Staff Reports
Citrus leaders are throwing their support behind Ben Albritton in his bid to replace Sen. Denise Grimsley in Senate District 26.
The Albritton campaign announced Tuesday four members of the Florida Citrus Commission, including Chairman Marty McKenna and Vice Chairman Mike Garavaglia, have endorsed Albritton in his Senate District 26 bid.
“Citrus is the heart of District 26, and as a grower and former board member, Ben Albritton has a unique understanding of the importance and needs of our industry,” said McKenna in a statement.
Garavaglia called Albritton a “champion of Florida agriculture” and said he will “continue to be an effective advocate for citrus and the entire agriculture industry in the Senate.”
Florida Citrus Commission members V.C. Hollingsworth III and Ned Hancock also endorsed Albritton.
“We know Ben Albritton to be a man of his word. He is a passionate and enthusiastic representative of Florida agriculture and deeply enjoys serving our state and its people,” said Hollingsworth and Hancock in joint statement. “We look forward to his continued leadership in the Florida Senate.”
First elected to the House in 2010, Albritton can’t seek re-election in 2018 because of term limits. He’s vying to replace Grimsley, who is foregoing re-election to run for Agriculture Commissioner, in Senate District 26, which includes parts of Charlotte and Polk counties, as well as DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands and Okeechobee counties.
