Mike Pedersen

Republican Candidate for SWFL District 19.
Former USMC / Desert Storm Veteran. Wrestling Coach. Youth Mentor. “Not done serving."

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

Thank you for the supportive words, @realcawthorn. @JohnStrandUSA and I have both officially qualified for the ballot and earned our place in the race— him especially through signatures. Hopefully the @FloridaGOP does the right thing and makes this right.

[Madison Cawthorn @realcawthorn]

Hoping Mike Pedersen and John Strand also are invited to this and get to join the debate – they are patriots!

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

Never lost an election, but I never made a career out of running for one.

I’ve had plenty of wins along the way—serving my country, mentoring young people, coaching champions, and giving back to the Southwest Florida community I’ve proudly called home for nearly 30 years.

Combat-Tested. Community-Proven. Florida-Rooted.

[The Floridian @Floridianpress]

Chris Collins calls his primary opponents a bunch of losers.

Who only "only know how to lose," while he knew how to win.

@CatalinaLauf , @OlaHawatmeh, @votejimoberweis and @realcawthorn & more are running against him in FL 19.

https://t.co/FOrntBzd5k

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

My U. S. Naval Academy classmate, Vice Admiral Robert Harward (Ret.), is absolutely correct.

Real deterrence is built on sustained pressure, credible capability, and disciplined control of escalation - shaping the environment so adversaries are forced to recalculate before they act.

Proud to have his endorsement for U. S. Congress, Florida D19.

[Laura Ingraham @IngrahamAngle]

ADM. HARWARD: “DETERRENCE IS BACK”

“If they open the strait and stuff starts flowing tomorrow—it’s a huge victory for the president.”

“We had lost all deterrence… they didn’t fear the United States. That’s changed—deterrence is back on the table.”

“The Iranians know he was going to take them to the Stone Ages… now we watch what they do.”

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

The Air Force WSO (Weapons Systems Officer) of the downed 2-seat F-15E Strike Eagle has been recovered - because a world-class CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) operation went to work.

Those of us who’ve served as military aviators in combat know this reality.

We train extensively for that moment: ejection, survival, evasion. And we trust wholeheartedly that if the worst day comes, a team is coming for us.

This was professional precision under pressure - the quiet excellence of our military. Pilots, rescue crews, intel, coordinators, and special operators moving fast to bring one of our own back safely.

To every person who made that happen - thank you.

We bring our people home.

P.S. — Shot down on Good Friday. Recovered early Easter Sunday. Hard not to see something bigger at work.

[The White House @WhiteHouse]

A moment to be proud of. 🇺🇸

GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS.

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

And kudos to the folks who make and maintain ejection seats!

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

Honored to be interviewed this afternoon by @cerisesdumatin about the recent loss of an F-15E and on U.S. air operations in Iran. Apparently I am now a go-to “expert” on getting shot at in a fighter jet! Give it a listen for some humble thoughts and perspective.

More importantly, please keep the crew, their families, and all of our military brothers and sisters supporting the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) efforts in your prayers. The search continues for the second crew member, and we are all hoping for the best.

These are the risks our aviators accept every day. Proud of them, always.

[Sierra Clair (Knoch) @cerisesdumatin]

BREAKING: NEW episode with military aviation expert @MDPedersen_FL19 who reacts to the news of a U.S. #F15Efighterjet downed in #Iran WATCH���️

https://t.co/sp6V3aCTzl

[Florida’s Voice @FLVoiceNews]

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James L. Dozier has endorsed Marine veteran Mike Pedersen in the race for Florida’s 19th Congressional District

https://t.co/M7uFziqH6d

[Florida’s Voice @FLVoiceNews]

‘RARE ENDORSEMENT’: Retired Maj. Gen. James Dozier backs Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19 for Florida’s 19th Congressional seat, calls him a ‘steadfast conservative’ and ‘different kind of candidate’

“Rarely have I ever endorsed a candidate for political office… But Mike Pedersen is a different kind of candidate — one who I fully endorse without any hesitation whatsoever!”

https://t.co/U5Yn2JXGxA

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

Operation Epic Fury reflects a shift in how America protects its interests, and anyone who has reviewed the latest National Defense Strategy should not be surprised.

The strategy is clear: restore deterrence, act early, work with capable partners, and prevent growing threats from becoming major wars that would demand far greater American sacrifice.

That is exactly what this approach does.

