Scott Powers
The National Federation of Independent Businesses Florida Political Action Committee announced its endorsement slate Tuesday for state Senate and House races, backing 89 Republicans and 10 Democrats while sitting out in 18 contests.
In the Senate, the NFIB Florida PAC endorsed 11 Republicans, including Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Danny Burgess in the Special Election for Senate District 20, and three Democrats, while making no calls in five Senate contests on the Nov. 3 ballot.
In the House, the organization that specializes in representing small businesses picked 78 Republicans and seven Democrats, and sat out 13 contested elections.
“Florida needs candidates who understand the vital role small businesses play in the state’s economy,” NFIB State Executive Director Bill Herrle stated in a news release. “These candidates are committed to doing everything they can to help the state’s job creators and maintaining an environment where small, independent businesses can continue to grow and create jobs.”
The NFIB Florida PAC points out that small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls.
NFIB’s political support is based on the candidates’ positions and records on key small-business issues.
Senate endorsements:
Republicans
Sen. Doug Broxson — SD 1
Jennifer Bradley — SD 5
Sen. Travis Hutson — SD 7
Former Rep. Jason Brodeur — SD 9
Sen. Debbie Mayfield — SD 17
Burgess — SD 20
Jim Boyd — SD 21
Sen. Joe Gruters — SD 23
Sen. Gayle Harrell — SD 25
Rep. Ray Rodrigues — SD 27
Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez — SD 39
Democrats
Sen. Randolph Bracy — SD 11
Sen. Linda Stewart — SD 1,
Rep. Shevrin Jones — SD 35
The NFIB made no. picks in SDs 3, 19, 29, 31, or 37. In SD 33 Democratic Sen. Perry Thurston already has been reelected, with no General Election opposition.
House Endorsements
Republicans
Michelle Salzman — HD 1
Rep. Alex Andrade — HD 2
Rep. Jayer Williamson — HD 3
Patt Maney — HD 4
Rep. Jay Trumbull — HD 6
Rep. Jason Shoaf — HD 7
Rep. Chuck Brannan — HD 1,
Rep. Cord Byrd — HD 11
Rep. Clay Yarborough — HD 12
Rep. Wyman Duggan — HD 15
Rep. Jason Fischer — HD 16
Rep. Cyndi Stevenson — HD 17
Sam Garrison — HD 18
Rep. Bobby Payne — HD 19
Rep. Chuck Clemons — HD 2
Joe Harding — HD 22
Rep. Stan McClain — HD 23
Rep. Paul Renner — HD 24
Rep. Tom Leek — HD 25
Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff — HD 26
Webster Barnaby — HD 27
Rep. David Smith — HD 28
Rep. Scott Plakon — HD 29
Former Rep. Bob Cortes — HD 30
Keith Truenow — HD 31
Rep. Anthony Sabatini — HD 32
Rep. Brett Hage — HD 33
Rep. Ralph Massullo — HD 34
Rep. Blaise Ingoglia — HD 35
Rep. Amber Mariano — HD 36
Rep. Ardian Zika — HD 37
Rep. Randy Maggard — HD 38
Rep. Josie Tomkow — HD 39
Rep. Colleen Burton — HD 40
Rep. Sam Killebrew — HD 41
Fred Hawkins — HD 42
Bruno Portigliatti — HD 44
Rep. Rene Plasencia — HD 50
Rep. Tyler Sirois — HD 51
Rep. Thad Altman — HD 52
Rep. Randy Fine — HD 53
Rep. Erin Grall — HD 54
Kaylee Tuck — HD 55
Rep. Melony Bell — HD 56
Rep. Mike Beltran — HD 57
Rep, Lawrence McClure — HD 58
Rep. Jackie Toledo — HD 60
Traci Koster — HD 64
Rep. Chris Sprowls — HD 65
Rep. Nick DiCeglie — HD 66
Rep Chris Latvala — HD 67
Rep. Will Robinson — HD 71
Fiona McFarland — HD 72
Rep. Tommy Gregory — HD 73
Rep. James Buchanan — HD 74
Rep, Michael Grant — HD 75
Adam Botana — HD 76
Mike Giallombardo — HD 77
Jenna Persons — HD 78
Rep. Spencer Roach — HD 79
Lauren Melo — HD 80
John Snyder — HD 82
Rep. Toby Overdorf — HD 83
Dana Trabulsy — HD 84
Rep. Rick Roth — HD 85
Rep. Matt Willhite — HD 86
Rep. Mike Caruso — HD 89
Rep Chip LaMarca — HD 93
Tom Fabricio — HD 103
David Borrero — HD 105
Rep. Bob Rommel — HD 106
Alex Rizo — HD 110
Rep. Bryan Avila — HD 111
Rep. Vance Aloupis — HD 115
Rep. Danny Perez — HD 116
Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin — HD 119
Jim Mooney — HD 120.
Democrats
Andrew Learned — HD 59
Rep. Susan Valdes — HD 62
Rep. Ben Diamond — HD 68
Rep. Jennifer Webb — HD 69
Kelly Skidmore — HD 81
Rep. David Silvers — HD 87
Robin Bartleman — HD 104
The NFIB made no picks in House Districts 9, 14, 47, 48, 49, 88, 90, 91, 92, 96, 101, 112, and 114.
In 22 other districts, elections have already decided the house members.
