Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2018

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2018

←  2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →

Nominee Nikki Fried Matt Caldwell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 4,032,954 4,026,201 Percentage 50.04% 49.96%

Agriculture Commissioner before election Adam Putnam Republican Elected Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Democratic

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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 is term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Democrat Nikki Fried faced off against Republican Matt Caldwell.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Matt Caldwell, state representative ^[1]
• Denise Grimsley, state senator ^[2]
• Mike McCalister, retired United States Army colonel, Republican candidate for governor in 2010, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 ^[3]
• Baxter Troutman, former state representative ^[4]

Withdrawn

• Paul Paulson, businessman, 2015 candidate for Mayor of Orlando ^[5]

Declined

• Ben Albritton, state representative ^{[6] [7]}
• Halsey Beshears, state representative ^[8]
• Lisa Carlton, former state senator ^{[6] [9]}
• Steve Crisafulli, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives ^{[10] [11] [12]}
• Greg Steube, state senator ^{[6] [13]}

Endorsements

Matt Caldwell

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) [14] U.S. Representatives Matt Gaetz, U.S. Representative (FL-01) [15] Francis Rooney, U.S. Representative (FL-19) [16] State legislators Larry Ahern, state representative (R-Seminole) [17] Bryan Avila, state representative (R-Miami Springs [18] Michael Bileca, state representative (R-Miami) [18] Jeff Brandes, state senator (R-St. Petersburg) [16] Jim Boyd, state representative (R-Bradenton) [17] Danny Burgess, state representative (R-Zephyrhills) [17] Cord Byrd, state representative (R-Neptune Beach) [19] Chuck Clemons, state representative (R-Newberry) [20] Neil Combee, former state representative (R-Polk County) [20] Travis Cummings, state representative (R-Fleming Island) [19] Manny Díaz Jr., state representative (R-Hialeah) [18] Brad Drake, state representative (R-Eucheeanna) [21] Byron Donalds, state representative (R-Naples) [22] Dane Eagle, state representative (R-Cape Coral) [22] Randy Fine, state representative (R-Palm Bay) [16] Jason Fischer, state representative (R-Jacksonville) [19] Heather Fitzenhagen, state representative (R-Fort Myers) [22] Julio Gonzalez, state representative (R-Venice) [17] Joe Gruters, state representative (R-Sarasota) [17] Shawn Harrison, state representative (R-Tampa) [17] Clay Ingram, state representative (R-Pensacola) [21] MaryLynn Magar, state representative (R-Tequesta) [16] Ralph Massullo, state representative (R-Lecanto) [17] Amber Mariano, state representative (R-Hudson) [17] George Moraitis, state representative [18] Jeanette Núñez, state representative (R-Miami) [18] José R. Oliva, state representative (R-Miami Lakes) [18] Bobby Payne, state representative (R-Palatka) [19] Mel Ponder, state representative (R-Destin) [21] Dan Raulerson, former state representative (R-Plant City) [20] Paul Renner, state representative (R-Palm Coast) [19] Ray Rodrigues, state representative (R-Estero) [22] Bob Rommel, state representative (R-Naples) [22] Jimmie Todd Smith, former state representative (R-Inverness) [17] Ross Spano, state representative (R-Dover) [17] Cyndi Stevenson, state representative (R-St. Johns) [19] Jennifer Sullivan, state representative (R-Mount Dora) [20] Jackie Toledo, state representative (R-Tampa) [17] Carlos Trujillo, state representative (R-Miami) [18] Jay Trumbull, state representative (R-Panama City) [21] Jayer Williamson, state representative (R-Pace) [21] Frank White, state representative (R-Pensacola) [21] Clay Yarborough, state representative (R-Jacksonville) [19] Mayors and other municipal leaders Michael Adkinson, Walton County Sheriff [23] Paul Alfrey, Melbourne City Councilman [16] Brian Anderson, Palm Bay Councilman [16] Larry Ashley, Okaloosa County Sheriff [24] Bryan Bell, Holmes County Property Appraiser [24] Harry Bell, Holmes County Tax Collector [24] Gregory Brown, Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser [24] David Earl Cadle, Mayor of Crestview [25] John Crawford, Nassau County Clerk [23] Joel Greenberg, Seminole County Tax Collector [25] Graham Fountain, Okaloosa County Commissioner [25] Bill Furst, Sarasota County Property Appraiser [16] Larry Hart, Lee County Tax Collector [23] Michael Hickox, Nassau County Property Appraiser [23] Wendell Holmes, former Santa Rosa County Sheriff [24] Tres Holton, Palm Bay Councilman [16] Kristine Isnardi, Brevard County Commissioner [16] Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff [16] David Johnson, Seminole County Property Appraiser [25] Robert Johnson, Santa Rosa County Sheriff [24] Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector [24] Grant Maloy, Seminole County Clerk of Court [25] Jerry Milligan, former mayor of Crestview [25] Scott Monnypenny, Laurel Hill City Councilman [25] J.D. Peacock, Okaloosa County Clerk of Court [24] A.J. Smith, Franklin County Sheriff [24] John Tate, Holmes County Sheriff [24] John Tobia, Brevard County Commissioner [16] Other individuals Paul Paulson, businessman, 2015 candidate for Mayor of Orlando [5] Organizations Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida [26] National Rifle Association [27] Florida Police Benevolent Association [28] Newspapers Miami Herald [29]

