Matt Caldwell’s now racked up 104,000 miles on odometer, has $5.7M in the bank

Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell hopes supporters look not just at the dollars he’s spent this year but the miles he’s traveled.

Though the war chest of dollars looks pretty nice, too.

The candidate announced as of Thursday, his campaign trucked 104,000 miles, through all 67 counties in Florida. And he raised more than $5.7 million overall along the way.

“There’s no better campaign that a grassroots campaign,” he said. “All the successful candidates from my experience have the most success when they connect with the voters. It worked earlier this year and helped us with that. We’re hoping that continues.”

And he’s not stopping.

“With only 5 days left until Election Day, I am truly thankful for the enthusiasm for my campaign. Voters are making it clear which vision they support for the State of Florida,” said Caldwell.

The North Fort Myers Republican, who served in the Florida House for eight years before seeking statewide office, purchased $1.05 million in TV time to showcase workdays done across the state in a Dirty Jobs-inspired video spot.

That came through his “#2LaneTravels” tour of the state, which consumed Caldwell’s life over the campaign. He’s spent only 16 days at home in the past 24 months he said. Most of the work shown in his new ad came from day-long work days over the past two years.

“The obvious benefit of that is you get to understand the issues out there,” he said. “You get exposed to the many industries regulated by this department.

The campaign stressed the traditional agriculture side of the job, a deep contrast to Democratic opponent Nikki Fried, a former marijuana industry lobbyist.

That’s critical, Caldwell said, even though the office oversees virtually every in the state of Florida. But agriculture remains the No. 2 industry in the state, and the No. 1 in most of the counties. It may surprise folks that even in counties like Hillsborough and Miami-Dade, there remains a heavy agriculture presence outside the highly urbanized cities.

Caldwell through the course of him campaign picked up almost 100 endorsements from such groups and leaders as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association PAC, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Forestry Association, Florida Farm Bureau FarmPAC, Florida Police Chiefs Association, the Police Benevolent Association, National Rifle Association, Family Action Network, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida (ABC), Sen. Marco Rubio, and Rep. Matt Gaetz.

He’s also promoted his time in Tallahassee.

His Florida House District 79 today is the only legislative district in Florida that doesn’t overlap with any incorporated municipalities. That left the lawmaker more focused on the needs of rural voters than the majority of his colleagues.

His legislative record in the process includes leading, funding, sponsoring and backing legislation on issues including water, state natural resources, environmental restoration, growing jobs, cutting taxes, assisting veterans, instituting criminal justice reform and promoting Florida agriculture workers and goods.

“As I travel the Sunshine State, workers, farmers, and small business owners are supportive of our efforts to strengthen agriculture, protect consumers, and keep Florida’s economy growing. It’s time to protect, promote, and do right by all 21 million Floridians. We are going to get it done for Florida.”