The MeidasTouch Podcast: James Martin Makes Run to Flip Florida House Seat Blue

Date: November 26, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode features James Martin, a fourth-generation Floridian and former Coast Guard officer, who is running as a Democrat to unseat MAGA Republican Brian Mast in Florida’s 21st Congressional District. The Meiselas brothers focus on the increasingly competitive political climate in Florida, Mast’s controversial record, and Martin’s platform of concrete, community-focused action.

Episode Overview

The MeidasTouch brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—discuss the surprising political shifts in Florida ahead of the 2026 congressional elections. Noticing cracks in the Republican stronghold, especially Donald Trump’s waning popularity, they introduce their guest, James Martin, as a candidate with impressive credentials who may help flip a key seat. The episode features lively banter, meaningful analysis, and a focused interview with Martin about Mast’s record, Coast Guard controversies, and urgent local issues.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Turning Tides in Florida Politics (04:42–08:00)

• The hosts note that Donald Trump’s approval has slipped significantly in Florida, polling 5–10% underwater even in “deep red” districts.
• Host Ben highlights local dissatisfaction with Brian Mast, referencing public backlash at Mast’s town hall in Jupiter, FL.
  • Quote (05:22, Ben): “[People] weren’t buying what he was selling. This extreme MAGA agenda that’s hurting the people in the 21st Congressional District.”
• The brothers mock Mast’s repeated culture-war talking points and critique his priorities as out of touch with local needs.

2. Brian Mast’s Controversial Record (05:30–08:18)

• Coverage of Mast’s efforts to “purge” the State Department and dismissing sensitive leaks as “not worth investigating.”
• Notable exchange highlighting Mast’s reluctance to investigate sensitive leaks:
  • Quote (06:53, Brian Mast): “I don’t think this rises to the level of an investigation… If they start deleting 30,000 emails off a personal server, well, then sure.”
  • Quote (07:26, Host): “You’re not investigating. What are you actually doing there other than trying to divide people?”

3. Meet James Martin—A New Type of Candidate (08:10–08:50)

• Ben introduces James Martin as a serious, service-oriented alternative: fourth-generation Floridian, Coast Guard vet, and former lieutenant commander.
• Martin expresses confidence that the district is ready for change:
  • Quote (08:18, James Martin): “Voters in the district are hungry for change… [Mast] is not delivering on concrete results for the folks in this district.”

4. On Real Border Policy & Airstrikes (08:56–11:17)

• Martin, a former Coast Guard cutter commander, critiques the Trump-Mast approach of illegal, extrajudicial airstrikes against suspected narco-traffickers.
  • Quote (09:52, James Martin): “Of course, they’re patently illegal, these extrajudicial airstrikes. Not only are they illegal, they’re not smart… You’re throwing out great intelligence… and these are expensive missiles we’re lobbing at these guys when we could be arresting them and getting value.”
• Martin explains that actual intel-gathering and enforcement are more effective and legal.

5. Controversy: Coast Guard’s Policy on Hate Symbols (12:03–14:29)

• Discussion around the Coast Guard’s brief move to reclassify symbols like the swastika, Confederate flag, and noose from “hate symbols” to merely “controversial.”
  • Quote (12:03, James Martin): “The policy did change… it was set to take effect December 15th… Any time you change a law or policy, there’s a reason. So what was the reason?”
• Martin shares concern about the policy’s impact on junior servicemembers, emphasizing short windows to report incidents as unacceptable:
  • Quote (13:25, James Martin): “If you’re on a six month patrol… and you just have to keep that [incident] to yourself… that’s no way to treat members of the Coast Guard.”

6. Martin’s Record & the Real Issues in the District (14:29–18:35)

• The hosts highlight Martin’s operational successes: overseeing seizure of 200+ tons of drugs, 450+ prosecutions, and numerous migrant interdictions.
• Martin details the core local issues that matter:
  • Affordability and Insurance Crisis: Skyrocketing home and property insurance rates.
  • Water Quality: Polluted Lake Okeechobee’s devastating effects on local economy and quality of life.
  • Healthcare Costs and Community Well-Being:
  • Quote (16:20, James Martin): “We have a major clean water crisis… the Indian River Lagoon is the most biodiverse in North America. That is the lifeblood of this place. If that doesn’t work, people’s property values go down…”
  • Martin criticizes Mast for “hollowing out” EPA enforcement even while branding himself as a clean water advocate.

7. Priorities, Accountability, and Closing Thoughts (18:35–19:39)

• The hosts and Martin skewer Mast’s (and the Trump regime’s) focus on culture war issues over basic economic and quality-of-life matters.
  • Quote (18:35, Host): “Can you talk about that versus all this kind of weird stuff?”
• Martin directs listeners to his campaign site: JamesMartinForFlorida.com

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• (08:18) James Martin on flipping the district:
  “Voters in the district are hungry for change… you see a concrete pattern of Brian Mast not voting for the interests of this district. Absolutely, we’ll flip this district blue.”
• (09:52) Martin on extrajudicial airstrikes:
  “They’re patently illegal… not smart… we’re throwing out great intelligence… these are expensive missiles we’re lobbing at these guys…”
• (12:03) Martin on Coast Guard policy change:
  “Anytime you change a law or policy, there is a reason. So what was the reason? How was it drafted in such a way that even approached downplaying hate symbols?”
• (16:20) Martin on local priorities:
  “Affordability… a major clean water crisis… the Indian River Lagoon… is the lifeblood of this district… Everything that Trump and Brian Mast is doing is making you either poorer or sicker.”
• (18:35) Host on priorities:
  “The American people… just want to be able to afford the turkey this year. Like, can you talk about that versus all this weird stuff?”

Important Segment Timestamps

• Florida political climate, Trump polling: 04:42–06:15
• Brian Mast’s controversial record: 05:30–08:18
• James Martin introduction & campaign launch: 08:10–08:56
• Martin on drug interdictions and airstrikes: 08:56–11:17
• Coast Guard hate symbols controversy: 12:03–14:29
• Local issues: Affordability, water, health: 14:29–18:35
• Campaign plug, closing remarks: 19:17–19:51

Where to Learn More

• James Martin’s campaign: jamesmartinforflorida.com
• MeidasTouch Substack & Podcast Archives: midasplus.com

Overall Tone:
The conversation is urgent, credible, and rooted in service—even as the hosts maintain their trademark brotherly banter and biting wit. Martin is measured, direct, and emphasizes data, experience, and values over empty partisanship.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving Florida political landscape, the future of congressional races in swing districts, and the real-world contrast between performative culture war politics and pragmatic, community-focused leadership.