Neal Dunn
Official portrait, 2017
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded by Gwen Graham (redistricted)
Personal details
Born Neal Patrick Dunn
(1953-02-16) February 16, 1953 (age 73)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Party Republican
Spouse
Leah Dunn
​
(m. 1987)​
Children 3
Education Washington and Lee University (BS)
George Washington University (MD)
Website House website
Campaign website
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service 1979–1990
Rank Major
Unit Army Medical Corps

Neal Patrick Dunn (born February 16, 1953) is an American surgeon and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 2nd congressional district since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Dunn is a medical doctor who served in the United States Army for eleven years, reaching the rank of major.

On January 13, 2026, Dunn announced he would not seek re-election in 2026. It was later revealed on March 16, 2026 that this was likely due to a terminal illness, with President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson publicly confirming that he has a terminal heart condition and would have likely passed away by June of 2026 if he hadn't had emergency surgery that gave him a fresh start.[1]

Early life and career

Dunn was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 16, 1953.[2][3] He earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary sciences from Washington and Lee University, and a Doctor of Medicine from the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. He completed his medical internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dunn served in the United States Army for 11 years of active duty, reaching the rank of major.[4] He then settled in Panama City, Florida, where he helped found the Panama City Urological Center and the Panama City Surgery Center, and was the founding chairman of Summit Bank.[5]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2016

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 2

In August 2015, Dunn announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 2nd congressional district in the 2016 elections. The district's one-term incumbent, Democrat Gwen Graham, opted to retire after court-ordered redistricting made the district heavily Republican.[5][6][7] He won the Republican nomination, narrowly defeating attorneys Mary Thomas and Ken Sukhia,[8] and defeated Walter Dartland in the general election.[9] He was sworn in on January 3, 2017.[10]

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 2

In 2018, Dunn won reelection against challenger Bob Rackleff, 67.4% to 32.6%.[11]

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 2

Constituents voiced frustration with Dunn for his refusal to host town halls.[12] Dunn held multiple virtual town hall meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.[13]

Dunn was reelected in 2020 with 97.9% of the vote. He had no primary election or official general election opponents.[14]

2022

See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 2

In 2022, Dunn defeated U.S. Representative Al Lawson with 59.8% of the vote.[15] The boundaries of the district had been redrawn as determined by the 2020 Florida redistricting cycle.

2024

Dunn won re-election to a fifth term with 61.64% of the vote against Yen Bailey.[16]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[17]

  • Committee on Energy and Commerce
    • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
    • Subcommittee on Health
    • Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce
  • Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party

Caucus memberships

  • House Border Security Caucus
  • Conservative Climate Caucus
  • Wildfire Caucus
  • Congressional French Caucus
  • House Army Caucus
  • Friends of Belgium Caucus
  • Bulgaria Caucus
  • Congressional Wine Caucus
  • Healthcare Innovation Caucus[18]
  • Republican Study Committee[19]

Political positions

Dunn's campaign website identifies him as conservative.

Gun policy

He opposes a ban on semi-automatic weapons.[20] From 2015 to 2016, Dunn accepted $1,000 from the NRA-PVF.[21]

Net neutrality

Along with 107 Republican members of Congress, Dunn sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on December 13, 2017, supporting his plan to repeal net neutrality protections ahead of the commission's vote.[22] Dunn accepted $18,500 from the telecom industry before voting to repeal the rule.[23]

Tax reform

Dunn voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017,[24] calling the bill "good medicine for America".[25] He believes it will benefit many generations of Americans with a "great economy in which there will be jobs, there will be opportunity, there's possibilities for literally a whole new generation or two of Americans". Dunn says he has received support from "mostly small businessmen" in his district for supporting the bill.[26]

Education

Dunn supports defunding the Department of Education.[27]

Healthcare

Dunn supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, which he says is "failing", saying "no one can afford" the premiums and deductibles.[28]

2021 storming of the Capitol

After the 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol, Dunn condemned the rioters, but still voted to object to the certification of several states' electoral votes.[29][30]

Israel

Dunn voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel.[31][32]

Veterans

Dunn voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service.[33]

Personal life

Dunn and his wife, Leah, have three sons and three grandsons.[7] He announced on January 13, 2026, that he would retire from Congress rather than seek another term in 2026. It was reported the following month that the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson told Republican donors that Dunn might have been terminally ill.[34][35] On March 16, 2026, during a broadcast board meeting of the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump shared private details of Dunn's condition, which he revealed was a heart problem. President Trump disclosed that because he needed his vote, the White House Medical Unit had gone to see Dunn and that "he was on the operating table, like, two hours later."[36] Trump also disclosed that Dunn "would be dead by June," to which Johnson responded, "Okay, that wasn't public."[37]

