2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election

Last updated

2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election
Flag of Florida.svg
←  2014 November 6, 2018 2022  →
  Nikki Fried (cropped).jpg State Representative Matt Caldwell.jpg
Nominee Nikki Fried Matt Caldwell
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote4,032,9544,026,201
Percentage50.04%49.96%
Florida AG Commissioner Election Results by County, 2018.svg
FL Commissioner of Agriculture 2018.svg
Fried:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Caldwell:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Tie:     50%
     No votes
Agriculture
Commissioner before election

Adam Putnam
Republican

Elected Agriculture
Commissioner

Nikki Fried
Democratic

The 2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election occurred on November 6, 2018, to elect the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. Democrat Nikki Fried narrowly defeated Republican Matt Caldwell. Fried became the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida, as U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who had held Florida's Class I U.S. Senate seat since 2000, lost reelection. As of 2023, this remains the last time that a Democrat has won a statewide election in Florida, and the only time since 2012.

Contents

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Matt Caldwell
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
State legislators
Mayors and other municipal leaders
Other individuals
Organizations
Newspapers
Denise Grimsley
State legislators
Mayors and other municipal leaders
Other individuals
Organizations
Newspapers
Baxter Troutman
Statewide officials
Mayors and other municipal leaders

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Matt
Caldwell		Denise
Grimsley		Mike
McCalister		Baxter
Troutman		Undecided
Gravis Marketing August 21–25, 2018579± 4.1%18%17%13%19%33%
Gravis Marketing August 21–22, 2018321± 5.5%20%15%13%18%34%

Results

Republican primary results [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Matt Caldwell 523,051 34.60%
Republican Denise Grimsley402,52526.62%
Republican Baxter Troutman393,09826.01%
Republican Mike McCalister193,00212.77%
Total votes1,511,676 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Nikki Fried
Statewide officials
Newspapers

Results

Democratic primary results [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nikki Fried 826,009 58.65%
Democratic R. David Walker359,08125.50%
Democratic Jeffrey Duane Porter223,29915.85%
Total votes1,408,389 100.0%

General election

Debate

2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture debate
No.DateHostModeratorLink Republican Democratic
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
Matt Caldwell Nikki Fried
1Oct. 21, 2018 WFOR-TV Jim DeFede YouTube (Part 1)
YouTube (Part 2)
YouTube (Part 3) 		PP

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Nikki
Fried (D)		Matt
Caldwell (R)		Undecided
University of North Florida Archived October 30, 2018, at the Wayback Machine October 23–26, 20181,046± 3.0%43%41%17%
Cherry Communications September 19–24, 2018622± 4.4%42%37%17%
St. Pete Polls September 5–6, 20182,240± 2.1%47%45%8%
Hypothetical polling
With Grimsley
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Nikki
Fried (D)		Denise
Grimsley (R)		Undecided
Frederick Polls August 16–20, 2018500± 4.4%42%40%17%
With Troutman
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Nikki
Fried (D)		Baxter
Troutman (R)		Undecided
Frederick Polls August 16–20, 2018500± 4.4%43%39%17%

Results

2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election [53]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Nikki Fried 4,032,954 50.04% +8.71%
Republican Matt Caldwell 4,026,20149.96%-8.71%
Total votes8,059,155 100.00% N/A
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Democratic Party</span> Political party in Florida

The Florida Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Florida, headquartered in Tallahassee. Former Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried is the current chair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denise Grimsley</span> American politician

Denise Grimsley is a Republican member of the Florida State Senate, representing parts of Central and Southwest Florida since 2012. She has represented the 26th district, which includes Highlands, Okeechobee, Glades, DeSoto, Hardee, southern Polk, eastern Charlotte, and northern Lee Counties, since 2016, after being redistricted from the 21st district. She served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives, representing the Highlands County-based 77th district from 2004 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Florida Attorney General election</span>

The 2010 Florida Attorney General election took place on November 2, 2010, to elect the Attorney General of Florida. Incumbent Attorney General Bill McCollum opted to run for run for Governor rather than seek reelection. The election was won by Republican Pam Bondi, a former assistant state attorney for Hillsborough County, who defeated Democrat Dan Gelber by a 54.8% to 41.1% margin. Bondi took office in January 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Caldwell</span> American politician (born 1981)

Matthew H. Caldwell is an American Republican politician and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 79th District, which includes northern Lee County, stretching from Lehigh Acres to North Fort Myers, from 2012 to 2018. Caldwell previously represented the 73rd District from 2010 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Florida, alongside an election to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent two-term Republican governor Rick Scott was term-limited and could not run for a third term, and he successfully ran for Florida's Class I Senate seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Chief Financial Officer election</span>

