Flagler Beach City Commissioner R.J. Santore III, a fourth-generation pyrotechnician and Vice President of his family’s pyrotechnics manufacturing business, announced his endorsement of Charles Gambaro for the Republican nomination in Florida’s 6th Congressional District on May 11, 2026.
Santore said the race prompted him to speak up in a way he does not typically do. “I generally keep my focus on the work in front of me here at home, but this race is one I felt I needed to weigh in on,” Santore said. He pointed to his personal knowledge of Gambaro through shared community ties as part of his reasoning. “Charlie is a man I know from our parish and from the Knights of Columbus, and his wife is deeply involved with our youth ministry. That is the measure of a family that shows up for the people around them.”
Santore also highlighted Gambaro’s military and elected service records. “Charlie has spent more than twenty-six years in uniform, has led American soldiers in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and rose to Brigadier General,” Santore said. “He has served on the Palm Coast City Council, where he has done the unglamorous work of reading the agenda packets and asking the hard questions. He sits in the room with the people he represents and answers to his neighbors face-to-face. That matters.”
On policy, Santore said Gambaro’s focus on coastal issues was a key factor. “Charlie is approachable, responsive, and prepared. His commitment to protecting our beaches, investing in critical infrastructure, and building real coastal resiliency makes him the right choice to represent us in Congress. I am proud to endorse him.”
Gambaro responded by connecting the endorsement to his campaign’s core themes. “It is an honor to receive the support of a proven community leader,” Gambaro said. “R.J.’s support is a big deal for our campaign, and together we will continue to fight for protecting and improving our beaches, investing in critical infrastructure projects, and placing our fellow residents first.”
Florida’s 6th Congressional District includes portions of Flagler, Volusia, and St. Johns counties. More information about Gambaro’s campaign is available at www.VoteForGambaro.com.
The post Flagler Beach Commissioner Endorses Gambaro for Congress, Citing Combat Record and Local Service first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
