C. Franklin

Clifford Scott Franklin is a Republican politician and businessman serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 18th congressional district. A native of Thomaston, Georgia, he was raised in Lakeland, Florida. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and later earned a Master of Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Franklin served for 26 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve as a Naval Aviator, flying S-3 Viking aircraft from 13 different aircraft carriers and participating in combat operations in the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, and Kosovo. He retired with the rank of Commander. Following his military service, Franklin spent two decades in the private sector as the CEO of Lanier Upshaw, a Lakeland-based insurance and risk management firm. He entered public office in 2017 as a member of the Lakeland City Commission, where he served until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Franklin originally represented Florida's 15th district before transitioning to the 18th district following the 2022 redistricting process. In Congress, he serves on the House Appropriations Committee, holding leadership roles in subcommittees focused on agriculture and military construction. Throughout his tenure, Franklin has focused on issues impacting Florida's agricultural industry and national security infrastructure. As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, he has chaired the Environment Subcommittee, advocating for domestic innovation and environmental policies that support economic growth. He is also a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, where he works on initiatives related to disability assistance and economic opportunities for former service members.

Franklin aligns with conservative Republican platforms, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, deregulation, and a strong national defense. He advocates for lower taxes and reduced federal spending to combat inflation and national debt. On healthcare, he opposes the expansion of federal control and has supported initiatives to increase transparency and accountability in government health programs. He is a proponent of American energy independence, supporting policies that 'unleash' domestic energy production to lower costs for consumers. Regarding immigration, Franklin supports increased border security measures and has voted against extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain foreign nationals. In foreign policy, he emphasizes military readiness and has taken a cautious approach to foreign aid, such as expressing concerns over the coordination of legislative packages for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, he is a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights and a strong advocate for Florida's agricultural sector, seeking to protect farmers from regulatory burdens and weather-related disasters.