Florida voters have chosen former sports broadcaster Ryan Elijah as their next representative, and he is already outlining a clear agenda for the 120th Congress. Elijah, who defeated incumbent Rep. Cory Mills in the August Republican primary, told Fox News Digital that his top priorities will be cracking down on fraud, protecting consumers and tackling inflation.

Fraud and consumer protection at the forefront

“I’m going to lean into consumer protection — that’s something I fought for my whole life — and lean into fraud,” Elijah said. He emphasized that Washington has a responsibility to safeguard taxpayers from wasteful programs and to ensure that federal dollars are not siphoned off by dishonest actors. “There is so much more Washington could do against fraud. I hope there is a bipartisan appetite on both sides to not only protect consumers but also target some of this fraud that is wasting so much of our tax dollars,” he added.

Inflation relief and bipartisan cooperation

Elijah framed inflation as a pressing concern for his constituents, noting that voters made it clear they want prices to come down and life to become easier. “Voters made it loud and clear to both parties that they want change, they want inflation to come down, and they want life to become a little easier,” he said. He called for both parties to work together to achieve these goals, arguing that the district’s needs transcend partisan lines.

Commitment to ethical governance

The incoming lawmaker also criticized members of Congress who use their positions for personal enrichment. He warned against insider trading and called for rules that would prevent lawmakers from trading stocks while serving on committees. “Members of Congress should not sit on a committee and be able to trade stocks, and that is something that I would support if it moves forward in the next Congress,” Elijah said.

Committee preferences

Elijah expressed interest in serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee or the House Financial Services Committee, where he believes he can have the greatest impact on consumer protection and financial oversight. He also mentioned the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as a way to bring critical projects back to his district, which he described as having “so much growth ahead of us.”

Party unity after midterm losses

Addressing the broader Republican caucus, Elijah urged his colleagues to stay united after the party lost control of the House in the recent midterms. “Republicans must hold the line on the progress we’ve made so far while working to advance our priorities in a divided Washington,” he said, emphasizing the need for a cohesive strategy moving forward.

Looking ahead

Elijah is expected to be sworn in with the rest of the 120th Congress in January. As he prepares for his new role, he promises to keep his district’s interests at the forefront, representing “100% of the people in their district, not just 50%,” and to pursue policies that restore public trust in government.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.