Businessman, former CIA officer and Army veteran Todd Wilcox, who ran for the U.S. Senate in Florida, won’t be running for office in 2018 but that doesn’t mean he’s headed for the political sidelines.
Wilcox announced on Thursday that he won’t launch a bid for higher office next year.
“As we enter the 2018 election cycle I have received numerous inquiries from friends, family, business associates, the press, and even the Republican National Party about what my plans are for 2018 relative to politics,” Wilcox wrote in an email. “I have no plans to run for office in 2018 and any future plans to get involved in politics as a candidate will require my wife Christine’s approval as well as the concurrence of the rest of my family.”
Wilcox made his political debut by entering the Republican primary to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in 2016. When Rubio decided at the last moment to run for a second term, Wilcox bowed out of the race. Since that, he has continued his business activities in Central Florida.
“After ending my campaign and supporting Senator Marco Rubio’s re-election I returned to Patriot Defense Group as the executive chairman to develop and lead a new growth strategy,” Wilcox noted on Thursday.
Wilcox announced that Patriot Defense Group acquired Silverback 7, a Virginia based company.
“We founded Patriot Defense Group in 2006 as a defense and intelligence services company dedicated to supporting those who defend America,” Wilcox said. “Since that time, we have not only survived but thrived despite the great recession and the budget sequestration in the defense and aerospace sector. That sector is now consolidating and we are in a unique position to take advantage of that opportunity.”
The company will remained based in Orlando.
“The acquisition of Silverback 7 will expand our ability to support vital national security programs,” Wilcox said. “And there is no better business friendly environment to do that in than right here in Central Florida.”
“Patriot Defense Group’s decision to expand their Orlando headquarters is a direct reflection of the strength of Orlando’s defense industry cluster and pro-business community,” said Crystal Sircy from the Orlando Economic Partnership.
According to Wilcox’s team, “Patriot Defense Group’s highly-specialized training and operational support to the U.S. government, military, and intelligence communities is made possible by working with the most accomplished and experienced officers from the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Special Operations Command, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State.”
“This is the first of many acquisitions as we grow our enterprise,” Wilcox insisted. “We take great pride in serving those who defend America and creating high paying jobs right here in Florida.”
In the meantime, while he ruled out running in 2018, Wilcox looks to remain active on the public stage. During his Senate bid, Wilcox called for a strong national defense, small government, free market economic solutions and focusing to win the war on terror.
Last October, Wilcox announced he would take over Restoring American Leadership (RAL), a PAC he continues to chair.
“I am as passionate today about the fate of our nation as I was on the 4th of July 2015 when I announced my candidacy for the U.S. Senate,” Wilcox noted on Thursday. “To that end I will continue to serve as the Chairman of Restore American Leadership, the Super PAC that was formed to support my election to the U.S. Senate. From this platform I will continue to influence sound public policy and candidates for federal office. I have also joined and serve as the treasurer of Business Force Inc, an independent non-profit political committee that directly supports and advocates for public policy and candidates at the state level.”
RAL sounded similar themes that Wilcox embraced during his Senate bid.
“Ours is a nation built on the backs of its entrepreneurs and defended by the hearts of our men and women in uniform. We are the envy of the world because we are the land of opportunity and prosperity – and we are willing to defend every man, woman and child’s freedom to pursue that authentic liberty,” the PAC’s mission reads. “The United States of America is truly the shining city on a hill because our foundation is firmly entrenched in the values and principles necessary to sustain our safety and security and our economic freedom. From the shop keeper on Main Street to the soldier on the battlefield, they are the pillars of American success. They are the touchstone from which we must govern our cities, our states and this great nation.
“Our mission is to harness that irreplaceable experience, determination and tenacity of successful business leaders and the brave men and women who have proudly served our nation in the armed forces,” the statement continues. “Our mission is to ensure the American people have the leadership they deserve from leaders who’ve strengthened our economy dollar by dollar and defended our way of life battle after battle. Our mission is to ensure hard working entrepreneurs and brave warriors occupy seats from the state house to the White House in pursuit of the more perfect union our Founders intended us to be.”
