A Florida Republican is making a bold play for one of America’s most valuable companies. He’s urging Elon Musk to move Tesla’s headquarters out of Texas following a wave of Democratic victories in the Lone Star State.
Rep. Carlos Giménez, who represents Florida’s 28th Congressional District, sent a letter to the Tesla CEO formally inviting the electric carmaker to relocate its corporate headquarters to what he called the “Free State of Florida.”
Texas Democrats had a big night in the midterms. They ousted Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and flipped the state House, and Giménez didn’t hold back.
“While socialist politicians in Texas threaten to punish success, Florida is rolling out the red carpet for innovation, investment, and job creation,” Giménez said. “I am formally inviting Elon Musk to bring Tesla’s headquarters to the Free State of Florida, where we believe in rewarding hard work, not attacking it. Florida will embrace the future!”
In the letter, the congressman pointed to the election of self-described Democratic Socialists in Texas as a warning sign for businesses.
“With the recent election of self-described Democratic Socialists to positions of power in Texas, I share your concerns about excessive government interference, politically motivated investigations, and policies that punish success,” Giménez wrote.
“While others seek to investigate and punish success, Florida welcomes it,” he added.
According to reports, Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and incoming Attorney General Nathan Johnson have signaled plans for greater scrutiny of business arrangements involving Musk’s companies. That includes state incentives, environmental concerns and the use of public land.
Florida Republicans, meanwhile, held on to every statewide office on Election Day. Giménez is pitching that as proof the Sunshine State remains a safe harbor for job creators.
Giménez served as mayor of Miami-Dade County before he was elected to Congress in 2020. He pointed to South Florida’s infrastructure, skilled workforce and business-friendly climate as key selling points for Tesla. He also said he would welcome the chance to work with Musk and state and local officials to make Florida the company’s future home.
The move would be the latest chapter in Musk’s migration away from Democratic-run states. Tesla moved its headquarters from California to Texas in 2021 after Musk complained about California’s business environment. In 2024, Musk announced that SpaceX and X would also leave California for Texas.
Musk’s footprint in Texas is substantial. It includes Tesla’s operations as well as SpaceX facilities, battery operations and other technology projects.
This isn’t the first time Giménez has tried to lure Musk east. In 2022, after Musk bought Twitter, the congressman urged him to move the platform’s headquarters from San Francisco to Miami.
Other Florida leaders have made similar pitches over the years, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, former state CFO Jimmy Patronis, former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
Giménez is the only Cuban-born member of Congress serving today. He came to the United States as a child shortly after the communist takeover of his homeland, so he has long warned about the dangers of socialism.
Tesla has not announced any plans to move its headquarters, and Musk has not publicly responded to the invitation.
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