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Voters to pick GOP nominee in race to succeed Randy Fine. Can anyone beat Debbie Mayfield’s cash edge?

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Regardless of how a high-profile congressional election plays out, Randy Fine has officially left his Senate seat. Republican voters in Senate District 19 on Tuesday will choose the most likely person to succeed him later this year, with his predecessor clearly in the mix.

Republican Debbie Mayfield, a Representative and former Senator, holds a massive money advantage ahead of the SD 19 Republican Primary.

But she faces Tim Thomas, a former Melbourne City Council member widely seen as a favorite of Gov. Ron DeSantis; Marcie Adkins, a Republican leader who challenged Fine in a 2020 Primary; and Mark Lightner, a business graduate hoping to stand out as someone who isn’t a career politician.

Mayfield already enjoyed a legal victory in getting her name to appear on the ballot. Secretary of State Cord Byrd earlier this year disqualified Mayfield on the grounds that since, as a term-limited Senator, she could not seek this Senate seat in 2024, she should not be able to run in a Special Election months later to replace Fine, who resigned the seat to run for Congress.

But the Florida Supreme Court said Byrd erred both in reaching beyond the ministerial duties of running the Division of Elections and misreading Florida’s term limit rules, which only restrict nonconsecutive service in office.

Since the state’s high court validated her candidacy, Mayfield has enjoyed massive financial support for her campaign. Through March 27, Mayfield spent nearly $169,000 on the race. She enjoyed support thanks to numerous influential political operations in Tallahassee donating maximum $1,000 contributions to her campaign, including Associated Industries of Florida, as well as lobbying firms like Greenberg Traurig, Rubin Turnbull & Associates and Ronald L. Book Government Consulting.

Political committees controlled by Senate President Ben Albritton and Sens. Jim Boyd, Colleen Burton, Ed Hooper, Corey Simon and Tom Wright, all of whom previously served with Mayfield in the Senate, also donated.

That gave Mayfield an edge financially before touching political committees under her control, including Conservatives for Good Government and Friends of Debbie Mayfield, the latter of which reported almost $117,000 in spending as of March 19.

The next biggest fundraiser proved to be Adkins, who spent more than $37,000 on the race through March 27. Thomas spent more than $14,000 through that point, while Lightner reported about $8,500 in expenditures. None of the candidates had high-profile committees supporting their campaigns.

Thomas has leaned on his time as a teacher and ROTC instructor in the community, promising to expand civic education and invest in technology in the schools, a high priority on the Space Coast. He has even incorporated the image of a rocket ship into his campaign logo.

Adkins has focused on economic and infrastructure, while staking out an anti-development position and the need to improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon.

Lightner, meanwhile, has called for ways to engage young conservatives, and on his website slams politicians “playing musical chairs,” a pretty direct slight at Mayfield.

But Mayfield has leaned on the same message that helped her win a House seat in November and which fueled past Senate races. She has promised tax relief for families and to champion parental rights in the Legislature.

She also has stressed that she has the support of President Donald Trump, who technically endorsed her House campaign last cycle after she switched her presidential endorsement from DeSantis to Trump in late 2023.

Many suspect that move also motivated the qualification fight with the administration ahead of this election. But if DeSantis doesn’t want Mayfield back in the Senate, that friction hasn’t resulted in any massive investment in an opponent’s campaign.

Of note, Mayfield as a sitting Representative has spent much of the last month in the Legislative Session in Tallahassee, barring her from raising money for a campaign. That’s a drawback to running essentially as an incumbent, just as serving in the Legislature for the past two decades has drawn criticism of being a career politician.

The winner of the Republican Primary in SD 19 will advance to a Special General Election on June 10. The GOP nominee will face Democrat Vance Ahrens, whom Fine defeated in November for the seat.


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Donald Trump is ‘fully fit’ to serve as commander in chief, his doctor says after recent physical

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April 13, 2025

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Donald Trump’s cholesterol levels have gone down and he’s lost weight.

Donald Trump’s doctor says the oldest man to be elected president is “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief as the White House released the results of Trump’s physical exam from Friday.

Trump is 78, and his physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, cited what he said is Trump’s “active lifestyle” and said it “continues to contribute significantly” to the Republican president’s well-being. Trump turns 79 on June 14.

In a report released Sunday, the doctor said in a summary that Trump is “fully fit to execute the duties of Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

The results showed Trump has dropped 20 pounds since his last physical as president in 2020. He weighed 244 pounds back then and is now down to 224 pounds.

