Truth for Veterans Bill:  Which Florida Congressional Candidates Support Free Speech for Veterans?

Which of our political representatives, congressional candidates, Veterans advocacy groups, consumer protection agencies, free speech advocates and corporations would support a bill that ensures access to critical information and access to all opinions and experiences for Veterans prior to making major investments or purchases?  Which support the protection of every Veteran’s right to share opinions and experiences, and leave honest reviews, without fear of being sued by private corporations?  We will tell you who expresses support, who opposes the idea, and who didn’t care enough to respond.  by Sean Kelly, founder, Truth for Veterans Initiative

Related:  Will Congressional Candidate Keith Gross FIGHT to Un-Gag Veterans?

(UnhappyFranchisee.Com)  Predatory sales practices against Veterans – and the use of gag orders to keep them silent –  by sellers of business and franchise opportunities is a national disgrace.

Not only are we failing to protect the rights of those who sacrificed to protect ours, we are enabling greedy salespeople, commission-seeking brokers and sellers of high-failure schemes disguised as the American Dream.

The race for the house seat in the 2nd Congressional District of Florida could be the launchpad for an initiative that restores FTC protections and un-gags American Veterans.

Florida Veterans & Military Families Are Being Targeted by Franchise Sellers

Veterans, military families and hardworking Americans of the Florida panhandle are being targeted by active sellers of the American Dream, such as:

JDog Junk Removal franchise and JDog Carpet Cleaning franchise:  sold exclusively to Veterans and military families.  More than 400 Veteran-owned franchises have been terminated or transferred.

Concrete Craft franchise:  A franchise marketed as Veteran-friendly and a “Best Franchises for Veterans.”  100% of its franchises have ceased operation.

DonutNV franchise:  A Clermont, FL-based seller of high-turnover rate franchises that prohibit Veteran franchisees from speaking out and sued UnhappyFranchisee for sharing their franchisees’ complaints.

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ:  A high-investment restaurant franchise with a near 100% failure rate.

Dickey’s BBQ Pit:  A high-failure franchise chain that resells (churns) failed locations to Veterans & non-Veterans alike, then prohibits them from warning prospective franchisees.  Many are guaranteed by SBA loans that pay the banks with taxpayer money.

A Truth for Veterans, Truth for All Law Would Un-Gag Veterans & Mandate Full Disclosure

Such a bill would be broader in scope than franchise opportunity investments, but using franchise investments as an example, the bill would:

1. Prohibit the use of NDAs or confidentiality agreements that would keep any current or former franchisee from sharing their honest opinions and experiences with Veterans or military family members considering that franchise investment;
2. Prohibit any contractual restrictions on a Veteran or military family members’ right to speak freely and lawfully about their franchise ownership experience either during or after the term of their franchise agreement,
3. Prohibit franchisors or franchise sellers from using the Veteran’s name or likeness to promote its franchise opportunity without their express written consent, which can be withdrawn at any time,
4. For any Veteran franchisee who obtains SBA or other government-backed funding and who is prematurely terminated, transferred or closed prior to completion of the full term, require the franchisor to request a loan review and disclose a detailed explanation the circumstances of the Veteran’s exit to the SBA prior to execution of the bank guarantee.
5. Require franchise sellers who promote their inclusion in “Best Franchises for Veterans,” “Top Vet-Friendly Franchises” or their membership in VetFran to include a disclaimer that these are paid endorsements

Which Candidates Support the Un-Gagging of American Veterans?  Which Oppose It?  Which Don’t Care?

Our first inquiry is to the congressional candidates of Florida’s Second District.

The financial frontrunner is currently franchise attorney Keith Gross, owner of Gross Law Group P.A., Panama City, FL.

Veteran candidates include:

Keith Gross (Republican): Served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2015 to 2017. He is a Panama City businessman and attorney.
Luke Murphy (Republican): A retired U.S. Army Sergeant and Iraq War veteran. He is a Purple Heart recipient who lost a leg during his service in Iraq.
Anthony Stephens (Republican): An Army veteran who announced his candidacy in February 2026, focusing on rural communities and small government.

Republicans

• Keith Gross
• Nick Lewis
• Luke Murphy
• Jim Norton
• Evan Power
• Austin Rogers
• Audie Rowell
• Anthony Stephens

Democrats

• Yen Bailey
• Brice Barnes
• Amanda Green
• Nic Zateslo

Also Read:

Florida Politics Site Asked to Correct Misleading, Inflammatory Headline Regarding Candidate Keith Gross

EMPOWER BRANDS Exits Franchise Fastlane.  Will They Exit the “Semi-Absentee Franchise” Pitch as Well?

What do you think?  Feel free to share a comment below.

INVITATION:  This is a discussion site based on the belief that open and honest debate – free from threats – is critical to the functioning of democracy.  All individuals and companies discussed on this site are invited to provide corrections, clarifications, explanations, rebuttals or opinions.  They may do so in the comment section below, by emailing us at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com or both. 

TAGS: Florida Second District Congressional Race, Florida Politics, Florida elections, Keith Gross, Nick Lewis, Luke Murphy, Jim Norton, Evan Power, Austin Rogers, Audie Rowell, Anthony Stephens, Yen Bailey, Brice Barnes, Amanda Green, Nic Zateslo, Franchise Truth for Veterans, Truth For Veterans, NDAs, gag orders free speech