Florida Governor Candidate Asks Trump to Back Statewide Housing Drive

Frank Russo, a non-party affiliated candidate for governor of Florida, published an open letter Monday calling on President Donald Trump to help mobilize the nation's home builders for a privately funded housing initiative spanning every one of Florida's 67 counties.

Russo, based in New Smyrna Beach, framed the appeal as a challenge to the president to convene America's construction industry around a coordinated push to deliver homes for working families statewide. The letter stops short of requesting federal dollars, emphasizing private-sector financing as the backbone of the proposed effort.

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The announcement positions Russo, who carries no major party affiliation, as a candidate centering his campaign on housing affordability — an issue that has climbed near the top of voter concerns in Florida amid years of rapid population growth, rising rents, and constrained inventory. Florida's 67-county geography spans densely populated urban corridors as well as rural communities that have historically struggled to attract residential development investment.

By addressing Trump directly in a public letter, Russo appears to be seeking both policy traction and broader media visibility for a campaign that faces the structural disadvantages common to independent bids for statewide office. Whether the overture generates a response from the White House or meaningful engagement from the building industry remains to be seen.

Continue reading at Real Estate for the full text of Russo's open letter and additional campaign details.