Electoral history

Florida 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary, 2016[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn 33,886 41.4
Republican Mary Thomas 32,178 39.3
Republican Ken Sukhia 15,826 19.3
Total votes 81,890 100.0
Florida 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2016[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn 231,163 67.3
Democratic Walter Dartland 102,801 29.9
Libertarian Rob Lapham 9,395 2.7
Write-in votes Antoine Edward Roberts 3 0.1
Total votes 343,362 100.0
Florida 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2018[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn (incumbent) 199,335 67.4
Democratic Bob Rackleff 96,233 32.6
Total votes 295,568 100.0
Florida 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2020[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn (incumbent) 305,337 97.9
Write-in votes Kim O'Connor 6,662 2.1
Total votes 311,999 100.0
Florida 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2022[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn (incumbent) 180,236 59.8
Democratic Alfred Lawson (incumbent) 121,153 40.2
Total votes 301,389 100.0
Florida 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary, 2024[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn (incumbent) 69,113 82.7
Republican Rhonda Woodward 14,456 17.3
Total votes 83,569 100.0
Florida 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2024[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Dunn (incumbent) 247,685 61.7
Democratic Yen Bailey 154,010 38.3
Total votes 401,695 100.0

See also

  • Physicians in the United States Congress

References

  1. ^ Ogles, Jacob (February 27, 2026). "Report: Mike Johnson tells GOP donors that Neal Dunn may be terminally ill". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  2. ^ "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov.
  3. ^ "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). Roll Call. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  4. ^ McMullian, Bo (January 14, 2016). "Jackson County Times - "Conservative for Congress" Neal Dunn visits Marianna". Jackson County Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Burlew, Jeff (August 10, 2015). "Panama City surgeon Dunn announces run for Congress". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  6. ^ Garman, Valerie (August 7, 2015). "Neal Dunn announces candidacy for Congress". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Bennett, Lanetra. "Neal Dunn Announces Candidacy for Florida Congressional District 2". WCTV-TV. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  8. ^ "Dunn wins GOP CD2, Democratic race too close to call". Tallahassee Democrat. August 30, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  9. ^ "Lawson and Dunn head to Washington". Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  10. ^ LAKANA (January 3, 2017). "Rep. Neal Dunn sworn in to 115th Congress". Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  11. ^ "Florida Election Results 2018: Midterm Results & Polls". NBC News. December 21, 2018.
  12. ^ Mueller, Sarah. "Rep. Dunn Frustrates Constituents By Not Holding Town Hall". Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  13. ^ "Dunn shuns citizens calling for town hall". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  14. ^ "Republican Neal Dunn re-elected in US House District 2 race". November 4, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "2022 General Election". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "2024 General Election". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  17. ^ "Neal P. Dunn". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  18. ^ "Caucus List". Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  19. ^ "Member List". Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  20. ^ Henderson, John (February 22, 2018). "Bay residents, leaders split on gun 'common sense'". Panama City News Herald. Panama City, Florida. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  21. ^ Grinberg, Emanuella (February 21, 2018). "These Florida lawmakers accepted money from the National Rifle Association". CNN. Atlanta. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  22. ^ "Letter to FCC Chairman Pai" (PDF). December 13, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  23. ^ "Here's a List of the Members of Congress Who Just Told Ajit Pai to Repeal Net Neutrality". Motherboard. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  24. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  25. ^ Milbank, Dana (December 21, 2017). "Dana Milbank: Republicans have their own Obamacare now". stltoday.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  26. ^ Holton, Jennifer (December 20, 2017). "Rep. Dunn on GOP tax reform victory: Win for "generations"". WJHG. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  27. ^ Call, James. "GOP 2nd District candidates tout conservative credentials". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  28. ^ "Florida Voices React to Senate Proposal to Repeal and Replace Obamacare". Sunshine State News | Florida Political News. June 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  29. ^ Call, James. "Congressman and Trump loyalist Neal Dunn will back Electoral College challenge". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  30. ^ Cobb, Nathan. "Congressman Neal Dunn condemns Capitol violence, still contests Electoral College results". News Herald. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  31. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  32. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Derby, Kevin (June 9, 2022). "Marco Rubio, Brian Mast Help Shape Burn Pit Legislation". Florida Daily. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  34. ^ Call, James. "North Fla. Congressman Neal Dunn may have 'terminal diagnosis': report". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  35. ^ Ogles, Jacob (February 27, 2026). "Report: Mike Johnson tells GOP donors that Neal Dunn may be terminally ill". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  36. ^ Gancarski, A. G. (March 16, 2026). "Donald Trump's doctors give Neal Dunn 'new lease on life' after Congressman had months to live". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  37. ^ Griffing, Alex (March 16, 2026). "'Dead by June': Trump Drags Mike Johnson Into Bonkers Tangent About Congressman's Grim Health Diagnosis". Mediaite. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  38. ^ "Primary Election Republican Primary". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  39. ^ "2016 General Election". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  40. ^ "2018 General Election". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  41. ^ "2020 General Election". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  42. ^ "2024 Republican Primary Election". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved November 25, 2024.