TAMPA, Fla. — A familiar box office name could soon be in the ballot box in Florida during next year’s midterm elections.

U.S. Army veteran John Wick — yes that’s his real name — has launched a campaign for Congress in Florida’s 14th District.

“John Wick is my name, my dad’s name, my grandfather’s name. So, we were the first ones to do it,’ Wick noted in his first TV Interview with 10 Tampa Bay.

“I have two dogs myself. I’m a great person, but don’t hurt my dogs,” he later joked.

Since the first movie of the wildly popular action franchise came out more than 10 years ago, Wick has heard all the jokes, though he hopes his name doesn’t distract from a campaign he’s serious about.   

“I want to make sure that we focus on the true issues that affect everyday Americans and folks in Tampa,” Wick added.

Among his top policy priorities, Wick highlighted wanting to focus on infrastructure and transportation improvements, addressing cost-of-living concerns, and supporting veterans.

“This district, I think the average age is right around 38-40, 65% are families. You know, I’m a young father. I have a two-year-old daughter. So I think I relate to a lot of people in the district, and I think that should be in politics. You know, the title is representative,” Wick said. 

The West Point graduate and political newcomer is vying for the Republican nomination in the district that includes a bulk of Tampa and St. Petersburg.

It’s a high hurdle for whoever may win the GOP primary and gain the opportunity to likely face off with Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Tampa), a stalwart for Florida Congressional Democrats who’s held her seat since 2007.

The district is historically blue (D+15 in 2024), and the party that doesn’t hold the White House typically performs well in the midterms. Plus, constituents in the area recently joined Castor to voice concerns about federal cuts, spearheaded by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE effort.

“I think both sides want to see government spending, you know, be efficient and directed toward priorities that actually have an impact on day-to-day life,” said Wick, who generally supports the DOGE effort, but adds he wants to make sure cuts are done right.

As a VA patient himself, layoffs of local staff do raise some concerns.

“I know that some jobs were eliminated in the VA. I would definitely want to make sure that, you know, our veterans don’t miss the care that they need, “ said Wick, noting it’s the same care he’s benefitted from and wants to improve.

“I want to get involved because I want to make sure the American dream is maintained and accessible to everybody,” Wick added.

Wick is one of three Republicans to file with the state to run in the 14th Congressional District. One of the others is Navy veteran Robert “Rocky” Rochford, who lost the general election to Castor in 2024.