Spence blasts Steube’s “failed leadership” as measles cases rise in Southwest Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEB. 11, 2026

TravelBug Health/CDC/March 18, 2025

SARASOTA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2026) — With measles spreading across Southwest Florida, congressional candidate Allen Spence says failed leadership and anti-vaccine policies in Washington are endangering local families and threatening public health.

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE ALLEN SPENCE: With more than 57 confirmed measles cases across Southwest Florida, families from Pinellas to Collier are seeing the consequences of failed leadership in Washington.

When Health Secretary R.F.K., Jr., undermines confidence in vaccines and Rep. Steube pushes policies that weaken public health protections, preventable outbreaks become more likely. Measles is highly contagious and poses serious risks. Yet, our state officials can’t even report cases in a timely fashion. Protecting our children and families should always be our number one priority.

I appreciate School Board Member Liz Barker for sharing accurate information and helping keep families informed. Local leaders are stepping up, but they should not have to compensate for dangerous federal policies.

As a husband and father, I believe protecting student health and community safety is a basic responsibility. Southwest Florida deserves leadership that listens to doctors, supports prevention and puts families first — not the deadly whims of our degenerate Health Secretary.

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