Dave Weldon, a former congressman, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Trump praised Weldon as a respected conservative leader and emphasized the need for transparency, competence, and high standards at the CDC.
Weldon, 71, is a veteran physician from Florida who served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps before practicing medicine in the state. He is currently a board-certified internist and holds various roles in the healthcare field.
During his congressional career, Weldon focused on healthcare issues and was known for his pro-life stance. He introduced legislation to protect the conscience rights of pro-life doctors and advocated for a federal ban on partial-birth abortions.
Weldon also gained attention for his involvement in the case of Terri Schiavo, where he attempted to intervene to prevent the removal of her feeding tube. Despite his efforts, Schiavo ultimately passed away in 2005.
Additionally, Weldon has expressed concerns about vaccine safety and has called for an independent agency to oversee vaccine safety research. His position aligns with that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
In 2024, Weldon ran as a candidate for the Florida House’s 32nd District but ultimately lost in the Republican primary.
Debbie Mayfield faced a tough loss in the primary race, coming in at 35 percent compared to her opponent’s 65 percent.
Despite this setback, Mayfield was able to secure a victory in the general election, defeating Democrat Juan Hinojosa by a similar margin.
