The Heartland’s Voice
I’m ready to put my experience to work for you and your family. I’m a former City Commissioner, Mall Manager, small business owner, husband and father of five. I know the weight of making payroll, the cost of groceries, and the value of a handshake in the Heartland.
Family First
Families today are working longer and harder to make ends meet. Our family is no different. My wife and I have called Lake Wales home for years, and we are raising our five children to value hard work, faith, and community. Lake Wales is home, but this campaign is about every family across Florida’s Heartland who feels ignored, squeezed, or talked down to by Washington.
When I look at my kids, I don't see 'demographics' or 'voter blocks.' I see the future of Florida. I’m running for Congress because I want them—and your children—to be able to afford a home here, to start a business here, and to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.
Business Leader with a Servant’s Heart
As the manager of Eagle Ridge Mall and a local restaurant owner, I live in the real world unlike many in DC. Under my leadership, Eagle Ridge Mall grew from 35 to 71 stores during a three-year revitalization project. That means bringing jobs back, working with business owners, negotiating with retailers, and proving that struggling local economies can be turned around with the right leadership.
I see the 'middle-class squeeze' every day. I see it when seniors are forced to choose between medication and groceries. I see it when our veterans return home only to be met with red tape instead of results.
I’ve been through the fire of local leadership. I’ve served as a Lake Wales City Commissioner and I’ve seen how 'dark money' and outsider interests try to drown out the voices of you and me. I’ve never been one to back down from a fight when the truth is on the line. As a former professional wrestler, I know how to stand my ground, take pressure, and fight for what’s right. Will you hold the line with me?
Why Now?
We are watching a movement happen across this country—from the shop floors of Texas to the groves, neighborhoods, and communities of Central Florida’s Heartland. Regular people are waking up to the fact that 'Safe Red' or 'Solid Blue' doesn't mean a thing if your representative isn't listening to you.
I’m offering Straight Talk and Real Solutions. I’m not going to Washington to represent lobbyists or party bosses; I’m going to represent you, Florida’s Heartland. It’s time you had a seat at the table again. You'll always be welcome at my table.
Fast Facts
Job: Mall Manager/ Restaurant Owner
Experience: Former City Commissioner
Family: 1 Wife, 5 Kids, 1 Mission
Focus: Property Insurance Stability, Veterans’ Healthcare Access, Property Tax Relief.
Are you ready for Straight Talk?
The pundits in Washington say the Heartland is already 'locked in.' They’ve said the same thing about races in Texas, Georgia, and Iowa until working men and women stepped up and proved them wrong.
If you’re ready for a representative who puts your family, your livelihood, and our veterans first over political theater, join us today.
Read my Pledge to You
I’m asking for your vote. I’m asking that you join me in my belief that our politics can work for us when we work together. Read my Pledge to the Heartland.
Curtis Gibson: For Homeowners. For Veterans. For Florida’s Heartland.
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Leader. Business Owner. Advocate for Florida’s Heartland.
Curtis Gibson is a lifelong Lake Wales resident who believes true leadership is not just about making policies. It is about signing paychecks, serving the community, and understanding the hustle of working families across Florida’s Heartland. From Lake Wales to the wider communities of Central Florida’s 18th District, Curtis has spent his life focused on service, accountability, and real-world results.
Executive & Business Leadership
Currently serving as the Property Manager for Eagle Ridge Mall, Curtis is leading the charge to revitalize the local economy by supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs. He is also a Small Business Owner himself, giving him a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing Florida’s business community.
At Eagle Ridge Mall, Curtis helped lead a three-year revitalization effort that grew the mall from 35 to 71 stores. That kind of turnaround did not happen by accident. It required working with business owners, attracting retailers, solving real operational problems, and rebuilding confidence in a local economic hub. His professional background is extensive and diverse, including roles as:
Property Manager, Eagle Ridge Mall
Small Business Owner
USPS Letter Carrier (Former)
Ramp PA Agent, Lakeland Linder International Airport
Public Service & Advocacy
Curtis has a long-standing record of civic engagement and municipal leadership. As a Former City Commissioner for Lake Wales, he championed transparency and smart growth. His commitment to public service is reflected in his numerous leadership roles:
Former City Commissioner, City of Lake Wales
Graduate, Political Leadership Institute (PLI) of Orlando
Former Member, Florida League of Cities Planning and Zoning Board
Former Member, Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials
Member, NAACP and MLK Association
Charter Member, Rotary on the Ridge
Education & Mentorship
A proud Lake Wales High School Graduate, Curtis has never forgotten where he came from. He believes in the power of education and mentorship to change lives, a belief he put into action as a Paraprofessional for the Polk County School Board. He has spent years on the sidelines as a Wrestling and Football Coach, teaching local youth the value of discipline, grit, and teamwork.
Service & Grit
Curtis’s path to leadership is built on hard work, discipline, and grit. As a Police Academy Graduate, former Professional Wrestler, and youth wrestling and football coach, he learned how to stand his ground, take pressure, and fight for what is right — both in and out of the ring.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.