Rep. Daniel Webster
From Staff Reports
In Summary:
U.S. Rep. Dan Webster will retire at the end of his current term, concluding one of the longest tenures in Florida political history. The Republican congressman cited a desire to spend more time with his family after eight terms in Congress and years in the state legislature. His decision opens a Central Florida seat that includes Apopka and is expected to draw a competitive field of candidates.
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U.S. Rep. Dan Webster will retire at the end of his current term, bringing to a close one of the longest tenures in Florida political history and opening a key Central Florida congressional seat that includes all of Apopka.
Webster, a Republican representing Florida’s 11th Congressional District, announced he will not seek re-election, citing a desire to spend more time with his family after decades of public service.
“After much prayerful consideration and discussion with my beloved wife Sandy, I have decided not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives,” Webster said. “It has been an honor and privilege to represent my beloved state in the U.S. House of Representatives. I’ve never taken for granted my responsibility to Florida’s hardworking taxpayers and families to advance common-sense reforms and principled policy. The time has come to pass the torch to the next conservative leader and spend more precious time with my wife, children, and 24 grandchildren.”
Florida’s 11th Congressional District covers a large portion of Central Florida, including all of Lake County and parts of Orange, Sumter, and Polk counties. The district includes all of Apopka, placing local voters directly within the seat that will now be open for the first time in years.
Webster’s departure marks the end of a career that spans both the Florida Legislature and eight terms in Congress. He is widely recognized as Florida’s longest-serving elected official and played a role in shifting the balance of power in the state, helping Republicans gain a legislative majority after more than a century of Democratic control.
A small-business owner with an engineering background, Webster built his legislative focus around infrastructure and fiscal policy. During his time in Congress, he supported efforts to reduce federal regulations, expand investment in transportation systems, and secure funding for the U.S. Coast Guard.
His record includes support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and advocacy for policies to help small-business owners reinvest in their companies. He also backed measures providing tax relief for seniors, including a Social Security income tax credit included in broader federal legislation.
“I ran for office because I wanted to change public policy,” Webster said. “Fighting to protect our freedoms, values, life, and liberty; lower taxes; invest in our veterans and active-duty military, infrastructure, and precious ecosystems has energized me every day. To have been part of the development and passage of some of the most significant legislation in our time is something I will forever treasure.”
Beyond legislative work, Webster pointed to constituent services as a key part of his role in Congress. His office reported helping return nearly $32 million to residents through federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security, the IRS, and Medicare.
Webster also emphasized fiscal discipline within his own office, noting he reduced his congressional salary and office budget each year, returning more than $6 million in savings to the U.S. Treasury.
Despite his retirement announcement, Webster said he will remain focused on his duties through the end of his term. Among his priorities are a major transportation reauthorization bill to fund national infrastructure, efforts to expand private investment in public projects, and maintaining U.S. leadership in space and emerging technologies.
“There is much work left to do before this Congress closes, and I am fully focused on finishing strong,” he said.
Webster’s decision opens what is expected to be a competitive race in Florida’s 11th Congressional District. Multiple Republican, Democratic, and third-party candidates have already filed, and additional candidates may enter the race in the coming months.
While the district has historically favored Republicans, the open seat — and its inclusion of communities like Apopka — introduces new dynamics that could shape the political landscape in Central Florida as the election approaches.
This developing story will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
Key Points:
- Dan Webster will not seek re-election and will retire at the end of his term
- Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes all of Apopka
- Webster served eight terms in Congress and decades in the Florida Legislature
- He cited family as the primary reason for his decision
- The open seat is expected to draw multiple candidates from both parties
