Former Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles is now running to represent House District 3 with support from Florida’s top finance manager.

Boyles’ campaign announced an endorsement from Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who beat HD 3’s most recent occupant, Joel Rudman, in a Primary for Congress just over a month ago.

Patronis said Boyles would be “ready to start taking out the trash in Tallahassee” the day he arrives at the Capitol.

“He is a businessman and proven conservative that can deliver for President Trump and his America First agenda by standing up to special interests,” Patronis said in a statement.

“Electing Nathan Boyles means the Panhandle will have an America First fighter representing us.”

Patronis’ nod comes three days after Americans for Prosperity Action Florida announced it is backing Boyles in the race.

Boyles is one of eight Republicans competing in a Primary for the party’s nomination in HD 3, which covers all of Santa Rosa County and an inland portion of Okaloosa County.

With more than $22,500 in-pocket as of the latest reporting deadline, he’s raised the most outside dollars in the contest. His closest competitor, Assistant State Attorney Hayden Hudson, has amassed slightly more, but about 40% of his gains are self-loans.

They’re running to replace Rudman, who vacated his HD 3 seat on Jan. 1 to vie for a congressional seat. Patronis, who carried an endorsement from Donald Trump, defeated Rudman and eight other GOP candidates with 66% of the vote.

Others running to succeed Rudman in HD 3 include Rena McQuaig, Wade Merritt, Shon Owens, Joshua Silk, Cindy Smith and Jamie Wells.

The district leans heavily Republican — Rudman won re-election in November with more than 78% of the vote — meaning the Republican Primary’s victor is heavily favored to defeat the lone Democrat running, Dondre Wise.

Boyles, a real estate-turned-solid waste disposal entrepreneur, sat on the Okaloosa County Commission from 2012 to 2024, when he served as Vice Chair. He announced his HD 3 candidacy on Dec. 9.

His community involvements include serving as Chair of the Okaloosa Library Cooperative, Okaloosa Walton Transportation Planning Organization and Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency.

Boyles said in a statement that he “couldn’t be more thankful” for Patronis’ endorsement.

“It’s servant leaders like CFO Patronis who have fought tirelessly for President Trump’s Make America Great Again agenda,” he said. “I’m running for the Florida House to continue fighting for the MAGA agenda and I will help President Trump secure our border, grow our economy, and support our great military and veterans.”

The Primary for HD 3 is on April 1, followed by the Special General Election on June 10.

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U.S. Sen. Rick Scott suggested there is hypocrisy among the American media regarding the government forcing people out of work.

While moderating a panel on “Restoring Energy Dominance in America,” U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican, said former President Joe Biden “declared war” on his state. That included stopping all drilling and exploration permits on the North Slope of Alaska.

“Your left-wing media didn’t cry about that, by the way,” Sullivan said.

“They don’t care,” added Scott, a Naples Republican and Florida’s senior Senator.

The criticism came amid heavy coverage of cuts to the federal workforce under President Donald Trump spurred by recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency.

The panel was part of the Rescuing the American Dream summit held in Washington on Thursday.

Scott led a conversation with Sullivan, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee and Jonathan Evans, CEO of Lithium Americas. They all agreed federal agencies have done too little to allow mining of important fuels and minerals in the U.S.

That’s notable as Trump has largely lifted moratoria on drilling, including eliminating Biden-era restrictions on drilling off Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Scott has historically supported a ban on drilling near Florida.

But the summit touched on exploration more generally. Sullivan discussed a gold mine in Alaska, for example, that had to fight for 20 years to get a permit.

Lee, a Utah Republican, said there’s a misconception that only the federal government can properly protect the environment. He said all states have treasures that their local elected officials want protected and the capacity to do so.

He also touted legislation in Congress now, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. That’s legislation that was filed in the House by U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Gainesville Republican. It would prohibit executive agencies from implementing regulations with significant economic impact without securing congressional approval.

“Bring up the urgency behind permitting reform, litigation reform, surrounding the permitting process, and in my view, especially the need for the REINS Act, the need for our laws not to be written by men and women not of our own choosing,” Lee said.

Lee and Sullivan both called Scott a great ally on the issue. Scott said his priority is keeping the U.S. the most competitive economic force in the world.

“I want the Chinese economy to absolutely fall apart,” Scott said.

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