The Commissioner is maintaining the White House’s confidence.
President Donald Trump[1] is again backing Wilton Simpson[2] for Agriculture Commissioner, just as he did before the 2022 election in which Simpson got more than 59% of the vote.
In a social media post, Trump said “Simpson is the strong and highly popular Agriculture Commissioner for Florida” and “a Fifth Generation Floridian, lifelong Egg Farmer, successful Businessman, former President of the State Senate, and now, as Agriculture Commissioner, has served the Sunshine State during a career ‘loaded up’ with accolades and wins.”
Trump’s “Complete and Total Endorsement” described the Trilby Republican as a “true America First Patriot, who has been with us from the very beginning” and “an incredibly effective Voice for Florida Agriculture, and our amazing Farmers and Ranchers.”
The President’s endorsement is the latest one early in the cycle for a statewide Republican incumbent.
Attorney General James Uthmeier got the Trump bump earlier in October after his work on issues important to the President ranging from Alligator Alcatraz to the future Trump library at Miami-Dade College.
Two minor candidates[3] have filed to run for Agriculture Commissioner already: Republican Michael Minardi and Democrat Chase Romagnano.
Some had speculated that Simpson might run for Governor this cycle, which would have put him on a collision course with Trump’s preferred candidate, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples.
Clearly, that won’t be happening now.
Trump has endorsed in every statewide contest except for the race for Chief Financial Officer. It remains to be seen if appointed incumbent Blaise Ingoglia of Spring Hill gets the President’s nod, or if someone else enters the race.
References
- ^ Donald Trump (x.com)
- ^ Wilton Simpson (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ minor candidates (dos.elections.myflorida.com)