James Pericola

Pericola says he was raised in Central Florida in a working-class family and is the first in his family to attend college and law school; he graduated from Spruce Creek High School.[2][3] He earned a bachelor's degree in 1997 and a law degree in 2005 from the Catholic University of America.[2]

Pericola began his career working for U.S. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida as a special assistant, traveling the state with him, according to his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey; his campaign website describes the role as staff assistant.[2][3] He served in the Clinton administration as a presidential appointee, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, according to his campaign website.[3] He describes more than 30 years in public service as a congressional staff member, attorney and senior government affairs executive who advised companies, local governments, labor organizations, trade associations and nonprofits.[3][2]

Pericola says he moved home to Central Florida to care for his aging mother, an experience he cites as shaping his focus on healthcare costs.[2][3] He won the August 18, 2026 Democratic primary for Florida's 11th District with 46.3% of the vote, defeating Royal Webster and Dan Williams.[2] During the campaign, he said he was running on lowering costs, protecting Social Security, Medicare and healthcare, and democracy issues.[2][3] He received 46% of the vote to Joe Strada's 52.9%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1] According to his campaign website, he is a husband and father.[3]