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Laurel Lee

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Laurel Lee

Image of Laurel Lee

Candidate, U.S. House Florida District 15

U.S. House Florida District 15

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Prior offices

Florida 13th Circuit Court

Florida Secretary of State

Compensation

Elections and appointments

Education

Contact

Laurel Lee (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Florida's 15th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 3, 2027.

Lee (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 15th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]

Biography

Laurel Lee earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida. Lee's career experience includes working as an attorney with Carlton Fields, P.A., an assistant federal public defender and assistant U.S. attorney with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and a law clerk to James S. Moody on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.[1][2] Lee resigned on May 16, 2022.

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023

The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, at which point Republicans held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-212), and Democrats held the majority in the U.S. Senate (51-49). Joe Biden (D) was the president and Kamala Harris (D) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023
Vote Bill and description Status
Yes check.svg Yea
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 22, 2023, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2024. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.[3]

Yes check.svg Passed (310-118)
Yes check.svg Yea
To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes. 

H.R. 185 (To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes.) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to nullify a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order restricting the entry of foreign citizens to the United States unless the individual was vaccinated against the coronavirus or attested they would take public health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[4]

Yes check.svg Passed (227-201)
Yes check.svg Yea
Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 

The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to raise the federal debt limit before a June 5, 2023, deadline. The bill also sought to repeal certain green energy tax credits, increase domestic natural gas and oil production, expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and nullify President Joe Biden's (D) proposed student loan debt cancellation program. This bill was not taken up in the Senate, and the debt limit was instead raised through the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[5]

Yes check.svg Passed (217-215)
Yes check.svg Yea
Denouncing the horrors of socialism. 

H.Con.Res. 9 (Denouncing the horrors of socialism.) was a resolution approved by the House of Representatives denouncing socialism and opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[6]

Yes check.svg Passed (328-86)
Yes check.svg Yea
Lower Energy Costs Act 

The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to increase domestic energy production and exports by increasing the production of oil, natural gas, and coal, reducing permitting restrictions for pipelines, refineries, and other energy projects, and increase the production of minerals used in electronics, among other energy production-related policies. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[7]

Yes check.svg Passed (225-204)
Yes check.svg Yea
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights". 

H.J.Res. 30 (Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and vetoed by President Joe Biden (D) on March 20, 2023. This was Biden's first veto of his presidency. The resolution sought to nullify a Department of Labor rule that amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow retirement plans to consider certain environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in investment-related decisions. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[8] Click here to read more.

Yes check.svg Passed (219-200)
Yes check.svg Yea
Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020. 

H.J.Res. 7 (Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on April 10, 2023. The resolution ended the national coronavirus state of emergency, which began on March 13, 2020. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[9] Click here to read more.

Yes check.svg Passed (229-197)
Yes check.svg Yea
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 3, 2023. The bill raised the federal debt limit until January 2025. The bill also capped non-defense spending in fiscal year 2024, rescinded unspent coronavirus relief funding, rescinded some Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding, enhanced work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF), simplified environmental reviews for energy projects, and ended the student loan debt repayment pause in August 2023. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.[10] Click here to read more.

Yes check.svg Passed (314-117)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)
Speaker of the House election (January 2023) - 15th vote 

In January 2023, the House of Representatives held its regular election for Speaker of the House at the start of the 118th Congress. Voting began on January 3, and ended on January 7. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was elected speaker of the House in a 216-212 vote during the 15th round of voting. In order to elect a Speaker of the House, a majority of votes cast for a person by name was required.[11] Click here to read more.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) (216-212)
Red x.svg Nay
Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant. 

H.Res. 757 (Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position as Speaker of the House. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[12] Click here to read more.

Yes check.svg Passed (216-210)
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.)
Speaker of the House election (October 2023) - 4th vote 

In October 2023, following Rep. Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) removal as Speaker of the House, the House of Representatives held another election for the position. Voting began on October 17 and ended on October 25. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected Speaker of the House in a 220-209 vote in the fourth round of voting. In order to elect a Speaker of the House, a majority of votes cast for a person by name was required.[13] Click here to read more.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) (220-209)
Yes check.svg Yea
Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes. 

