Curtis Gibson

Curtis Gibson is the Democratic nominee challenging incumbent Scott Franklin in the 18th District; his primary was canceled. He served on the Lake Wales City Commission and now works as a commercial property manager, after a series of working jobs. He describes himself as a working-class voice and not a career politician.[1]

Gibson graduated from Lake Wales High School, earned an associate degree from Bryant & Stratton College in 2017, and received a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary business studies from Kaiser University in 2021.[1] He describes his past jobs as school board janitor, U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, Amazon Air employee and professional wrestler.[1] He served as a Lake Wales City Commissioner from 2017 to 2021.[1]

Gibson works as a commercial property and mall manager, according to his survey responses, which cite experience in local business growth and lease negotiations.[1] He says he lives in Polk County with his wife, Danielle, their five children and a foster child.[1] He advanced to the general election without a primary after the August 18, 2026 Democratic primary was canceled.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.