At a media event in Ybor City on Wednesday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce threw its support behind state CFO Jimmy Patronis.
Patronis was named to the post back in June when Gov. Rick Scott chose him to replace Jeff Atwater who resigned the position to take a job with Florida Atlantic University. Former state Sen. Jeremy Ring, a Democrat from Broward County, is the leading candidate to take on Patronis.
“I am so grateful for the support of the Florida Chamber of Commerce in my bid for another term as Chief Financial Officer,” Patronis said after getting the Florida Chamber’s backing. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Florida Chamber to further Governor Scott’s legacy of tax cuts and job creation. This will ensure all businesses, both large and small, have a friendly climate to grow our economy. Together, we must keep fighting for Florida businesses and the opportunities job creators provide for the families in our state.”
“From ensuring that Floridians have the tools they need to make smart financial decisions to promoting an environment where businesses in Florida can continue to grow, Jimmy Patronis is on the front lines ensuring Florida continues to prosper,” said Mark Wilson, the president and CEO of the Florida Chamber. “We are proud to endorse Jimmy Patronis as Florida’s next Chief Financial Officer.”
Wilson and the Florida Chamber team noted that Patronis had consistently garnered high marks during his eight years in the Florida House representing Bay County.
While state Sen. Tom Lee decided not to challenge Patronis in the Republican primary, the state CFO does not have an open shot at the GOP nomination. Antoanet Iotova, who was the Republican candidate taking on Democrat Gary Farmer for an open state Senate seat in 2016, has filed to run for CFO but has done little so far.
The Florida Chamber is also backing Scott for the U.S. Senate and state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam for governor.
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