Staff Reports
State Sen. Debbie Mayfield’s campaign to return to the Florida House landed an endorsement from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
“When the battles over a secure border and parental rights began, Debbie Mayfield proudly stood with millions of Florida families who demanded accountability and leadership. I’m proud to endorse Debbie Mayfield because she is a proven Conservative who puts principles and people before politics,” Simpson said in a news release.
Mayfield is term-limited in the Senate. She previously served in the House, representing an Indian River County district from 2008-2016, and is now running for the Brevard-based seat currently held by state Rep. Thad Altman, an Indialantic Republican who is term-limited.
Simpson’s endorsement landed a week after Mayfield received a “Complete and Total Endorsement” from former President Donald Trump, who cheered the Melbourne Republican for “fighting hard to secure our Border, grow the Economy, support our Military/Vets, protect Parental Rights, and defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Mayfield faces former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon in the Republican Primary. Weldon served in the U.S. House from 1995-2009 before exiting Congress and endorsing his eventual successor, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey.
Weldon’s campaign is currently leading the money race by virtue of him being the lone GOP candidate in the race for more than a year — he had raised nearly $100,000 as of March 31. Mayfield, meanwhile, didn’t officially launch her campaign until April 30.
Democrat Jose Hinojosa secured his party’s nomination without contest, though HD 32’s skews Republican and it is a near certainty that the November winner will be whoever emerges from the Republican primary in August.
2 comments
Hung Wiil
May 8, 2024 at 9:28 pm
One problem. Wilton Simpson isn’t a “proven Conservative.” He proclaims someone else to be one, but this lacks credibility. In reality, Mayfield is no conservative leader. She is a follower, doing whatever is in her best interest. Served in the state house, then the state senate, and now back to the state house but only because she got schlonged in her pursuit of the US House seat being vacated by Posey. This is her gig, her livelihood, but that’s not good enough. A public office is a public trust, it should be occupied by conservative leaders, Mayfield is not one.
Dave Weldon should be elected in the primary and secure the Republican nomination for D 32.
It's Complicated
May 9, 2024 at 1:49 pm
This will likely come down to the money and the ground game. Mayfield comes into the race with almost-incumbent status, since she currently represents Brevard County in the Florida Senate. Weldon may have some residual name ID in the district from his 14-years in Congress representing the Space Coast, but being OUT of office for 16-years, it’s also possible few voters remember him. Weldon can likely count on the House of Medicine to put some $$ into his coffers.