Joe Strada, Richest New Member of Congress, Pledges to End Enrichment of Politicians in Power

EXCLUSIVE: Rep.-elect Joe Strada, R-Fla., poised to become the richest member of Congress, told Fox News Digital he plans to crack down on politicians who enrich themselves while holding public office when he takes office in January.

Strada, who rose from bowling mechanic to owner of a national HVAC company, is expected to become the richest member of Congress, according to Forbes. The new Republican argued that public service should be about serving Americans rather than accumulating personal wealth.

“We need to make sure we hold politicians accountable,” Strada told Fox News Digital. “No one, and I mean no one, should get rich in public office. We are here to serve the American people.”

The Democrats regained the majority in the House and the Senate as a blue wave swept across the country. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“If you want to get rich, stay in the private sector. I got into business to get rich, not for Washington, D.C. I’m going to Washington, D.C., to serve the American people,” he continued.

The congressman-elect said combating insider trading and political profiteering in Congress will be among his priorities as he prepares to leave the private sector for Capitol Hill.

Strada pointed to his own rise from blue-collar worker to successful businessman as proof that the American dream remains achievable, arguing that excessive government intervention has made it harder for others to follow a similar path.

“I started with nothing. I was a handyman at a bowling alley. If I can do it, other ordinary Americans can. The government needs to step up and help them succeed,” Strada said. “Giving people the opportunity to succeed and achieve their version of the American dream is very important, and now is the time to pave that path.”

“That’s what I plan to do in Washington, DC: give every American the opportunity they need to succeed, thrive, open a small business and start a career,” he added.

“I’m living proof,” Strada said, referring to his own success.

Rep.-elect Joe Strada, R-Fla., said he plans to crack down on politicians who enrich themselves while holding public office. (Fox News Digital)

The new Republican also warned that the growing popularity of democratic socialism and proposals to expand government programs could harm entrepreneurship, innovation and small business growth in the United States.

“I think it’s important to show people this opportunity. The ‘free this, free that’ arguments sound good, but we don’t want to suppress the American people. Rather, we want to show them that their goals and ambitions are achievable,” Strada said.

“It was achievable for me. I never went to college, the idea of ​​college wasn’t even in conversations with my parents. Going to college for me was unachievable,” he added.

Strada said his early professional experiences taught him the importance of discipline and perseverance, values ​​he believes should be emphasized to younger generations.

“I knew I had to work and I worked hard,” Strada said, adding that young Americans could benefit from a greater emphasis on work ethic. “I think if we can instill that in young people today, they would be better off.”

The congressman-elect also identified housing affordability as a major barrier preventing Americans from achieving financial independence, pledging to continue federal deregulation, lower costs of building materials and workforce development initiatives to make homeownership more accessible.

“The cost of housing is ridiculous. I have so many examples of ways we can still build a high-quality home for much less money, and more Americans could realize their dream of owning a home,” Strada said.

The United States Capitol is pictured in Washington, DC on January 7, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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As he prepares to take office in January, Strada said he hopes to secure a seat on the House Appropriations Committee, where he believes his business experience will allow him to “better serve the American people.”