Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 9, 2018

Republican Baxter Troutman said his Agriculture Commissioner campaign hit the $2.9 million mark in total fundraising last month and has $2.7 million on hand. Troutman, a former Winter Haven state representative, is one of three Republicans vying to replace term-limited Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is running for Governor in 2018. Troutman’s February campaign finance […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2018

Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell said Thursday that retailers are within their rights to pull guns from their shelves, but consumers who don’t favor such policies can vote with their dollars. “The Citizens United case confirmed that the 1st Amendment protects everyone’s free speech, both individuals and corporations like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart. […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube announced Monday that he will run for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. “I’m running because Washington is broken; it needs to serve the people it was intended to serve, Floridians; rather than special interests in DC,” Steube said in an email. “My entire adult life has been about service, I enlisted […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Last week U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney put out the “Rooney out” message, launching a wave of speculation over who could step in and win the heavily Republican CD 17 in the fall. So far, all the GOP candidates running to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – former Winter Haven Rep. Baxter Troutman, Lehigh Acres Rep. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 21, 2018

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Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Matt Caldwell on Wednesday said he believes making schools gun-free zones is the main reason on why tragedies like last week’s mass shooting at a Broward County high school happen. “I believe that these … shootings happen because (schools) are soft targets—they happen because we designate them gun-free zones,” said Caldwell, a […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

State Rep. Matt Caldwell touted another fundraising win in the race to take over for termed out Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the fall. The Lehigh Acres Republican brought in a combined $106,100 last month – $50,100 for his campaign and another $56,000 for his political committee, Friends of Matt Caldwell. The numbers outshined his […]

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. […]

Tag: Matt Caldwell
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Baxter Troutman hits $2.9M raised in Ag Commissioner race

Matt Caldwell takes issue with retailers ‘caving’ on guns

Greg Steube is running for Congress; seeks seat being vacated by Tom Rooney

How the dominoes could fall after ‘Rooney out’

Matt Caldwell: Gun-free zones led to Parkland shooting

Matt Caldwell tops Ag Commissioner field in January fundraising

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