Drew Wilson
Florida Realtors PAC, the political arm of the state’s largest trade organization, announced a pair of endorsements Friday for upcoming special elections for the Florida House.
In the race to replace former Rep. Halsey Beshears in House District 7, Florida Realtors is backing Republican Jason Shoaf, a vice president at the St. Joe Natural Gas Company. In the race to replace former Rep. Danny Burgess in House District 38, the trade group has selected Republican Randy Maggard.
“Florida Realtors PAC is proud to endorse Jason Shoaf and Randy Maggard in their special elections,” says Bill Poteet, chair of Florida Realtors PAC trustees. “They have shown a clear understanding of the important role Realtors play in Florida’s economy and the health of its communities, and we know they will serve Florida well if elected.”
Both Shoaf and Maggard face challengers in their special primary elections.
Shoaf is running in a four-way primary alongside Lynda Bell, Virginia Fuller and Mike Watkins. The winner of that contest will move on to face Democrat Ryan Terrell in the general election.
HD 7 covers Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties as well as part of Leon County. The seat was left vacant after Beshears, a Monticello Republican, left was picked by Gov. Ron DeSantis to lead the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Maggard, member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board, faces David “Mac” McCallister in the special Republican primary election, the winner of which will face Democrat Kelly Smith in the general.
HD 38 covers part of Pasco County and was left vacant after Burgess tapped by DeSantis to lead the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
Both special primary elections are scheduled for April 9, with the special general elections set to follow on June 18.
