Yurina Gil is running for Congress in Florida District 26 because she escaped a dictatorship in Cuba and doesn’t want to see her adopted homeland fall prey to another. Her priorities are for Democrats to regain control of the House of Representatives, then begin to work to bringing stability back to Washington, DC. and affordability to her constituents by focusing on real policies that that improve the quality of life for all Americans. Here are 10 questions with the candidate. She hopped on The Jitney to answer ten questions.

Why are term limits so important to you?

Yurina Gil: Term limits are important to me because our government works best when public office remains centered on service rather than permanence. While experience and institutional knowledge matter, long periods in office can create systems where power becomes concentrated and elected officials become more focused on maintaining positions than responding to changing community needs. Fresh perspectives and new voices are essential for innovation and accountability. Term limits can help reduce the influence of entrenched political structures, encourage greater civic participation, and create more opportunities for diverse leaders and underrepresented communities to contribute to government. The goal is not to diminish experience, but to ensure our institutions remain responsive and dynamic.

What would you propose for Congress and judges?

For Congress, I would support a reasonable balance between continuity and renewal. Members need enough time to develop expertise and build effective coalitions, but there should also be opportunities for new leadership to emerge. I would support exploring constitutional approaches to term limits that preserve institutional effectiveness while preventing indefinite political entrenchment. I pledged to set a 3-term limit or 6 years for Congress and 2-term limit or 12 years for the Senate. Ultimately, I think the tenure for congress shouldn’t exceed 10 years. I also believe that implementing term limits does not mean losing valuable experience and institutional knowledge. Former members of Congress can continue contributing in a more passive or advisory roles—serving as mentors, policy advisors, or resources to newer members entering public service. Their experience and expertise can still provide value while allowing fresh leadership and new perspectives to take on active governing responsibilities.

For the Supreme Court, I support examining fixed terms rather than lifetime appointments.

Lifetime appointments were intended to protect judicial independence, but over time they have created a system where vacancies can become highly politicized and unpredictable. A more structured process could maintain judicial independence while creating consistency and public confidence. Any changes should be pursued carefully through proper constitutional and legal channels. The Constitution says federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, serve during “good Behavior,” which has traditionally been interpreted as life tenure. Because of that, many constitutional scholars argue that true term limits for Supreme Court justices would require a constitutional amendment.

However, some legal scholars and reform proposals argue there is another possible path: keeping lifetime judicial service intact but creating an “active service” period (for example, 18 years on the Supreme Court) followed by a senior-status role where the justice remains a federal judge but no longer serves as an active Supreme Court justice. Supporters argue Congress could potentially do this by statute, though it would almost certainly face constitutional challenges.

Why is the issue of affordability so important to you?

Affordability isn’t just an economic issue, it’s a daily struggle for families, seniors, and young people in Florida. High prices for housing, healthcare, groceries, and childcare are outlasting hard-earned wages. I am running for Congress to ensure that economic growth actually benefits everyday people.

My platform delivers real structural relief:

·       Proportional Housing Credits: Stop giving massive tax breaks to developers who only build a handful of affordable units. Federal tax credits must match the actual number of affordable homes produced.

·       Lowering Insurance Premiums: I champion a Carbon Responsibility Bill to force corporate polluters to pay for climate disaster insurance.

·       Driving Down Housing Costs: Mitigating climate risk will invite insurance companies back into Florida. More market competition means lower insurance premiums, directly reducing the total cost of keeping a roof over your head.

What are some of the ways you would provide relief for FL-26?

Providing relief for Florida’s 26th District means tackling the cost-of-living crisis from every angle. I am focused on practical solutions that improve everyday life, protect our environment, and ensure economic security.

My legislative priorities include:

·       Lowering Healthcare Costs: Reducing the price of healthcare and prescription drugs so families never have to choose between medicine and groceries.

·       Decentralizing the Supply Chain: Opening and expanding direct trade channels between the USA and Latin America. Increasing the variety and volume of imported products creates healthy competition, breaks up corporate chokeholds, and directly lowers prices for consumers.

