Congressional candidate Charles Gambaro has been endorsed by former U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, his campaign announced Tuesday evening. Gambaro, who is currently a Palm Coast City Council member, is running to represent Florida’s 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I have seen Charles Gambaro in numerous pressure-filled and life-and-death situations. He’s unflappable,” Miller wrote in his endorsement. “Florida is lucky to have him as a citizen and America is fortunate that he has decided to continue his service by entering the arena of politics. A man of profound courage, commitment, high personal and professional standards, Charlie will give voice to those that all too often aren’t heard and selflessly serve the citizens of Florida with integrity, empathy and fortitude. I am honored and humbled to endorse this great military officer and American.”
Gambaro’s 2020 official Army portrait. ⓒ United States Army
Prior to entering elected politics, Gambaro served in the U.S. Army while Miller was Defense Secretary. He is presently a brigadier general in the Army Reserve, and was an advisor to the Pentagon and Oval Office concurrently during Miller’s service.
“Along with his many countless positions,” Gambaro said, “Chris also served 27 years as an officer in the U.S. Army’s elite Green Berets. I am extremely honored by his endorsement and proud to call him my friend.”
Gambaro is running as a Republican for a seat currently held by Rep. Randy Fine, also a Republican. Other candidates running include Flagler School Board Chair Will Furry, 2025 special election candidate Aaron Baker, and 2024 Democratic nominee James Stockton. Fine has yet to formally declare a re-election bid, but has been reported to be gearing up for a run.
Christopher Miller’s Career
President Donald Trump appointed Miller acting secretary of defense on November 9th, 2020 after firing Mark Esper. He remained in that role for two months until the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20th, 2021. Prior to that, Miller rose to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army in a career that lasted from 1983 to 2014. He was a Green Beret who served in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.
Between his Army career and Pentagon stint, Miller worked in the private sector. He first joined the Trump administration in March 2020, when he was nominated for the director position at the National Counterterrorism Center. He served there from August 6th until his November promotion.
Miller was one of several senior officials of the first Trump administration who testified to the House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack. Under oath, he stated that he was advised by President Trump to make unarmed federal personnel available to assist Washington D.C. law enforcement. Miller did deploy the National Guard to assist in quelling the Capitol riots, but his order did not come until several hours after the U.S. Capitol had been breached.
Since departing from the federal government, Miller has taken on the role of Chief Revenue Officer at DZYNE Technologies, a private military drone manufacturing company. He also participated in forming foreign policy positions for the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a controversial political proposal to strengthen the executive branch and codify many key conservative political positions.