H.Res. 918 (Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that formally authorized an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden (D). The inquiry focused on allegations that Biden used his influence as vice president from 2009 to 2017 to improperly profit from his son Hunter Biden's business dealings. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[14] Click here to read more.

Yes check.svg Passed (221-212)
Red x.svg Nay
Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives. 

H.Res. 878 (Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that removed Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from office following a House Ethics Committee investigation that determined there was substantial evidence that Santos violated the law during his 2020 and 2022 campaigns. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.[15]

Yes check.svg Passed (311-114)

Elections

2026

See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2024

Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Republican primary)

Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 20 Democratic primary)

General election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Pat Kemp advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 15.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Lee received the following endorsements.

Pledges

Lee signed the following pledges.

  • Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Americans for Tax Reform

2022

See also: Florida's 15th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2014

See also: Florida judicial elections, 2014

Lee ran for re-election to the Thirteenth Circuit Court. As an unopposed candidate, she was automatically re-elected without appearing on the ballot.[16] 

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Laurel Lee has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Laurel Lee, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2024

Laurel Lee did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Laurel Lee did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Lee's campaign website stated the following:

“

Economy

Because of the Biden Administration, we are facing historic inflation and skyrocketing gas prices that are crippling hardworking Americans. Laurel will fight for policies to get the economy back on track and put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, like cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes, balancing the budget, and reviving the Keystone Pipeline.

Laurel will fight to reverse the failed, left-wing Biden Agenda in Congress, so we can grow our economy, fight inflation, secure America and make us energy independent again.


Law Enforcement

Laurel is a former judge and prosecutor who is a strong supporter of law enforcement and will stand up to the radical liberals who want to defund the police.

As a former federal prosecutor, she has seen firsthand the vital role police play in our criminal justice system. They are a critical piece to a law-abiding society, and she believes we must do everything we can to support our law enforcement officers and fully fund law enforcement to keep our streets and communities safe.


Second Amendment

Laurel is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. She will always fight to protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners from radical gun control liberals.


Families

Laurel is pro-life and pro-family. She believes so many of the problems we face as a country are due to the breakdown of families and a federal government that is hostile to religious liberty.


Immigration

Laurel believes we have an illegal immigration crisis at the southern border. She supports finishing the Trump Border Wall and deporting illegal immigrants who enter the country unlawfully, and she supports the border patrol agents who are under attack by the radical left.


Elections

Laurel is the former Florida Secretary of State, appointed by Governor DeSantis, where she worked to strengthen Florida’s election integrity and cyber security and increase voter registration and participation to ensure that Florida has free and fair elections.[17]

”
—Laurel Lee's campaign website (2022)[18]

Campaign finance summary

Ballotpedia LogoNote: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

See also

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2023-2024

Lee was assigned to the following committees:[Source]

External links

  • Search Google News for this topic

    • Footnotes

    1. ↑ 13th Judicial Circuit Court, "Laurel M. Lee," accessed November 27, 2014
    2. ↑ Office of the Governor, "Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Judge Laurel M. Lee as Florida Secretary of State," January 28, 2019
    3. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024," accessed February 23, 2024
    4. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.185 - To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes." accessed February 23, 2024
    5. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
    6. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Con.Res.9 - Denouncing the horrors of socialism." accessed February 23, 2024
    7. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - Lower Energy Costs Act," accessed February 23, 2024
    8. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.30 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to 'Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights'." accessed February 23, 2024
    9. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020." accessed February 23, 2024
    10. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
    11. ↑ Congress.gov, "Roll Call 20," accessed February 23, 2024
    12. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.," accessed February 23, 2024
    13. ↑ Congress.gov, "Roll Call 527," accessed February 23, 2024
    14. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant." accessed February 23, 2024
    15. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.Res.878 - Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives." accessed February 23, 2024
    16. ↑ Florida Secretary of State, “Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election,” accessed May 5, 2014
    17. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    18. ↑ Vote for Laurel Lee, “The Issues,” accessed August 22, 2022

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