Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 27, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner candidate Denise Grimsley added a trio of endorsements Tuesday from past chairs of the Republican Party of Florida. Lining up behind the Sebring Senator were former Chairman Al Cardenas, Chairwomen Carole Jean Jordan and Leslie Dougher, as well as Wendy Bitner Rodin, wife of deceased former Chairman Dave Bitner. “Denise knows agriculture better […]

Scott PowersJune 26, 2018

Congressional candidate Scott Sturgill, gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, Attorney General candidate Ashley Moody, and Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell were the top choices Monday night in a straw poll conducted during the Seminole County Republican Party hobnob. Sturgill is facing fellow Republicans state Rep. Mike Miller and Vennia Francois and easily defeated both of them among […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 18, 2018

According to newly filed Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried, the state is lax on gun control and too overbearing on medical marijuana. In a campaign video released Monday morning, the Democrat makes her introduction to voters by setting up a dichotomy between pot and assault rifles. “One helps sick and dying Floridians and is over-regulated,” […]

Drew WilsonJune 12, 2018

North Fort Myers Rep. Matt Caldwell topped the four-person Republican primary for Agriculture Commissioner in May fundraising with more than $200,000 received between his campaign and political committee. The May reports, which show $53,120 in campaign fundraising and $147,500 in committee cash, bring Caldwell’s total fundraising up to $2.12 million with $1.26 million in the […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 11, 2018

State Sen. Denise Grimsley received endorsements from five more Florida sheriffs on Monday, bringing the total amount of law enforcement authorities who’ve backed her quest for Agriculture Commissioner to 27. In a news release announcing the endorsements, Grimsley, of Sebring, tied one of the many responsibilities of Agriculture Commissioner to working with local authorities. “If elected to […]

Bill RuftyJune 6, 2018

The second television ad for Baxter Troutman, Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, began running statewide Wednesday. The ad for the Winter Haven businessman and grower is part of a $1.6 million television and digital ad package the campaign announced two weeks ago. The first television ad featured Becky Troutman, the candidate’s wife, talking about her […]

Drew WilsonMay 25, 2018

Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsley is steadily racking up law enforcement support for her statewide campaign to succeed Adam Putnam as Agriculture Commissioner. The longtime Republican lawmaker had already earned the backing of 14 county sheriffs, and on Thursday she added four more — Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, Liberty County Sheriff Eddie Joe White, Madison […]

Bill RuftyMay 14, 2018

Two of the heaviest-monied Republican candidates for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture are heading for a busy week. Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven plans to be in the Panhandle for the next two weeks beginning Monday with a visit to Fort Walton Beach. State Sen. Denise Grimsley of Sebring also starts the week […]

Drew WilsonMay 9, 2018

Sebring Republican Sen. Denise Grimsley topped the Agriculture Commissioner field last month with nearly $190,000 raised between her campaign and committee. “I am proud of our strong campaign efforts and am most grateful for all the support we have received while working to earn our Party’s nomination,” Grimsley said. “We have traveled the state and […]

Drew WilsonMay 8, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell’s Agriculture Commissioner bid crossed the $2 million mark in total fundraising last month after bringing in $164,275 between his campaign and committee accounts. “I am proud to be running a true, statewide race, from the Panhandle to the Keys. Our hard work has resulted in a tremendous amount of support […]

Tag: Baxter Troutman
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Former Florida GOP chairs wade into Ag Commissioner race, back Denise Grimsley

Adam Putnam, Scott Sturgill, Ashley Moody, Matt Caldwell win Seminole GOP straw poll

Nikki Fried campaign video features marijuana grow-op, call for gun control

Matt Caldwell tops Ag Commissioner field in May

More sheriffs back Denise Grimsley’s bid for Agriculture Commissioner

Baxter Troutman releases second statewide ad

Denise Grimsley rolls out third wave of sheriff endorsements

Agriculture Commission candidates face busy week

The surge: Six-figure take buoys Denise Grimsley’s Ag. Commissioner bid

Matt Caldwell raises $164K in April