Paul Paulson Drops Out of Agriculture Commissioner Race, Backs Matt Caldwell

On Wednesday, businessman Paul Paulson ended his bid for the Republican nomination to replace term limited Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and threw his support to state Rep. Matt Caldwell. 

Jacon Engels from The Central Florida Post broke the story on Wednesday.

“Though I will no longer be a candidate for Agriculture commissioner, I will still actively work to make sure Floridians get honest, innovative, and independent leadership with their next commissioner of Agriculture," Paulson announced on Facebook late on Wednesday.  “To the thousands of wonderful patriots on Team Paulson, thank you from the bottom of my heart. While I am sad that I can no longer go forward in our campaign to strengthen Florida as your candidate, we can still accomplish that goal with a credible conservative like Matt Caldwell.

“Matt has the energy, stamina, and integrity to be a responsive leader on the statewide level,” Paulson added. “Furthermore, and most importantly, he has an A rating from the NRA and has promised to vigorously defend the second amendment rights of Floridians.”

With Paulson out, Caldwell faces state Sen. Denise Grimsely and former state Rep. Baxter Troutman in the Republican primary.