Denise Grimsley

Statewide officials State legislators Bill Galvano, state senator (R-Bradenton), President-designate of the Florida Senate [30] Wilton Simpson, state senator (R-Trilby) [30] Mayors and other municipal leaders Mike Chitwood, Volusia County Sheriff [31] Darryl Daniels, Clay County Sheriff [31] Sadie Darnell, Alachua County Sheriff [32] Gator DeLoach, Putnam County Sheriff [33] Peyton Grinnell, Lake County Sheriff [34] David Hardin, Glades County Sheriff [35] Mike Harrison, Gulf County Sheriff [31] Mark Hunter, Columbia County Sheriff [33] Arnold Lanier, Hardee County Sheriff [33] Bill Leeper, Nassau County Sheriff [33] Bobby McCallum, Levy County Sheriff [31] Mac McNeill, Jefferson County Sheriff [34] Jared Miller, Wakulla County Sheriff [33] Wayne Padgett, Taylor County Sheriff [33] Mike Prendergast, Citrus County Sheriff [36] James Potter, DeSoto County Sheriff [34] Bill Prummell, Charlotte County Sheriff [33] Scotty Rhoden, Baker County Sheriff [33] Robert Schultz, Gilchrist County Sheriff [32] Gordon Smith, Bradford County Sheriff [33] William Snyder, Martin County Sheriff [33] Ben Stewart, Madison County Sheriff [36] Noel Stephen, Okeechobee County Sheriff [36] Sam St. John, Suwannee County Sheriff [34] Eddie Joe White, Liberty County Sheriff [36] Brad Whitehead, Union County Sheriff [35] Billy Woods, Marion County Sheriff [34] Other individuals Al Cardenas, former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida [37] Leslie Dougher, former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Florida [37] Carole Jean Jordan, former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Florida [37] Organizations Florida State Fraternal Order of Police [32] Florida Professional Firefighters [38]

Baxter Troutman
Statewide officials Jennifer Carroll, former Lieutenant Governor of Florida [39] Mayors and other municipal leaders Lenny Curry, Mayor of Jacksonville [40]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Matt Caldwell	Denise Grimsley	Mike McCalister	Baxter Troutman	Undecided
Gravis Marketing	August 21–25, 2018	579	± 4.1%	18%	17%	13%	19%	33%
Gravis Marketing	August 21–22, 2018	321	± 5.5%	20%	15%	13%	18%	34%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary results ^[41]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Nicole "Nikki" Fried	826,009	58.65%
	Democratic	Jeffrey Duane Porter	223,299	15.85%
	Democratic	Roy David Walker	359,081	25.50%
Total votes			1,408,389	100.0%

Declared

• Jeff Porter, mayor of Homestead ^[42]
• R. David Walker, president of the South Florida Audubon Society ^[15]
• Nikki Fried, lobbyist attorney ^[43]

