After 24 years in the Navy—flying medevac helicopters in Iraq, leading combat missions against ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, and later helping lead NASA—Bale Dalton knows what real service looks like. For him, it’s courage, sacrifice, and putting the mission, and the people, first. Now, he’s running for Congress because Florida deserves leaders who put people and public safety ahead of politics, and he’s determined to deliver results for his potential constituents that will stop senseless shootings and end the violence plaguing communities across the Sunshine State.

As a lifelong hunter and sportsman who has a concealed carry permit and has carried weapons of war in combat, Dalton not only understands the power of firearms, but he knows promoting gun safety does not infringe on the Second Amendment. In office, he’ll be a tireless advocate for expanding background checks, closing the Charleston loophole, and implementing federal red flag laws like the ones that have already proved successful in Florida. Dalton also knows that commonsense measures like safe storage are necessary and that law enforcement plays a critical role in preventing violence in our cities and towns—and if elected, he’ll always fight to support and equip them with the tools and resources they need to do their jobs efficiently and keep our communities safe.

This fall, voters across Florida face a clear choice on their ballot: They can either continue the status quo and send a representative to Congress who will be a rubber stamp on the gun lobby’s dangerous agenda and President Trump’s worst instincts, or choose a brighter future by sending someone with integrity and a commitment to building safer communities, like Bale Dalton. We know he’ll always do the right thing—and the children and families across Central Florida can rest easier knowing their elected representative will put their safety first every time.

We are proud to endorse Bale Dalton for the US House of Representatives.