement."2 Martin: "He will never vote to cut Social Security, Medicare, or veterans' benefits."5 Cooke: "No benefit cuts. No raising the retirement age. No privatization."7
  • Martin and Cooke both want more small-business capital. Martin: "expanding access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses."5 Cooke: "Expand access to SBA-backed capital for FL-21 entrepreneurs."11

Where they really split

  • Health care: Mast "voted in favor of the American Healthcare Act."2 Martin "supports a public option."5 Cooke would "Make enhanced ACA subsidies permanent."13
  • Immigration: Mast says "we must secure the border and prevent visa overstays."2 Martin backs "creating a workable path to legal status for long-term residents."5 Cooke's pages do not take up immigration.

What each one leaves out

  • Mast's Priorities page names a policy on 10 of eleven headings and credits a vote or bill of his own on 10. It gives details on two (term limits, Everglades operations), no funding source and no dates. Parts of it are out of date, such as "the Biden Administration."2
  • Martin's Home page names a policy on all six headings and gives no details, numbers, costs, dates or past actions on any of them.5
  • Cooke's pages give details on 5 of seven issues, with numbers on 3 and a named funding source on one (FEMA appropriations). He names no timeline, and his past actions as mayor show up on one issue.12
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. Brian Mast campaign, Priorities: mastforcongress.com/priorities/
  3. Brian Mast campaign, Fighting For Clean Water: mastforcongress.com/priorities/water/
  4. Brian Mast campaign, Meet Brian: mastforcongress.com/meet-brian/
  5. James Martin campaign, Home (priorities section): jamesmartinforflorida.com/
  6. Alex Cooke campaign, Issues: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues
  7. Alex Cooke campaign, Home: alexcookeforcongress.com/
  8. Alex Cooke campaign, Lake Okeechobee Discharges: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues/lake-okeechobee
  9. Alex Cooke campaign, Live Local Act & Zoning Override: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues/live-local-act
  10. Alex Cooke campaign, Foreign Aid vs. Domestic Investment: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues/foreign-spending
  11. Alex Cooke campaign, Protecting the Free Market: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues/free-market
  12. Alex Cooke campaign, Florida Insurance Crisis: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues/insurance-crisis
  13. Alex Cooke campaign, ACA Premium Cliff: alexcookeforcongress.com/issues/healthcare-premiums
  14. Alex Cooke campaign, Meet Alex: alexcookeforcongress.com/meet-alex