Austin Rogers picks up a clerk and a three-star in CD 2

Austin Rogers is leaning into his Panhandle roots, rolling out two hometown endorsements as the crowded Republican Primary in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District takes shape.

The Panama City native and former general counsel to U.S. Sen. Rick Scott announced the backing of Bill Kinsaul, the longtime Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, and Darryl Roberson, a retired Air Force Lieutenant General who once commanded the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base and later led the service’s Air Education and Training Command.

For Rogers, the pair lands the kind of credibility he’s built his campaign around — local institutional trust and military bona fides in a district anchored by Tyndall and the Big Bend.

“I’m proud to endorse Austin Rogers for Congress because I know the kind of man he is,” Kinsaul said. “Austin is grounded in faith, guided by integrity, and committed to the small-town values that make North Florida strong. He understands that our families, churches, farms, small businesses, and local communities are the backbone of this district. Austin won’t go to Washington to fit in. He’ll go there to fight for conservative principles, defend our constitutional freedoms, and protect the values we are working to pass on to the next generation. I have complete confidence in Austin, and he has my full endorsement.”

Roberson, who led Tyndall during his tenure as a wing commander, framed his support around three decades of knowing the candidate.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse Austin Rogers for Congress. I have known Austin for over 30 years, and during that time he has always been hardworking, intelligent, and polite,” Roberson said. “It is no surprise to me that he is willing to take on such a demanding and challenging task. As a resident of District 2 during my time as Commander at Tyndall Air Force Base, I fully understand the challenges and issues it faces. Given Austin’s experience, character, and leadership, I believe he is exceptionally well qualified to serve this community and our nation in Congress. For these reasons, he has my strongest endorsement and full support.”

Rogers — who graduated from Mosley High School and earned his law degree from Duke University before serving as chief counsel for Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans under Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley — is one of a deep GOP field chasing the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn.

The Republican Primary, set for Aug. 18, also features Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power, attorney and top fundraiser Keith Gross, and a roster of veterans and local officials competing across the solidly red Panhandle and Big Bend district. With qualifying now closed, the contest to succeed Dunn is locked in — and Rogers is betting that homegrown names carry weight where the votes are.

—

Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.