Sheriff, surfer, tennis player, and occasional skydiver currently serving Northeast Florida as U.S. Representative for FL's 5th Congressional District.
Proud husband, father, and grandfather of six. Serving the 4th District of Northeast Florida. Former Jacksonville Sheriff focused on keeping communities safe & protecting your rights. This page is managed by the staff of Congressman Rutherford.
06/02/2026
🌀 Florida’s hurricane season is here!🌀
First step of being prepared is making a plan!
Visit https://rutherford.house.gov/issues/hurricane-preparedness for more information & hurricane preparedness tips.
05/31/2026
One of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is nominating talented young men and women from Northeast Florida to attend America’s military service academies.
Calling high school students in Florida's Fifth District interested in serving our country to apply now! Applications close September 30, 2026.
U.S. Service Academy Nominations Amongst the Ivy Leagues in terms of educational quality, and rigor. United States Service Academies offer a tuition free, fully paid for education with a guaranteed job after graduation. You can expect to Fly, Sail, Compute, Engineer, Protect, Teach, and more for as a potential career path.
05/27/2026
I was proud to join Gold Star families at the Jacksonville National Cemetery Remembrance on Saturday morning to honor our nation’s brave servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep the air we breathe free.
I was also proud to be part of the St. Johns County Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday. It was an honor to personally thank two Gold Star moms, Krista Joseph and Joy Plant, for the service and sacrifice of their sons, Charlie Keating and Seth Plant. May we all live the rest of our lives worthy of their sacrifice. 🇺🇸
05/25/2026
On this Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.
05/22/2026
As many of you know, this morning was supposed to be the opening day of the 2026 recreational South Atlantic red snapper season. I, along with many anglers, was excited to see red snapper fishing once again off of our coast, especially after years of fighting for more days.
Unfortunately, yesterday the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia halted activities under the exempted fishing permits (EFPs) that authorized the 2026 state recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic. The EFPs for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are no longer in effect until further order from the Court, and the recreational harvest of red snapper in the South Atlantic remains closed.
I stand with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Lutnik against this delay tactic.
We are not giving up on this year’s 39-day season. I hope to see this resolved quickly.
NOAA Fisheries Update: Effective Immediately, No Recreational Red Snapper Fishing is Authorized Under the South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits - South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing in Federal Waters Remains Closed FB26-025: Southeast Fishery Bulletin
05/21/2026
Having more federal law enforcement officers in the air and in our airports makes air travel safer for all Americans, as does promoting efficient security protocols.
That’s why I introduced the bipartisan FAST Act with Rep. Cuellar to support our law enforcement officers by providing them with access to safe, efficient air travel.
Learn more 👇
https://rutherford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rutherford-cuellar-introduce-bipartisan-fast-act
05/19/2026
PASSED the House!
This year’s MilCon-VA bill invests in veteran care, improves quality-of-life for military families, and strengthens our critical infrastructure to support base readiness in Northeast Florida and nationwide.
Promises made and promises kept 🇺🇸
05/19/2026
Thank you to our many brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much to keep the air we breathe free. This Military Appreciation Month, we salute and thank you.
This National Police Week is dedicated to the brave men and women of law enforcement who have fallen in the line of duty. As a lifelong law enforcement officer and a former sheriff, this day is both reflective and somber for me, my colleagues, and our law enforcement communities nationwide.
Our officers stand as a shield between the vulnerable they vow to protect and those intent on doing them harm. Today and every day, may we live our lives worthy of their sacrifice.
05/11/2026
Thank you, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for your unwavering support for American families, especially new and expecting mothers, and for helping provide them with the guidance and information they need to help lead healthy, prosperous lives.
Trump Administration Launches Moms.Gov for New and Expecting Mothers On Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched Moms.gov, a groundbreaking website for new and expecting mothers.