For years, Iran’s leadership has relied on proxy forces to target Americans, threaten our partners, disrupt global shipping, and advance dangerous military capabilities — including programs that could alter the regional balance of power. These networks have attacked U.S. personnel and bases, targeted international shipping lanes that carry energy and goods critical to the global economy, and worked to destabilize a region where disruption directly affects fuel prices, supply chains, and economic stability here at home.

Too often, these actions were taken under the assumption that those directing them would remain insulated from direct consequences.

That assumption is changing.

From Midnight Hammer to Epic Fury, the United States — working alongside Israel and supported by regional partners — is applying limited, targeted pressure against the leadership, command networks, and operational capabilities that enable this behavior.

The successful elimination of Iranian operational leaders is significant validation of this approach. Removing the individuals responsible for directing violence disrupts the networks that threaten American forces and regional stability. It also sends a clear signal: those who plan and enable aggression will face direct consequences.

This is not occupation.
This is not nation-building.
This is not another open-ended war.

This is DETERRENCE. Applied EARLY and DELIBERATELY.

The National Defense Strategy calls for managing risk before crises escalate, strengthening burden-sharing with allies, and using focused military power to preserve stability and the balance of power. The objective is to prevent small conflicts from becoming larger wars that would cost far more in American lives and resources.

The stakes are real. Iran’s proxy networks, regional coercion, and pursuit of advanced strategic capabilities — including nuclear potential — pose risks that the United States and our allies cannot afford to ignore or allow to mature.

As a Desert Storm veteran, I’ve seen how these decisions play out in real time. Flying combat missions and working as a forward air controller, I learned the importance of identifying threats early, acting with precision, and bringing decisive force to bear before small dangers turn into much larger fights. The responsibility to act when American lives are at risk is never theoretical — and waiting only makes the cost higher.

This is what peace through strength looks like under today’s strategy: disciplined power, strong partners carrying real burden, and decisive action to disrupt threats before they grow.

The message is consistent: the United States does not seek conflict. But we will not allow growing threats to our people, our interests, or regional stability to go unanswered.

America prefers peace. But our adversaries should NEVER doubt that when DETERRENCE is tested, we have both the will and the capability to act.

[U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM]

🚫The Iranian regime claims to have killed 50 U.S. service members. LIE.
✅There have been no reported U.S. casualties.

🚫The IRGC claims that a U.S. Navy ship was struck by missiles. LIE.
✅No U.S. Navy ship has been struck. The Armada is fully operational.

🚫The Iranian regime is claiming severe damage at multiple U.S. bases. LIE.
✅Damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations.

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

Very much looking forward to the “He Died Like a Dog” speech sequel.

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

People on the left are so locked into partisanship they forget how to stand up for courage. When honoring heroes becomes political, you know priorities are upside down.

[Tdog @PatrioticMaster]

I’m proud to announce my Florida 2026 endorsements.

Governor- @JayCollinsFL

Attorney general- @JamesUthmeierFL

1st district- @JimmyPatronis

2nd district- @Keithgross

3rd district- @RepKatCammack

4th district- Anthony valerio

5th district- @markkayeshow

6th district- @Aaron4fl6

7th district- sarah ulrich

9th district- @thomaschalifoux

10th district- @Dr_V_Issa

11th district- @MikeWilnau

13th district- @realannapaulina (inc)

14th district - @rocky4congress

15th district- @Vote_Laurel

19th district- @MDPedersen_FL19

20th district- @RodJoseph20thFD

22nd district- @DebAdeimy

23rd district- @swaffarcongress

24th district- @patgforcongress

25th district- @MCarbonaraFL

I endorse these patriots proudly and we need to get these patriotic people elected so they can stand up for the people of Florida in congress instead of putting special interests first before their constituents. I support and endorse them 100%. I got their back. Florida needs true voices for them. Not democrats or rhinos who promise to stand up for and when elected, stab you in the back.

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

@PatrioticMaster @JayCollinsFL @JamesUthmeierFL @JimmyPatronis @Keithgross @RepKatCammack @markkayeshow Thank you!

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

I am deeply honored to receive General Nyland’s endorsement. His leadership and lifetime of service represent the very best of our United States Marine Corps. I will carry those values with me as I fight for SWFL and for an America that remains strong, secure, and free. #endorsement #usmc #fl19 #swfl

[Fox News @FoxNews]

SECRETARY HEGSETH on Maduro: "He F'd around and he found out."

[Mike Pedersen @MDPedersen_FL19]

Maduro should’ve read more history on Noriega’s fate. Instead - he found out!

[Fox News @FoxNews]

BREAKING: President Trump confirmed the U.S. military carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela early Saturday morning and took Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife into custody.