Ray Rodrigues lines up SWFL Delegation support — sans one person
Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero. (Photo by Phil Sears)

Legislature 70 ps 050517
Heather Fitzenhagen has yet to chime — or jump — in.

Rep. Ray Rodrigues now has for his Senate candidacy support from every lawmaker in the Southwest Florida Legislative Delegation, except one.

Rodrigues, an Estero Republican, issued a new round of endorsements for the state Senate campaign on Monday. The holdout? Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, a Fort Myers Republican rumored to be mulling a run herself.

Rodrigues announced the support of Sen. Ben Albritton, a Bartow Republican, along with Reps. Byron DonaldsMike GrantSpencer Roach and Bob Rommel.

Sen. Kathleen Passidomo and Rep. Dane Eagle already announced support for Rodrigues. So did Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, the outgoing officeholder in District 27.

“Ray is a dedicated servant leader who clearly has a heart for his family and community,” Albritton said. “Every day Ray walks with integrity, passion and honor. Nothing could give me more satisfaction than to stand with him in his campaign for the Florida Senate.”

Rodrigues’ colleagues in the House also showed praise.

“Ray has earned the trust of the public through his unwavering commitment to conservative principles and steady leadership style,” said Roach, a North Fort Myers Republican. “I am proud to call him a friend and offer my highest possible endorsement for him to serve as our next State Senator.”

Naples Republicans Donalds and Rommel both chimed in as well.

“Ray Rodrigues has always been willing to take on the tough fights. Because of his courage Florida is leading the nation in education reform and health care reform,” Rommell said. “Ray is a principled conservative and I’m proud to consider him a friend. Ray will make a great Senator and he will have my full support.”

Added Donalds: “Ray is the kind of proven conservative Southwest Florida can count on to fight for the issues that matter most to our families, small business owners and first responders. He is a great friend and I am proud to endorse him for the Florida Senate.”

And Grant, a Port Charlotte Republican, also spoke up his colleague.

“Southwest Florida deserves a fierce advocate like Ray Rodrigues in the Florida Senate,” Grant said. “His proven leadership on school choice, cleaning up our waterways and keeping our communities safe makes him the ideal candidate to represent Southwest Florida’s shared conservative values.”

Of course, the most glaring omission in the list of supporters remains Fitzenhagen.

Like Rodrigues, the Fort Myers pol cannot seek another two years in the House because of term limits. Leading up to Benacquisto’s retirement, her name has frequently been listed along with Eagle and Rodrigues as a possible successor.

Fitzenhagen’s district covers much of the Senate territory, as does Rodrigues’ district.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


One comment

  • ISayNay

    May 20, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    Ray Rodrigues is actively sabotaging 2016’s Amendment 2, an amendment 71% of the state voted for and supported, without the burdensome conditions he continues to come up with.

    King Ray is not fit to serve another term in this state. Any conservative politician who thinks it’s his job to dictate the market and control our medicine is unfit. I will throw all my support behind Fitzenhagen if she opposes RAY on his stone-age marijuana views.

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