Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 7, 2018

Going on a few months, Florida Politics has been tracking Republican Mike McCalister and the possibility he may enter the wide-open race for Agriculture Commissioner. Chatter surrounding the much-discussed retired Army Colonel and former U.S. Senate candidate was loudest at the Republican Party of Florida annual meeting in January. Bringing some solid retail politicking, McCalister worked the […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 5, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell announced another block endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign from colleagues in the Florida House Monday, this time mostly from the Tampa Bay area. “I am proud to receive the endorsements from my colleagues. I will continue to work hard to earn support from Floridians across the Sunshine State, who […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2018

Democrat Jeff Porter, three-term mayor of Homestead, is entering the race for Florida agriculture commissioner. Porter, 58, is the second Democrat into the field, following South Florida environmentalist David Walker. Three high-profile and well-funded Republicans also are in the contest to succeed Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam: state Sen. Denise Grimsley of Lake Placid, state Rep. […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 23, 2018

Former Florida Rep. Baxter Troutman, a Winter Haven Republican, was endorsed by former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Monday in his run for Agriculture Commissioner. Troutman, the grandson of the late Ben Hill Griffin, noted citrus baron and a former Democratic candidate for governor, announced Friday he was officially opening his campaign for the post. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 18, 2018

When former state Rep. Baxter Troutman was 16, he attended Boys State. There, he ran for Agriculture Commissioner. Three decades later, Troutman has followed up on the reality of a rather idiosyncratic-seeming childhood goal. He is one of four Republicans vying for the opportunity to become Agriculture Commissioner. Unlike the incumbent, Adam Putnam, who seemed like […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 16, 2018

Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell pulled in six-figures for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign last month, which was good enough for the top spot among the four candidates gunning to replace termed out Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam. Caldwell pulled in $39,201 for his campaign account and another $59,500 for his political committee, for a combined $101,701 raised […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 5, 2018

Rep. Matt Caldwell announced Thursday that his December finance reports will show another six-figure fundraising month for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign, putting him at $1.56 million raised in 2017. “We are working hard and our support continues to grow each and every day. We have traveled nearly 41,000 miles across this State since May 1 […]

Drew WilsonDecember 29, 2017

Lawmakers will have a week to fundraise before the Legislative Session kicks off and Rep. Matt Caldwell, who is running for Agriculture Commissioner, plans to make the most of it. The Lehigh Acres Republican is holding a fundraiser on Jan. 3 in Pensacola followed by another in Branford on Jan. 5. The host committee for […]

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2017

Sebring Republican Sen. Denise Grimsley will get a fundraising boost for her campaign to succeed Adam Punam as Commissioner of Agriculture at an event set for the morning of Jan. 9. The breakfast fundraiser is set for 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The early morning start allows Grimsley to collect funds for the Cabinet race […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2017

While much is made about how a Democrat hasn’t held the Florida governor’s mansion for nearly two decades, the drought is almost as long as for the state’s three other Cabinet officers. While Alex Sink served as Chief Financial Officer from 2007-2011, Democrats haven’t made much noise in years, particularly in the Agriculture Commissioner’s race, echoing […]

Tag: Baxter Troutman

Chatter grows on Mike McCalister entering Ag Commissioner race

Matt Caldwell announces ‘seventh wave’ of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid

Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter entering Agriculture Commissioner race

Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll endorses Baxter Troutman for Agriculture Commissioner

Baxter Troutman: ‘This is it for me’

Ag Commissioner candidates Matt Caldwell, Denise Grimsley raise big in December

Matt Caldwell caps off 2017 with a six-figure December

Matt Caldwell looks to start the new year with a bang

Senate leaders to raise money for Denise Grimsley on Jan. 9

Democrat David Walker begins making his case for Agriculture Commissioner