Paul Dellinger
Candidate, U.S. House Florida District 8
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Paul Dellinger (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 8th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 3, 2026.[source]
Dellinger also ran for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 8. He will not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2026.
Dellinger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Paul Dellinger was born in Titusville, Florida. He graduated from Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. He attended Eastern Florida State College. His career experience includes working as a community organizer, assistant manager at Pizza Hut, general manager at Bagel 13, and in comedic roles at the Cocoa Village Playhouse.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Florida's 8th Congressional District election, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paul Dellinger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dellinger's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m Paul Lyal Dellinger, a lifelong community advocate, content creator, acore/comedian and working-class Floridian running for Congress in Florida’s 8th District. I live in Rockledge with my partner, Joseph Cox, Professional Scenic Artist at the Cocoa Village Playhouse. My campaign is rooted in grassroots organizing — focused on affordable healthcare, affordability in general, supporting working families, and ensuring equality and dignity for every person. I believe change comes from the ground up, through compassion, accountability, and people power.
- People over politics — fighting for working families, the disabled, marginalized communities, and everyday Floridians rather than special interests or party agendas.
- Accountability and transparency — ensuring government officials deliver on promises and are fully responsible to their constituents.
- Grassroots empowerment — mobilizing communities to have a real voice in decisions that affect their lives, from local issues to federal policy.
Affordable access to healthcare and essential services — making sure everyone can get the care and support they need without financial hardship, while also advocating for civil rights, disability rights, and social justice.
I look up to Conan O’Brien because of his creativity, intelligence, and resilience. He has built a career that combines humor with insight, always thinking outside the box and connecting with people from all walks of life. I admire his ability to remain authentic and curious, to adapt through challenges, and to use his platform to engage, entertain, and inspire others. Conan’s dedication to his craft and his ability to bring joy while provoking thought are qualities I hope to bring to my own work in public service.
Integrity, courage, and accountability are essential. An elected official must be willing to fight for the people they represent, not special interests, and have the empathy to understand the struggles of working families, the disabled, and marginalized communities. Transparency and a willingness to listen are just as important as bold action.
A representative’s core responsibility is to serve their constituents — protecting access to affordable healthcare, advocating for working families, ensuring civil rights, and bringing attention to local issues, from environmental concerns to education and infrastructure. They must listen, amplify local voices, and work to create solutions that reflect the district’s values and needs.
want to leave a legacy of service, accountability, and tangible change. I hope to be remembered as someone who fought for working families, the disabled, marginalized communities, and everyday Floridians — someone who didn’t just talk about change but helped create it. I want to inspire others to get involved, to believe that government can work for the people, and to show that compassion, courage, and persistence can make a real difference in our communities.
Bill Clinton’s reelection campaign, I was 5.
My very first job was overnight clerk at 7-11, I held it for three years.
I’m a big fan of manga and anime, and one of my favorite series is Dragon Ball. I love it not just for the action and adventure, but for the themes of perseverance, friendship, and personal growth. Manga has inspired me to think creatively, stay resilient in the face of challenges, and value teamwork — lessons I carry into both my personal life and public service.
If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Superman. I admire his commitment to justice, his courage in standing up for the vulnerable, and his dedication to using his abilities to help others. Like Superman, I want to use whatever skills and resources I have to make a positive difference in people’s lives and stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult.
Mental health has been a real struggle in my life, especially in my 20s. Balancing a full-time job while raising toddlers with my ex-wife was incredibly challenging. It taught me firsthand how demanding life can be when support systems are limited and mental health is overlooked. Those experiences shaped my empathy and drive to advocate for better mental health resources, support for working parents, and policies that help families thrive without being stretched beyond their limits.
The House is uniquely close to the people, with representatives directly accountable every two years. Its size, diversity, and direct connection to districts allow for a real reflection of America’s communities and local needs.
Experience can help, but it is not required. Commitment, empathy, and the willingness to fight for constituents matter more than career politics. Sometimes, fresh voices bring the clarity and energy government needs.
Healthcare affordability, climate change, economic inequality, protecting civil rights, and ensuring our democracy functions fairly and transparently are the biggest challenges. We also need to address social support systems, accessibility for the disabled, and quality education for all children.
Yes. A two-year term keeps representatives accountable to their constituents and ensures they stay connected to the district’s current needs.
I support term limits because long-term incumbency can breed complacency and disconnect from the people. Fresh perspectives and new energy help keep government accountable and responsive.
I admire Bill Nelson’s work as a Florida Democrat. He focused on practical solutions for working families, supported space and tech industries in our district, and stayed grounded in the needs of everyday Floridians. I aim to model that balance of vision, advocacy, and responsiveness.
One story that has stuck with me comes from working with people navigating healthcare and accessibility challenges in our community. I’ve seen parents struggling to get their children proper support, people with disabilities facing barriers in education and employment, and families burdened by medical costs. These experiences are personal to me because I see them in my neighbors and in the people I interact with every day. They’ve reinforced why I’m running — to fight for real solutions, accountability, and a government that actually listens and acts for its people.
Compromise can be necessary, but not at the expense of fundamental rights or the wellbeing of people. You don’t compromise on healthcare, civil rights, or safety. Principled compromise means finding solutions where it doesn’t harm the most vulnerable.
This power gives the House a critical role in shaping fair and equitable taxation and funding priorities. I would use it to ensure that revenue supports working families, affordable healthcare, education, infrastructure, and essential social services — not giveaways to corporations or special interests. It’s an opportunity to invest in the people of Florida’s 8th District and the nation.
The House should use investigative powers to hold government and institutions accountable, uncover wrongdoing, and ensure transparency. Investigations should be thorough, nonpartisan, and focused on protecting the public, maintaining trust in government, and enforcing laws fairly.
Brevard Community Organizing, Jessica Travis of Defend Brevard, more to come.
One story that has stayed with me is from a parent struggling to get proper support for their child with disabilities. They shared how difficult it was navigating schools, healthcare, and advocacy systems that often failed them. Hearing their frustration and resilience was deeply moving and reinforced why I’m running — to fight for systems that actually work for families, protect civil rights, and ensure no one is left behind.
One of my proudest accomplishments is raising my children. They are incredibly intelligent, creative, and passionate, especially about music and band, which brings them so much joy. Watching them grow into thoughtful, capable, and kind individuals has been the most rewarding part of my life, and it inspires me every day to work for a better future for all families.
The U.S. should lead in ethical, responsible AI development, prioritizing safety, privacy, and fairness. AI should be used to improve healthcare, education, and public services, but strict regulations are needed to prevent misuse, bias, or harm to workers and vulnerable communities.
I would push for legislation that strengthens access to voting, protects the integrity of elections, and modernizes systems to be secure and transparent. This includes expanded vote-by-mail options, equitable polling access, secure and auditable technology, and measures to prevent voter suppression while ensuring all eligible voters can participate freely.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paul Dellinger did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
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See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 10, 2025
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