Endorsement watch: Florida Medical Association, NRA, Florida Retail Federation and others issue endorsements

There are just a few weeks until the election, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates.

Several organizations — including the National Association of REALTORS, Florida Medical Association and the National Rifle Association — issued endorsements.

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Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe has thrown his support behind Patrick Murphy.

Poe announced this week he was endorsing Murphy in his U.S. Senate bid. In a statement, Poe called Murphy “the leader that we need in the U.S. Senate.”

“Together, we will fight for our priorities like strengthening our middle class, protecting Social Security and Medicare for our seniors, and cleaning up Florida’s springs and waterways,” said Poe in a statement. “Floridians can count on Patrick to show up and fight for them every day in the U.S. Senate.”

Murphy said he was grateful for Poe’s endorsement.

“In the Senate, I will work with leaders like Mayor Poe to make sure our middle-class families succeed and Florida’s cities thrive,” said Murphy. “I am proud to have the mayor standing with me in this campaign and I look forward to all that we’ll be able to accomplish together.”

Murphy faces Alan Grayson in the Aug. 30 primary.

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The Florida Medical Association PAC has thrown its support behind Marco Rubio.

The group announced this week it was endorsing Rubio in his re-election bid.

“Sen. Rubio has always valued the relationship between physicians and patients and has been a strong advocate for eliminating government bureaucracy that limits access to care,” said Dr. Chris Pittman, president of the FMA PAC, in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Rubio to ensure that the people of Florida have access to quality, affordable health care delivered by the best physicians in the nation.”

Rubio said he was proud to receive the group’s endorsement in his re-election bid.

“FMA understands that we cannot rely on an outdated, big-government approach when it comes to health care, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in improving access to quality care for all Floridians,” said Rubio in a statement.

Rubio faces Carlos Beruff in the Aug. 30 Republican primary.

The Florida Medical Association PAC also announced it was supporting Dana Young in Senate District 18. Pittman said the organization looked forward to working with Young “to address health policy issues affecting Florida’s physicians and their patients.”

“Our physicians play an integral role in our community and throughout the state, keeping Floridians safe and healthy,” said Young in a statement. “With our physicians and, most importantly, our patients in mind, we must ensure that we are upholding the highest standards of care and advancing the quality and accessibility of health care in the State of Florida.”

Young faces Democrat Bob Buesing in the November general election.

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The National Association of REALTORS has thrown its support behind Neal Dunn.

The organization’s political committee announced this week it was backing Dunn in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District.

“It is our job to help advocate for issues that affect REALTORS, homebuyers and private property owners, and we feel that Neal Dunn shares the same values that are important to us, which is why we have chosen to support him in his race for Congressional District 2,” said Brian Neubauer, president of the Bay County Association of REALTORS®.

Dunn said he was thankful for the support, and looks forward “to finding new ways to increase home ownership and grow our economy.”

Dunn faces Republicans Ken Sukhia and Mary Thomas in the Aug. 30 primary.

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The American Conservative Union has thrown its support behind Francis Rooney.

The organization announced this week it was backing Rooney in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, said Rooney will bring “sorely needed, real-world business experience to Congress.”

“Rooney has a lifelong record of supporting conservative values, from protecting the rights of the unborn to opposing the Export-Import Bank and eliminating Fannie Mae, an agency that contributed to the housing crisis in 2008,” said Schlapp. Rooney also has pledged to support efforts to enforce the 10th Amendment and shift power and money from the federal government back to the states.”

Rooney faces Republicans Chauncey Goss and Dan Bongino in the Aug. 30 primary.

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The Florida Retail Federation has thrown its support behind Bobby Powell.

The organization’s political committee announced this week it was backing Powell in Senate District 30.

“Bobby Powell has been a big supporter of making Florida a pro-business state and working with FRF and our members to ensure an economic environment that allows businesses of all sizes to flourish,” said Randy Miller, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “Bobby has been a tremendous advocate as a member of the Florida House, and we look forward to the positive impact he’ll have as a senator.”

Powell faces Democrats Tony Bennett and Michael Steinger in the Aug. 30 primary.

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Naples Republican Matt Hudson has received the support of North Collier firefighters and paramedics.

The North Collier Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of IAFF local 2297 announced this week they had endorsed Hudson in his Senate District 28 bid.

“The North Collier Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of IAFF local 2297 proudly serve our profession with integrity, honor, respect and good moral character,” said Christopher Spencer, president of the North Collier Professional Firefighters and Paramedics. “We expect the same characteristics from our elected officials. Therefore, it is with loyalty and in solidarity that we endorse the Hon. Matt Hudson for state Senate District 28.”

Hudson said he was honored to receive the endorsement.

“Our state’s first responders have dedicated their lives to keeping our families, friends and neighbors safe in the face of danger, and they deserve our utmost respect, as well as the resources needed to continue that commitment,” said Hudson in a statement. “As a former chairman of the Golden Gate Fire Commission, I understand the needs of our first responders and, if elected to the Florida Senate, I will be a strong advocate for our state’s firefighters and paramedics.”

Hudson faces Republican Kathleen Passidomo in the Aug. 30 election.

Passidomo received the backing of Reinhold Schmieding, the president and founder of Arthrex, this week. A prominent local businessman, Schmieding said Passidomo has his “full support.”

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Jonathan Tallman has received the backing of the National Rifle Association.

The National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida endorsed Tallman in House District 4. Tallman also received an A rating for his “strong support of the Constitution and the Second Amendment.”

Tallman faces Republicans Laurie Bartlett, Wayne R. Harris, Armand Izzo, and Mel Ponder in the Aug. 30 primary.