Will these elections be ‘business as usual’ for a three-time incumbent?

Greg Steube is projected to coast to victory. But redistricting could work in Matt Montavon’s favor.

By Ramon Lopez

Original Air Date: October 15, 2026

Host: U.S. Rep. Greg Steube was elected and re-elected three times, largely ignoring his Democratic challengers. That behavior still holds for the Trump loyalist in this supposedly deeply red District 17, as his fourth election approaches. PollsMax gives Steube a 95.2% chance his strategy will succeed and that he will win by close to an eight-point margin. So what is Steube challenger Matt Montavon up to? WSLR News reporter Ramon Lopez has a close look—and at the effects of redistricting.

Ramon Lopez: He’s coming off a nine-day, 80-mile walkathon along the Tamiami Trail, covering Congressional District 17 south to north. And Democratic candidate Matthew Montavon hopes he won over the potential voters he met in his bid to unseat three-term U.S. Representative Greg Steube.

Montavon and supporters | Photo: Brenda Green

Montavon’s key policy positions include universal health care, affordable housing and immigration reform. Specifically, he supports expanding the Affordable Care Act, a Medicare-for-All system, and protection of Social Security.

Matt Montavon: I would just like to help to push solutions through in terms of social security and Medicare because we are facing a shortfall in funding for those. We have to look at raising the cap, finding another tax source. They’re essential for the seniors in our society, and we have to find a way to solve it.

I believe in universal healthcare programs. I don’t have the solution of how to get there. People say you’ve got to go through gradually—Medicare for All or some other pathway—but I think our healthcare system is broken and a lot of people are being cut out of the system.

RL: He also believes rich Americans need to pay more in taxes.

Walking the district, south to north: ‘Montavon Marathon’. | Photo: Ramon Lopez

MM: I do think that the tax code is unfair. The wealthy are getting tax breaks and tax cuts and not contributing to our society. We’ve seen the increase and accumulation of wealth for the top portion of the population at the same time that a good portion of the population is suffering, not being able to address their basic needs.

RL: Montavon says Trump’s immigration policy is broken.

MM: It’s absolutely abusive. It’s inhumane. It’s cruel. It’s not productive. It’s an absolutely stupid policy. They’re spending a hundred million dollars or more to trap people who have civil violations that are members of our society that have families—that have relatives who are American citizens—for what? Just to be cruel. You’re hurting our labor force. You’re hurting families personally with those actions. We can have a secure border, but you don’t have to be doing this absurd, cruel stuff.

Photo: Ramon Lopez

People who have been here for so many years, contributing to our society—give them a pathway to citizenship.

Most of this policy, I think, is driven by racism.

RL: With less than a month to the November 3 general election, Montavon needs momentum to overcome Steube’s wide lead. But Montavon is optimistic about his chances to unseat Steube.

Redistricting has significantly altered the district, shedding vast rural areas to now include a bigger chunk of coastal Lee County, particularly the urban core of Fort Myers. More diverse voter demographics and party representation in the district may show its effects in the upcoming election, the first since the lines were redrawn. And how Montavon does will show is crucial for assessing the impact of redistricting.

Montavon at Fogartyville

Meanwhile, the Democrats hope to take advantage of President Trump’s declining popularity to reclaim the House and Senate. Trump’s tanking approval rating is the result of deep frustration with his handling of the economy and rising prices. And he is suffering lagging enthusiasm from his Republican Party. 

As a result, GOP candidates once expected to glide to victory now face tougher races. Such may be the case for Steube, who does not meet with constituents. So far, he has not debated Montavon and is unlikely to verbally spar with his Democrat challenger before election day. Steube has failed to respond to repeated invitations from WSLR to discuss his re-election bid. And he did not respond to questions from this reporter before our deadline.

Regarding hot political topics, Montavon doesn’t care for data centers.

MM: Data center should be put on hold through a moratorium or blocked completely. They’re not suitable for the Florida environment.

RL: Regarding automatic license plate readers, Montavon said the technology must be controlled.

Greg Steube. The Trump loyalist has not appeared in any public candidate forums or debates.

MM: Something like that has to be seriously controlled. That data seems to be shared everywhere, and cops are using it to track down their girlfriends, and that’s the wrong thing to be doing.

RL: He opposes Florida’s Amendment 3 property tax referendum on the ballot in November. It would tie the hands of local governments and kill a lot of services valuable to the community, says Montavon.

Win or lose, Montavon has no regrets.

MM: It’s always been said that a Democrat can’t win this district, but I’m going to prove it wrong.

We can’t keep voting for the same people and expecting different results. We’re just going to keep getting the same garbage time after time. I think people are ready to make a change. We’ve seen that in some elections across the country.

I’m running like I could win, and I think it’s important to make a point even if I don’t win. Either way, I want to make a point: You’ve got to stand up with certain values and say that a voter has this option. That’s what I’m about—giving people that option. I think I could win. 

RL: On the campaign trail, this is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.

WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.