With a week to go until the primary, state Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid, running for the Republican nomination to be Florida’s next agriculture commissioner, reeled in the support of three congressmen and two former congressmen.
Grimsley announced on Tuesday that Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Tom Rooney, who sits on the U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, and Ted Yoho and former Republican U.S. Reps. Andy Ireland and Steve Southerland were backing her campaign.
“It is reassuring to know we have such dedicated public servants in our nation’s capital advocating for Florida and I am grateful for their support and endorsement,” said Grimsley. “I appreciate Congressmen Bilirakis, Rooney and Yoho fighting on behalf of Florida in Washington, D.C.; and, I thank former Congressmen Ireland and Southerland for the years they dedicated to serving Florida.
“If elected Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, I will work hand-in-hand with our elected officials at the federal level to ensure we remain unified in our mission: fighting to continually improve our Sunshine State,” Grimsley added. “During my time in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, I have proved I am able to effectively work with my fellow lawmakers; and, I look forward to the opportunity to continue to do so.”
“I am proud to support Denise Grimsley for Florida's commissioner of agriculture,” said Yoho, who worked as a large animal veteran before serving in Congress where he sits on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. “She has presented a vision for our state and our agricultural community that I believe will lead to a vibrant and flourishing economy. Her firsthand experience with timber and cattle gives her the background to serve this critically important community because Florida farmers and ranchers don’t just feed our local communities, but the world. She is a disciplined, thoughtful and intelligent candidate who will put Florida first.”
Grimsley faces state Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres, and former state Rep. Baxter Troutman in the primary next week. Current Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam faces term limits and is running in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
