The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Monday announced its first round of 2018 candidate endorsements in competitive races for the Florida House and Senate.
The 60 endorsements are part of a larger Florida Chamber effort to help elect pro-jobs, pro-business candidates that support private-sector job creation and economic growth. Additional rounds of House and Senate endorsements are expected in the coming weeks, the Chamber said in a written statement.
“Electing pro-jobs, free-enterprise focused candidates to office can and does make a difference for Florida’s families and businesses,” said Marian Johnson, senior vice president of political operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Incumbent candidates who were endorsed today were evaluated on numerous factors, including their historical grades on the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card. Additionally, the Florida Chamber Political Institute (FCPI) is currently hosting candidate interview sessions across Florida and is expected to interview more than 100 non-incumbents, to identify candidates for all legislative offices.
“To secure Florida’s future, we need a legislature that focuses on free enterprise principles and job creation,” said Frank Walker, vice president of governmental affairs for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The Florida Chamber’s thorough endorsement process sends a strong signal that Florida families and small businesses can feel confident in supporting these candidates.”
Floridians can learn more about each candidate, key election dates and polling locations by visiting www.FloridaWins.org.
Here is the list of the Florida Chamber’s first round of endorsements:
Florida Senate
- Sen. George Gainer
- Sen. Aaron Bean
- Sen. Keith Perry
- Sen. Wilton Simpson
- Sen. Dennis Baxley
- Sen. Dorothy Hukill
- Sen. Kelli Stargel
- Sen. Jeff Brandes
- Sen. Dana Young
- Sen. Kathleen Passidomo
- Rep. Ben Albritton
- Rep. Manny Diaz Jr.
- Rep. Ed Hooper
- Rep. Joe Gruters
Florida House of Representatives
- Rep. Jayer Williamson
- Rep. Mel Ponder
- Rep. Brad Drake
- Rep. Jay Trumbull
- Rep. Halsey Beshears
- Rep. Clay Yarborough
- Rep. Jason Fischer
- Rep. Cyndi Stevenson
- Rep. Travis Cummings
- Rep. Bobby Payne
- Rep. Chuck Clemons
- Rep. Charlie Stone
- Rep. Stan McClain
- Rep. Paul Renner
- Rep. Thomas Leek
- Rep. David Santiago
- Rep. Scott Plakon
- Rep. Robert “Bob” Cortes
- Rep. Jennifer Sullivan
- Rep. Ralph Massullo
- Rep. Blaise Ingoglia
- Rep. Amber Mariano
- Rep. Danny Burgess Jr.
- Rep. Colleen Burton
- Rep. Sam Killebrew
- Rep. Mike La Rosa
- Rep. Robert “Bobby O” Olszewski
- Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plasencia
- Rep. Randy Fine
- Rep. Cary Pigman
- Rep. Jake Raburn
- Rep. Lawrence McClure
- Rep. Jackie Toledo
- Rep. James “J.W.” Grant
- Rep. Chris Sprowls
- Rep. Chris Latvala
- Rep. Ben Diamond
- Rep. Ray Rodrigues
- Rep. Dane Eagle
- Rep. Byron Donalds
- Rep. Rick Roth
- Rep. Bob Rommel
- Rep. Jose Oliva
- Rep. Bryan Avila
- Rep. Daniel Perez
- Rep. Holly Raschein
