Todd Wilcox looks to woo Republican voters during Naples stop

Todd Wilcox said Republicans have a clear choice in the race to replace Sen. Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate.

They can choose from one of several career politicians running for office, or they can pick him, a first-time candidate who spent years as an entrepreneur.

Wilcox made his pitch to the Women’s Republican Club of Naples Federated luncheon on Friday. The visit marked the latest in a series of stops in recent months to the conservative stronghold to woo voters ahead of the August primary.

“I am a rational, constitutional conservative candidate for the United States Senate because I aim to alter our current form of government that has been dominated by career politicians,” the Orlando-based entrepreneur told the crowd. “It is time for the warrior class and the business class to step up and lead our nation.”

Wilcox said he expects three topics — national security, the economy and defending the Constitution — will be the topics that define the election. Wilcox, a business owner, former combat veteran and CIA official, said he is best qualified to serve.

“I have literally written a blank check to this nation twice up to payable with my life. I am the candidate that will fight to the end to defend our Constitution,” he said. “If we don’t have a senator that will stand up to an executive branch, I fear our constitutional republic is going to pass over our horizon. I am the candidate who will give you a return to citizen government.”

Wilcox is one of four Republicans battling it out for the Republican nomination. He faces Rep. David Jolly, Rep. Ron DeSantis, and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera in the August primary.

A fifth Republican, Carlos Beruff, is also considering entering the race.