PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Community Patriots, a conservative grassroots organization in the Tampa Bay area, endorsed James Judge in the Republican primary for Florida’s 12th Congressional District on Thursday.
The group, which in 2022 endorsed incumbent Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), decided to shift their support from the incumbent Republican, to the younger, more uniquely qualified opponent.
“James Judge is the right person to represent Republicans in Florida’s 12th Congressional District. He is a strong supporter of law enforcement and has demonstrated he will fight for conservative, Christian values,” said Jeff Hawks, founder of Community Patriots. “While we appreciate Gus’s service, he has been in public office for 25 years. It’s time for someone new. We feel James has his finger on the pulse of the critical issues facing Florida’s 12th Congressional District and the United States today, and that he is better qualified to represent the interests of conservatives in Washington.”
Community Patriots is an active conservative organization throughout the Tampa Bay area with more than 5,000 participants across Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas. The group meets regularly to discuss politics and supports the community by participating in neighborhood cleanup events, placing wreaths on the graves of fallen American veterans and hosting gun club meets and pastors round tables, in addition to other positive community activities.
Each year the organization also provides breakfast to Tampa Bay area law enforcement members during the Gasparilla pirate invasion and parade.
Judge thanked the organization for their support and for the vote of confidence in his campaign.
“I’m deeply appreciative to have the support of Community Patriots,” said Judge. “I’ve seen Community Patriots do amazing work for conservative causes here in Pasco County and in the Tampa Bay area, and I’m proud to have them on my side. Our elected officials must lead us back towards the fundamental Christian, conservative values upon which this nation was founded, instead of serving special interests and becoming entrenched with the establishment. That will be my focus in Washington.”
During redistricting in 2022, Judge ran for Congress in Florida’s 14th Congressional District. He won the primary election to become the Republican nominee and ran a strong campaign against Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL).
About James Judge:
James Judge, a Florida native, graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and served in the U.S. Coast Guard in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, he served in Kabul, Afghanistan as a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense from 2010 until 2011. He now owns Judge Public Relations, a Tampa-based public relations, marketing and consulting firm. Judge is married to his wife, Danielle, who is also a small business owner. The Judges live on a small ranch in Dade City, with their five dogs, three cats, chickens, cows, goats and horses. Judge is a proud member of the NRA, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. The Judges are also longtime, active members at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz.