Small-business group backs 3 GOP legislative candidates in June Special Elections

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is getting involved in upcoming Special Elections, endorsing GOP candidates for three legislative seats.

The NFIB is backing Debbie Mayfield, a Melbourne Republican, in the race for Senate District 19. That’s one of the higher-profile races, as it’s the seat that opened after Randy Fine was elected in Florida’s 6th Congressional District.

Mayfield got the most votes in the Republican Primary on April 1. She now faces Democrat Vance Aherns in the June 10 contest. SD 19 runs from St. Johns County through coastal areas to the Space Coast in Brevard County.

The NFIB is also getting behind Brian Hodgers, also a Melbourne Republican. He is seeking to nab the House District 32 seat that Mayfield vacated to run for Senate.

Hodgers won the Republican Primary on April 1 in a heated race against dermatologist Dr. Terry Cronin. Hodgers now faces competition from Democrat Juan Hinojosa.

And Nathan Boyles, an Okaloosa County Republican, is also getting an endorsement from the NFIB in his run for the House District 3 seat in the Panhandle.

Boyles defeated seven other candidates in that Republican Primary to fill the HD 3 seat that was vacated by former Rep. Joel Rudman, who made a failed run in Florida’s 1st Congressional District to succeed Matt Gaetz.

Boyles faces Democrat Dondre Markell Wise for the seat, which covers Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.

All three of the NFIB-endorsed candidates have business connections or own businesses themselves, which prompted the NFIB to support them.

“NFIB is confident that these three candidates will be reliable small business advocates in Tallahassee,” said Bill Herrle, NFIB Florida Executive Director. “Florida’s small business owners need elected officials to understand the issues that are most important to Main Street and commit to supporting pro-growth policies.”

Mayfield launched and ran the Mayfield Group, a mortgage brokerage firm.

Hodgers is the owner of Complete Choice Insurance and Complete Choice Realty in Brevard County.

Boyles is a former Okaloosa County Commissioner and owner and founder of a title company.