Who is running for Florida House, District 53 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Florida House, District 53 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Florida House District 53.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Tony Claude
DemocratPrivate citizen
Tony Claude is a Spring Hill resident and U.S. Air Force veteran who served from 1991 to 19942. In his Ballotpedia survey he says he spent more than 40 years in the wholesale food industry, including 20 years at Nestlé2. He is the Democratic candidate for the open House District 53 seat against Republican Brian Hawkins and Constitution Party candidate Christopher Anger1.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Christopher Anger
IndependentPrivate citizen
Christopher Anger is a 39 year Hernando County resident who served in the U.S. Army until 1987 and later became a licensed certified building contractor, according to his campaign site2. The Division of Elections lists him under the CPF party code, and his campaign site says he is a member of the Constitution Party of Florida12. He faces Democrat Tony Claude and Republican Brian Hawkins for the open House District 53 seat on November 3, 20261.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Brian Hawkins
RepublicanFormer Hernando County Commissioner, District 2
Brian Hawkins is a U.S. Navy veteran and business owner who chaired the Hernando County Commission, according to his campaign site2. He announced his resignation from the commission on June 10, 2026, to run for the Florida House3. His campaign site lists lower taxes, E-Verify compliance by subcontractors and support for law enforcement among his priorities, and he faces Democrat Tony Claude and Constitution Party candidate Christopher Anger on November 3, 202621.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-10. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.