Who Is Joe Newman? 101-Year-Old Florida Man Launches Spirited Run For Congress

Joe Newman has seen a lot in his 101 years of living -- experience he is now ready to take to Capitol Hill.

The Sarasota, Fla., man has announced he will compete for Florida's 16th Congressional District seat, challenging current holder Vern Buchanan. Newman told WFLA he launched his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives because he knows Congress can do a better job at fulfilling its responsibility to the country’s citizens.

Newman added that he has seen the country evolve and is confident that experience will serve him well as a Florida representative.

"You learn through life you have certain responsibilities. And if you don't fulfill them, how can you look in the mirror?" he told WFLA.

Newman lived through the Great Depression and even directly assisted with the initial launch of the nation’s Social Security program. Newman believes that government should continue to work to support society and improve the conditions of its citizens, not those of special interests.

His platform is structured around the government’s continued funding of Social Security, an expansion of Medicare and the ultimate goal of eventually eliminating property.

"If people are saying, who is this fool at 101 and running? Call me a fool. I'm sorry, but I've got to get out and convince John and convince Jim: Hey, think!" he said. "What is the best thing our society can do and what is the responsibility of our society?"

"My hope is that we get a chance to speak out and make people reflect on what you want from your society," he added.

Newman will run as a write-in candidate during the election this fall.