Drew Wilson
Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsley has added two more lawmen to her stable of supporters in the four-way Republican primary to succeed term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam
Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis and Sumter County Sheriff William Farmer were the new additions. They join 29 other county sheriffs in declaring their support for the 14-year state lawmaker.
“We know that Denise is prepared to make the tough calls on Day One in office and that she will do what it takes to hold criminals and fraudsters accountable with the help of Florida law enforcement,” Nienhuis said. “Her passion for Florida and protecting its citizens is unparalleled and I stand behind her 100 percent.”
Farmer added, “Denise has been a consistent champion of law enforcement and I know that as Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture she will stand by us more than ever. I look forward to lending her my endorsement and spreading the word in the law enforcement community that Denise is the right candidate for the job.”
Grimsley said it was a “true privilige to say that more than 30 of Florida’s sheriffs have endorsed our campaign for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.”
“Blue lives are sacred; and, as a cabinet member, I pledge to stand behind the honorable women and men in law enforcement that have dedicated their lives to upholding the rule of law and, in turn, keeping our families safe and secure,” she said.
Grimsley faces Lehigh Acres Rep. Matt Caldwell, retired U.S. Army Col. Mike McCalister and former Winter Haven Rep. Baxter Troutman in the Republican primary for the Cabinet position. Also running are Democrats Nikki Fried, Jeff Porter and David Walker.
Through June 29, Caldwell had about $1.2 million in the bank between his campaign and committee accounts, followed by Grimsley with about $975,000. Troutman leads the field with $1.45 million banked, though nearly all of his campaign cash has come in through self-funding.
The primary election is Aug. 28. The general election is Nov. 6.
