Another donor ponies up big for hunting and fishing rights ballot initaitve
Wilton Simpson is encouraging vets to give Operation Outdoor Freedom a shot. Image via FDACS.

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A conservation group's political action committee is spending big money for the November citizens' initiative.

The ballot initiative to preserve hunting and fishing in the state is getting more help this week.

The International Order of T. Roosevelt’s affiliated “T. Roosevelt Action” political committee is pouring a quarter-million dollars into Amendment 2 in November.

“We are thrilled to announce a contribution of $250,000 to the ‘Yes on 2!’ Committee in Florida, advocating for the passage of the constitutional right to fish and hunt amendment,” said Luke Hilgemann, CEO of T. Roosevelt Action and national chair of Yes on 2.

“At T. Roosevelt Action, we are proud to take a leadership role in this crucial effort, demonstrating our commitment to forever protect the cherished fishing, hunting, and conservation traditions in Florida for all to enjoy.”

“Luke and the team at T. Roosevelt Action have been tremendous partners in the fight to preserve our rights,” added Yes on 2 Campaign Chairman Joshua Kellam. “We are incredibly grateful for Luke’s commitment to our conservation efforts here in Florida and across the country.”

The language, which must be approved by at least 60% of voters, proposes to “preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”

Other donors have made notable contributions this month, including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who poured in $100,000 of his own money.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


11 comments

  • My Take

    May 8, 2024 at 2:51 pm

    What ARE they really up to?

    • Nah

      May 9, 2024 at 12:58 am

      I keep expecting to hear next they are starting a well-funded coalition of “Vision Challenged” hunters (anyone can join!) who want to preserve the right to shoot ANYTHING they think looks like a threatening life form…And claim constitutional sporting rights. It’s more fun than “self defense”. That’s so last decade.

    • Bea Buck

      May 9, 2024 at 9:05 am

      They want to be able to hunt on YOUR land and you have no say .

    • MarvinM

      May 11, 2024 at 4:26 pm

      My guess, pass-through funding. Wilton’s $100,000 will mostly end up in the campaign coffers if not the actual pockets of (I’m supposing here) Republican candidates. To hide where the funds are really coming from.

      Let’s just see how much of that money goes to pay for “Vote Yes on Our Amendment” TV, radio and publication ads. Or direct mailers.

      And how much of it goes to “consultants”. And other clever ways they have to move money around, to PACs and such.

      Hunting and fishing in Florida was never in danger, zero need to make a constitutional amendment about it. So the question “What ARE they really up to?” is a question that everyone should consider. I have but one take, there can be others.

  • ScienceBLVR

    May 8, 2024 at 3:13 pm

    Yes sir, BillyBob, ya got a God given right to murder those pesky wild creatures.. the Bible says so! Shoot, if Wilton is putting his own bucks in it, you know it’s a righteous cause.. Ooooweeee

  • Michael K

    May 8, 2024 at 10:53 pm

    Somebody is scared to death to have women and pot smokers turn out to vote in November. This is just roadkill to excite the group Trump calls his “un-educated.”

    And why isn’t Assley opposing this one?

  • Ocean Joe

    May 9, 2024 at 7:06 am

    The canned hunt crowd coming out of the shadows.

  • Red widow

    May 11, 2024 at 8:02 pm

    I would like to preserve primitive living. Make my own dirt house and bamboo my roof
    That isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Why should I care about sports.

  • Dont Say FLA

    May 13, 2024 at 12:45 pm

    Got a bunch of rich dudes throwing their money at this initiative, but nobody throwing money at two others on the ballot. That tells me all I need to know: This one is about profits, the others are about rights.

  • Cindy

    May 14, 2024 at 8:40 pm

    Commercial. Fishing. Industry Corp most likely

  • Cindy

    May 14, 2024 at 8:43 pm

    Commercial. Fishings industry has a lot of off shore fish restaurants.

Comments are closed.


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