Toby Overdorf endorses Anthony Bonna to succeed him in HD 85

When Rep. Toby Overdorf leaves his seat representing House District 85 this year due to term limits, he wants fellow Republican Anthony Bonna to have it next.

Overdorf this week endorsed Bonna, a Port St. Lucie Council member, in the race for HD 85, which straddles Martin and St. Lucie counties from Palm City to Port St. Lucie.

He called Bonna “a consistent force for the Republican Party of Florida and the people of St. Lucie County.”

“Through his private and public service, he has demonstrated a consistent willingness to serve,” Overdorf said in a statement.

“Today, I am proud to fully endorse and support him to succeed me in District 85.”

Bonna, who was the first candidate to file for the race back in February 2025, welcomed the nod.

“Toby has been a strong advocate for lower taxes and fees, fighting human trafficking, and protecting Florida’s natural resources,” he said. “I am honored to have his endorsement and support.”

A real estate and marketing professional, Bonna has served on the Port St. Lucie City Council since winning his District 3 seat in 2021 and previously served on the St. Lucie County Commission, following an appointment by then-Gov. Rick Scott in 2018.

He holds a degree in finance from Georgetown University and has served on regional planning, public safety, and education boards. He was also one of Florida’s 30 presidential electors in the 2024 Electoral College and chairs the Florida GOP’s State Committeeman and Committeewoman Caucus.

Overdorf’s endorsement adds to a list of Bonna’s backers that includes Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Realtors PAC, Americans for Prosperity, Florida Right to Life PAC, the Police Benevolent Association, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro, State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl and several local elected officials.

All four of Bonna’s Port St. Lucie Council colleagues — Mayor Shannon Martin, Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo, and Commissioners Stephanie Morgan and David Pickett — have also backed his campaign.

Bonna is the only Republican candidate in the HD 85, after his only Republican Primary opponent, Thomas Colter, dropped out of the contest.

Democrat Rainer Wayne Richter is also running.

The Primary Election is on Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.