The 2018 Florida Chief Financial Officer election took place on November 6, 2018. Incumbent Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who was appointed in 2017, successfully ran for a full term, defeating Democratic nominee Jeremy Ring, a former state senator, in the general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Attorney General election</span>

The 2018 Florida Attorney General election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the Attorney General of Florida. Incumbent Republican attorney general Pam Bondi was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Colorado elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Colorado on November 6, 2018. All of Colorado's executive offices and all seven of its seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election. Democrats swept the statewide offices up for election, leaving the Class 2 U.S. Senate seat as the last statewide office held by a Republican.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other offices, including a gubernatorial election, other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The party primaries were held on August 28, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 California Attorney General election</span>

The 2018 California Attorney General election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the Attorney General of California. The 2014 election winner Kamala Harris was elected to the United States Senate during the 2016 Senate election; incumbent Democratic Attorney General, Xavier Becerra won election to a full term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida elections</span> 2018 general election in Florida

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Florida on November 6, 2018. All of Florida's executive officers were up for election as well as Florida's Class I Senate seat and all 27 seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were on August 28, 2018. The Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate seat held by three-term Democrat Bill Nelson in an upset while the Democrats picked up two House seats as well as the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Republican gains in the state despite the trend towards Democrats nationwide were part of Florida's transition from a swing state to a red state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikki Fried</span> American lawyer and politician (born 1977)

Nicole Heather Fried is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the chair of the Florida Democratic Party since 2023. Prior to her election as chair, Fried served as the 12th Florida commissioner of agriculture from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Fried graduated from the University of Florida in 2003. She has previously practiced various forms of law, including corporate law, foreclosure defense, and public defense. Fried has also been a prominent lobbyist for the marijuana industry in the state of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the U.S. Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Florida</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Florida will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Florida. Incumbent one-term Republican Senator Rick Scott was elected with 50.05% of the vote in 2018. He is running for re-election to a second term in office. Primary elections will take place on August 20, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Florida</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Florida, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Party governor Ron DeSantis won re-election in a landslide and defeated the Democratic Party nominee, former U.S. representative Charlie Crist, who previously served as governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican and later as an Independent. No Democrat has been elected governor of Florida since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Miami-Dade County mayoral election</span>

The 2020 Miami-Dade County mayoral election was held on November 3, 2020, to determine the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida. County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava defeated fellow commissioner Esteban Bovo. Incumbent Mayor Carlos A. Giménez, first elected in 2011, was term-limited; instead running for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Florida's 26th congressional district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the 28 U.S. representatives from Florida, one from each of the state's 28 congressional districts. The primary was held on August 23, 2022. The elections coincided with the 2022 United States Senate election in Florida, other elections to the House of Representatives, other elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election</span>

The 2022 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Incumbent Democratic Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried was eligible to run for a second term, but she instead ran for governor of Florida in 2022. Republican Wilton Simpson won the election with over 59% of the vote. Simpson’s victory gave Republicans complete control of state government for the first time since Reconstruction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Jacksonville mayoral election</span> Election in Jacksonville, Florida, US