·       Expanding Affordable Housing: Creating genuine housing options and supporting small businesses to drive local job growth.

·       Holding Polluters Accountable: Passing a Carbon Responsibility Bill so corporate polluters finance a climate disaster insurance fund and pay to rebuild communities hit by extreme weather. Everyday people should not foot the bill for a crisis created by corporations.

·       Investing in Resilient Infrastructure: Funding critical flood protections, resilience planning, and environmental safeguards. Financing these projects with corporate carbon fees will drastically lower regional risk, bringing insurance companies back to Florida and driving down home premiums.

Why is immigration reform such an important part of your campaign?

Immigration reform is deeply personal for me because I lived that experience. I came to the United States from Cuba at 18 years old without speaking English, working tirelessly to build a life through education, determination, and hard work. I know firsthand the immense opportunities America provides, but I also see the heartbreaking pain caused by our broken system. In Florida’s 26th District, immigration isn’t an abstract policy debate. It affects our families, neighbors, and local economies every single day. The broken system hits incredibly close to home for me. I have people in my immediate circle who have been deported to third-party countries, and others who are trapped in a terrifying legal limbo. Even my own sister has been deeply impacted by the ongoing freeze in immigration processes for Cubans, leaving our family waiting in painful uncertainty. Many families across our district live with this exact fear and these lengthy delays.

In Congress, I will fight for a system that is secure, fair, and humane. We must pass an amnesty program that grants legal status to long-term residents who have spent years contributing to our nation and are part of mixed-status families, including Dreamers. I will champion restoring the Cuban Adjustment Act to its full strength to give Cuban refugees a reliable, stable pathway to safety. Furthermore, we must provide a clear, earned pathway to citizenship for recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We can secure our borders while honoring our values, and I will be an unyielding voice for the families who have been left behind by decades of political gridlock.

What steps would you take to ensure Cubans, Venezuelans, and Haitians get a fair chance at U.S. citizenship?

I would support reforms that create efficient and fair pathways through the legal immigration system while reducing unnecessary delays and barriers. Many individuals seeking legal status wait years in complex systems that can create uncertainty and hardship for families. I would support preserving due process protections, reducing backlogs, keeping families together, and ensuring immigration decisions are applied fairly and consistently. Communities such as Cubans, Venezuelans, and Haitians have contributed significantly to Florida and the country as a whole, and immigration policy should recognize both our humanitarian responsibilities and the value of immigrant communities.

How would your background as a Cuban immigrant affect your approach to legislating?

My experience as a Cuban immigrant gives me a perspective rooted in resilience and opportunity. Starting over in a new country without speaking the language required determination and adaptation. Later becoming a CPA reinforced the value of hard work, education, and persistence.

That experience shapes my approach to public service because it reminds me that policies affect real people and real families. I understand what uncertainty feels like and how important opportunity can be. It also gives me a strong appreciation for democracy and for the responsibilities that come with public service.

How would your approach to Congressional control of war powers differ from the current FL-26 representative?

I believe Congress should actively exercise its constitutional responsibilities regarding war powers. Decisions involving military action should receive careful oversight, meaningful debate, and transparency. Military force should always be considered carefully because the consequences affect service members, families, national security, and global stability.

I would place strong emphasis on diplomacy, coalition-building, and conflict prevention before considering military escalation. Congress has an important role in ensuring accountability and making sure major decisions reflect long-term national interests rather than short-term political considerations.

What are the next steps in your candidacy?

The next steps in my campaign involve continuing to expand our grassroots movement throughout the district. I am focused on meeting campaign goals, connecting directly with voters, increasing outreach efforts, and building the infrastructure necessary to compete effectively. I want people throughout FL-26 to know that their concerns are being heard and that they have a voice in shaping the future of the district. Building strong community connections and earning trust remain central to the campaign.

How can people learn more about your campaign and donate?

People can learn more about my campaign, my priorities, and ways to support our movement by visiting YurinaGilforYou.com. They can read about the issues, learn more about my background, and find opportunities to contribute, volunteer, and help grow our grassroots effort.