Agricultural leader and congressional candidate Ben Butler is going after career politicians who “have spent years making promises they never intended to keep," promising to clean up the messes in Congress in a new campaign ad amid his bid for Florida’s 9th Congressional District (FL CD 9).
“Growing up on this cattle ranch, I’ve learned one simple rule. When you see bulls**t, clean it up,” the Florida Republican jokingly remarks in a video published on X.
Butler calls out congressional misappropriation of funds, open border policy, career politicians’ “political games,” and lawmakers’ false support for President Donald Trump, labelling them all as “bulls**t.”
“Career politicians have spent years making promises they never intended to keep. Washington is overflowing with excuses, finger-pointing, and political games,” Butler wrote. “The American people deserve leaders who tell the truth, do the work, and deliver results instead of more [bulls**t].”
FL CD 9's History Of Party Swings
Butler is aiming to unseat 9-year incumbent Congressman Darren Soto (D-Fla.) in a congressional district that has not held a Republican representative since 2013.
Since its creation in Jan 1963, the district, although mostly represented by Democratic leadership, has also had a fair share of Republican representation.
From 1983 to 2007, Michael Bilirakis, father of Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), held the seat before being succeeded by his son.
Butler's Contentious Challenge to Face Rep. Soto
Before facing Rep. Soto in the General Election in November 2026, Butler must first face off against a long list of Republican challengers, including Colonel Thomas Chalifoux, Ret., Marcus Carter, Dan Green, Howard Steven Rance, Jorge Martinez, and Justin Story.
Butler’s odds to challenge Congressman Soto could be closer, as the ninth-generation Floridian has received prominent endorsements from both Congressman Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Rep. Kat Cammack.
The South Florida Water District Governing Board member is running on issues such as tackling the affordability crisis, securing the border, backing President Trump, and defending the Second Amendment.
The primary will be held on August 18th, 2026.