Barbabella said Trump’s days include participating in multiple meetings, public appearances, media availabilities and “frequent victories in golf events.” Trump is an avid golfer and said he recently won tournaments played at clubs he owns in Florida.

Trump’s cholesterol levels have improved over time, helped by the medications rosuvastatin and ezetimibe.

At his physical in January 2018, his total cholesterol was 223. In early 2019, the reading came in at 196 and it stood at 167 in 2020. Today it is 140. Ideally, total cholesterol should be less than 200.

His blood pressure was 128 over 74. That is considered elevated, and people in that situation are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.

Trump has a resting heart rate of 62 beats per minute, in line with previous tests. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 beats to 100 beats per minute, and generally, a lower rate implies better cardiovascular fitness.

Trump also takes aspirin, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

___

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.


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Florida Trucking Association trying to hook more professionals into industry for work outside of driving

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1 hour ago

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April 13, 2025

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‘Jobs Beyond the Wheel’ program aims to get more workers into Florida trucking industry beyond just drivers.

Trucking isn’t all about driving and the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) is launching a new campaign to get more people into the industry.

The “Jobs Beyond the Wheel” campaign is gearing up as the FTA wants to expand access to a comprehensive workforce in the trucking world in Florida that involves many positions that aren’t all driving big rigs. The FTA acknowledges there is a “critical shortage of skilled workers” and is seeking to draw more professionals into trucking jobs.

“Every truck on Florida’s roadways represents a team of skilled professionals making it all possible,” said Alix Miller, President and CEO of Florida Trucking Association. “The trucking industry offers exciting, high-earning careers, many of which we want to highlight. The campaign includes first-hand accounts from employees about the skills and paths they’ve developed. We want to showcase the dynamic opportunities for Floridians to discover how their talents fit in this essential industry where innovation meets opportunity.”

FTA officials point out that all aspects of the trucking industry supports just about every aspect of commerce in Florida. The new program that involves a new interactive website that demonstrates the multiple layers of the trucking industry and promotes different career opportunities  in the field.

The website is more than just a promotional tool. It also includes career information, training resources, job listings and connections to companies employing trucking-related employees throughout the state. Many of those employees are hiring many positions that are well outside of driving.

Some of the jobs include diesel technicians who maintain and repair trucks. Manufacturing specialist positions are also needed for making parts for repairs. Brokers and customer operations professionals are also needed to manage customer relations and scheduling duties. Human resources, transportation attorneys, safety professionals and public relations and communications experts are also desired to help promote the industry.

“’Jobs Beyond the Wheel’ showcases different roles and people driving the trucking industry — for those looking for a job today, to college students looking at opportunities after graduation,” said Elizabeth Emmanuel, Vice President of Public Affairs at FTA and creative director of the project. “Whatever stage of life, or level of education, we want people to think of the transportation sector as a compelling career choice.”

 The campaign is also funded in part by FloridaCommerce, the state business development agency.


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Jimmy Patronis gets named to key transportation committee in Congress upon arriving in D.C.

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2 hours ago

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April 13, 2025

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Newly-elected member of Congress Jimmy Patronis is wasting little time getting into the mix of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

The former Florida Chief Executive Officer won the special election April 1 for Florida’s 1st Congressional District in the Panhandle on April 1. He was appointed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to a Congressional committee. In his first full week in Congress, Patronis was assigned to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He’ll also serve on several other supplemental panels including the Subcommittee on Aviation, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

“With over 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, our roadways, waterways, and infrastructure are essential to our nation’s economy and national security. During major storms, Florida roadways become critical tools for hurricane evacuation during states of emergency,” said Patronis, a Panama City Beach Republican. “Also, maintaining our roads, bridges, ports, and waterways are vital to ensuring a steady flow of commerce.”

Patronis added he’ll be vigilant in Congress and is committed to fair distribution of funds throughout Florida and all states.

“I am also laser focused on ensuring dollars intended for infrastructure go to the right place, and work to eliminate any red tape that slows project delivery times. I look forward to working alongside my fellow colleagues on this committee to ensure our nation’s infrastructure is second to none in the new golden age of America,” Patronis said.

Rep. Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, is chair of the committee Patronis was assigned to and offered a welcome to the new lawmaker.

“I’m excited for Congressman Patronis to roll up his sleeves and help the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with our full agenda this Congress. We will be working with the Trump Administration to ensure the safety of our aviation system, funding improvements to our ports and waterways infrastructure, and providing the U.S. Coast Guard with the resources they need to carry out their many critical missions, including stopping the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the country across our maritime borders,” Graves said.


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