Democratic congressional candidate Bernard Taylor, an EMT/paramedic, reported raising just under $563,000 during the second quarter of 2025 for his campaign to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast in Florida's 21st Congressional District. The fundraising haul came from more than 25,000 individual donations that averaged $22 each between April 1 and June 30. Taylor's campaign emphasized that it declined all corporate PAC money and special-interest donations, with more than 93 percent of contributions coming through mobile devices and approximately 41 percent processed through the digital fundraising platform ActBlue.
Taylor, a fourth-generation Floridian, said the fundraising results demonstrate support from working families, retirees, veterans, teachers, and first responders rather than wealthy interests. "I'm humbled by the incredible support we've received from thousands of people who believe it's time for new leadership in Washington," Taylor stated. "These contributions are coming from working families, retirees, veterans, teachers, first responders, and neighbors who want a representative who understands their challenges and will fight for them every day." His campaign platform prioritizes affordable healthcare access, educational investment, job creation, housing affordability, environmental protection, and representing constituents over political insiders. Taylor said his background in emergency medical services has shown him the real-world consequences of rising healthcare costs and limited options facing families across the district.
The coastal district stretches from Royal Palm Lake in Palm Beach County north through Martin and St. Lucie counties. About 57.5 percent of voters in the district voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 under new congressional map boundaries that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-dominated Legislature approved in April. Taylor faces a primary opponent in U.S. Coast Guard veteran James Martin, who entered the second quarter with nearly $307,000 raised. Taylor had raised only $32,500 before this quarter after filing for the race in April 2025, according to Federal Election Commission records. "We are grateful for what we accomplished in Q2, and we are looking forward to an even stronger Q3," Taylor said.
Republican incumbent Mast entered April with more than $2.5 million in cash on hand. Other candidates running in the race include independent Alexander Cooke and write-in candidate David Fabrikant.