Petition to Congressman John Rutherford: Hold a Public Town Hall Now!

The residents of Florida’s 5th Congressional District demand that Congressman John Rutherford hold an in-person public town hall immediately. As an elected representative, it is his duty to meet with the people he serves, listen to their concerns, and provide direct, unfiltered answers about the issues impacting both the community and the nation.

For too long, Rutherford has avoided public town halls, leaving constituents unheard and ignored. With the next legislative session approaching, an open, unscripted forum is necessary—no pre-screened questions, no scripted talking points, no controlled narratives. Just real conversation in a public setting.

🔹 Accountability: Elected officials are responsible for meeting with the people they represent, not hiding behind carefully curated statements and selective meetings.

🔹 Transparency: Open discussions on critical issues—education, healthcare, Social Security, economic policies, and job losses in the district due to harmful federal decisions—are long overdue.

🔹 Accessibility: Constituents deserve a direct opportunity to engage with their representative. Emails and private meetings are not a substitute for public accountability.

🔹 Real-Life Consequences: People in this district are losing their jobs, losing benefits, and struggling to afford basic necessities. Rising costs, stagnant wages, and reckless policies are pushing families to the brink. Social Security and Medicare are under attack. Public schools are underfunded. Housing is unaffordable. Meanwhile, those in power REMAIN SILENT.

Elected officials work for the people. A public town hall is the bare minimum for true representation—not just for those with direct access to an office, but for everyone in the district.

Rutherford must schedule and publicly announce a town hall before returning to Washington to allow for meaningful engagement with his constituents. Clearing space on the calendar to listen to the very people who entrusted him with this position should not be an afterthought—it is an obligation.

The residents of Florida’s 5th Congressional District are watching, waiting, and demanding to be heard.

Signed,
The Constituents of Florida’s 5th Congressional District