- December 4, 2025
Republican Charles Gambaro, a former brigadier general and current Palm Coast City Council member, will run for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 6, he said in a press release on July 31.
The seat in Congress is currently held by Republican Randy Fine, who won a special election on April 1 by a margin of 14 percentage points over Democrat Josh Weil. Trump endorsed Fine, as did Michael Waltz, who vacated the seat to serve in Trump’s administration.
Gambaro said in the press release that he would place “America first through a conservative Republican approach to finding solutions and solving problems."
He touted his leadership abilities and courage — “a leader that actually lives in the 6th Congressional District.” (Fine lives south of District 6.)
Fine, who served in the Florida Legislature from 2016 to 2025, has been the subject of some controversy. Since joining the U.S. House, for example, he mocked images of starving Palestinians, saying they could “starve away.”
“Our residents deserve better than our current representative in Congress,” Gambaro said.
Meanwhile, Gambaro has been involved in political strife during his short tenure so far in Palm Coast. After he was appointed on Oct. 1, 2024, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris argued that Gambaro's appointment should have expired on election day, Nov. 5, 2024, according to his interpretation of the City Charter.
Then, after Norris was accused of violating the City Charter by interfering with staff, Gambaro has advocated for Norris to be censured and removed. Norris countered by suing Gambaro and the city. The City Council voted to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis to request he remove Norris.
Gambaro does not plan to run for Palm Coast City Council in 2026.
