Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has harvested another high-profile endorsement for his re-election bid, this time from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
“The Florida Chamber of Commerce fully endorses Wilton Simpson to continue serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services,” Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson said, calling the Trilby Republican and former Senate President “a champion for Florida’s vital agricultural community and for supporting Florida farmers and consumers alike.”
“A past recipient of the Florida Chamber’s Most Valuable Legislator award during his time in the Florida Senate, Wilton Simpson has taken the lessons of being a local business owner and applied them to improving the business climate for free enterprise in Florida throughout his time in public service,” Wilson concluded.
Simpson, a lifelong farmer before entering public office, welcomed the endorsement from his “longtime partners” at the Florida Chamber.
“We’ve worked together for years to strengthen Florida’s economy, support local business, and keep our state the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family,” Simpson said. “I’m grateful for their confidence and look forward to continuing our work together.”
Before winning election as Agriculture Commissioner in 2022, Simpson served a decade in the Florida Senate and led the chamber as Senate President for the 2020-22 term. The Chamber highlighted his role in passing the Florida Right to Farm Act and said he has continued advocating for the state’s ag sector during his first term.
The Chamber’s seal of approval follows a nod from Florida Citrus Mutual the last week and endorsements from incoming Senate President Jim Boyd and House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison to kick off the month.
Simpson, whose various fundraising vehicles have millions banked, is facing only nominal opposition this cycle — fellow Republican Matt Taylor, who has yet to crack $250,000 in campaign contributions, will appear alongside the incumbent on the Aug. 18 Primary ballot. Joey Mendoza Atkins and KC Gibson, meanwhile, are competing for the Democratic nomination.