The 2023 Jacksonville mayoral election was held on March 21, 2023, with a runoff held on May 16. Incumbent Republican mayor Lenny Curry was term-limited and could not seek a third term in office. Seven candidates filed to run, including four Republicans, two Democrats, and an independent. Jacksonville mayoral elections use a blanket primary system where all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, appear on the same ballot.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Bill (May 1, 2017). "Caldwell to run for agriculture commissioner". The News-Press . Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  2. ↑ Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (February 1, 2017). "Denise Grimsley running for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  3. ↑ Schorsch, Peter (March 13, 2014). "Mike McCalister enters Agriculture Commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  4. ↑ Rufty, Bill (June 8, 2017). "Baxter Troutman entering competitive Agriculture Commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Wilson, Drew (October 26, 2017). "Paul Paulson bows out, supports Matt Caldwell for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Anderson, Zac (January 18, 2017). "Lisa Carlton, Sen. Greg Steube weigh run for ag commissioner". Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  7. ↑ Schorsch, Peter (February 8, 2017). "Ben Albritton launches campaign for Denise Grimsley's Senate seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  8. ↑ Call, James (February 8, 2017). "Halsey Beshears not a candidate for Ag Commissioner". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  9. ↑ Anderson, Zac (March 4, 2017). "Carlton won't run for agriculture commissioner". Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  10. ↑ Derby, Kevin (August 18, 2015). "Florida Farm Bureau Honors State Legislators". Sunshine State News. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  11. ↑ Anderson, Zac (July 19, 2016). "Florida lawmakers eye their own futures at convention". Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  12. ↑ Schorsch, Peter (January 9, 2017). "Steve Crisafulli decides against run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  13. ↑ Anderson, Zac (February 26, 2018). "Greg Steube is running for Congress". Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  14. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (July 11, 2018). "Marco Rubio backs Matt Caldwell for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics.
  15. 1 2 Derby, Kevin (October 5, 2017). "Matt Gaetz Remains Active in Statewide Politics, Backs Matt Caldwell for Agriculture Commissioner". Sunshine State News. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Wilson, Drew (May 31, 2018). "Matt Caldwell touts 'tenth wave' of Ag Commissioner endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Wilson, Drew (February 5, 2018). "Matt Caldwell announces 'seventh wave' of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wilson, Drew (November 6, 2017). "South Florida lawmakers back Matt Caldwell for Ag. Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Matt Caldwell locks up more legislative endorsements". Florida Politics. October 19, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Powers, Scott (March 27, 2018). "Matt Caldwell announces four more backers in agriculture commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Panhandle House delegation unanimously backs Matt Caldwell for Ag Commish". Florida Politics. July 13, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Wilson, Drew (August 17, 2017). "Matt Caldwell endorsed by five Southwest Florida representatives". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Drew (November 17, 2017). "Matt Caldwell announces 'fifth wave' of endorsements in Ag Commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 McAuliffe, Danny (April 24, 2018). "Matt Caldwell racks up Panhandle endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wilson, Drew (June 6, 2018). "Matt Caldwell announces Seminole County 'sweep'". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  26. ↑ Wilson, Drew (December 7, 2017). "Associated Builders and Contractors endorses Matt Caldwell for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Matt Caldwell as Florida's Next Commissioner of Agriculture". Florida Chamber of Commerce. October 18, 2018. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  28. ↑ Nicol, Ryan (June 26, 2018). "NRA backing Matt Caldwell in Ag. Commish race". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2018. Matt Caldwell snagged a high-profile endorsement in his race for Florida's next Agriculture Commissioner, with the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) announcing its support Tuesday.
  29. ↑ Wilson, Drew (May 2, 2018). "Police association announces Governor, Cabinet endorsements". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Here are the Miami Herald recommendations for the Aug. 28 primary". Miami Herald . August 11, 2018.
  31. 1 2 Wilson, Drew (May 30, 2018). "Senate leaders back Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Drew (May 21, 2018). "Four more lawmen back Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  33. 1 2 3 Wilson, Drew (June 28, 2018). "Two more sheriffs endorse Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Wilson, Drew (May 2, 2018). "10 sheriffs back Denise Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 Wilson, Drew (June 11, 2018). "More sheriffs back Denise Grimsley's bid for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  36. 1 2 Andrea Jahna (June 11, 2018). "Five Sheriffs Add Names to Growing List Supporting Denise" (Press release). Denise Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  37. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Drew (May 25, 2018). "Denise Grimsley rolls out third wave of sheriff endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  38. 1 2 3 Wilson, Drew (June 27, 2018). "Former Florida GOP Chairs wade into Ag Commissioner race, back Denise Grimsley". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  39. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (June 15, 2018). "Firefighters endorse Adam Putnam, Sean Shaw, Denise Grimsley". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Times recommends: In Republican primary for agriculture commissioner, Denise Grimsley" . Tampa Bay Times. August 1, 2018. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  41. ↑ Rufty, Bill (January 23, 2018). "Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll endorses Baxter Troutman for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  42. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (August 20, 2018). "Lenny Curry backs Baxter Troutman for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics.
  43. 1 2 "August 28, 2018 Primary Election Results". Florida Department of State - Division of Elections.
  44. ↑ Powers, Scott (January 24, 2018). "Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter entering Agriculture Commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Nikki Fried for Governor". December 11, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  46. ↑ Rosica, Jim (May 10, 2017). "Daniel Sohn withdraws from 2018 Agriculture Commissioner's race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Candidates and Races - Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". dos.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  48. ↑ Nevins, Buddy (March 31, 2017). "Rep. Katie Edwards Won't Run For Ag Commissioner; Instead Pushes No Tax On Tampons". Broward Beat. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  49. ↑ Rangel, Isadora (December 9, 2016). "Patrick Murphy mulls 2018 run after Marco Rubio defeat; but for what?". TC Palm . Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  50. ↑ Schmitz, Ali (January 5, 2018). "Patrick Murphy not running for office, but advising Democrats and mentoring millennials". TC Palm . Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  51. ↑ Rosica, Jim (June 29, 2018). "Alex Sink endorses Nikki Fried for Ag. Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Times recommends: In the Democratic primary for agriculture commissioner, Nikki Fried" . Tampa Bay Times. August 1, 2018. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  53. ↑ "November 6, 2018 General Election". Florida Department of State - Division of Elections.
Official campaign websites
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.