Withdrawn

• Michael Christine, University of Miami School of Law student
• Daniel Sohn, Palm Beach County Soil and Water Conservation District aide ^[44]
• Thomas Clayton White Jr., Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University chemistry professor ^[45]

Declined

• Katie Edwards-Walpole, state representative ^[46]
• Patrick Murphy, former U.S. Congressman, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016 ^{[47] [48]}

Endorsements

Nikki Fried
Statewide officials Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer of Florida, Democratic nominee for Governor in 2010, Democratic nominee for U.S. House in 2014 [49]

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Nikki Fried (D)	Matt Caldwell (R)	Undecided
University of North Florida	October 23–26, 2018	1,046	± 3.0%	43%	41%	17%
Cherry Communications	September 19–24, 2018	622	± 4.4%	42%	37%	17%
St. Pete Polls	September 5–6, 2018	2,240	± 2.1%	47%	45%	8%

Results

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2018 ^[50]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Nikki Fried	4,032,954	50.04%	+8.69%
	Republican	Matt Caldwell	4,026,201	49.96%	-8.69%
Majority			6,753	0.08%	-17.23%
Total votes			8,059,155	100.0%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

See also

• Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

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. Wilson, Drew (October 26, 2017). "Paul Paulson bows out, supports Matt Caldwell for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
6. 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. 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. Wilson, Drew (May 31, 2018). "Matt Caldwell touts 'tenth wave' of Ag Commissioner endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
17. Wilson, Drew (February 5, 2018). "Matt Caldwell announces 'seventh wave' of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
18. Wilson, Drew (November 6, 2017). "South Florida lawmakers back Matt Caldwell for Ag. Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
19. "Matt Caldwell locks up more legislative endorsements". Florida Politics. October 19, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
20. Powers, Scott (March 27, 2018). "Matt Caldwell announces four more backers in agriculture commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
21. "Panhandle House delegation unanimously backs Matt Caldwell for Ag Commish". Florida Politics. July 13, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
22. Wilson, Drew (August 17, 2017). "Matt Caldwell endorsed by five Southwest Florida representatives". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
23. Wilson, Drew (November 17, 2017). "Matt Caldwell announces 'fifth wave' of endorsements in Ag Commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
24. McAuliffe, Danny (April 24, 2018). "Matt Caldwell racks up Panhandle endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
25. 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. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
27. Nicol, Ryan (June 26, 2018). "NRA backing Matt Caldwell in Ag. Commish race". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
28. Wilson, Drew (May 2, 2018). "Police association announces Governor, Cabinet endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
29. "Here are the Miami Herald recommendations for the Aug. 28 primary". Miami Herald . August 11, 2018.
30. Wilson, Drew (May 30, 2018). "Senate leaders back Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
31. Wilson, Drew (May 21, 2018). "Four more lawmen back Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
32. Wilson, Drew (June 28, 2018). "Two more sheriffs endorse Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
33. Wilson, Drew (May 2, 2018). "10 sheriffs back Denise Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
34. Wilson, Drew (June 11, 2018). "More sheriffs back Denise Grimsley's bid for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
35. Andrea Jahna (June 11, 2018). "Five Sheriffs Add Names to Growing List Supporting Denise" (Press release). Denise Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
36. Wilson, Drew (May 25, 2018). "Denise Grimsley rolls out third wave of sheriff endorsements". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
37. Wilson, Drew (June 27, 2018). "Former Florida GOP Chairs wade into Ag Commissioner race, back Denise Grimsley". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
38. Gancarski, A.G. (June 15, 2018). "Firefighters endorse Adam Putnam, Sean Shaw, Denise Grimsley". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
39. Rufty, Bill (January 23, 2018). "Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll endorses Baxter Troutman for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
40. Gancarski, A.G. "Lenny Curry backs Baxter Troutman for Ag Commissioner". Florida Politics.
41. "Florida Election Watch - Commissioner of Agriculture". floridaelectionwatch.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
42. Powers, Scott (January 24, 2018). "Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter entering Agriculture Commissioner race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
44. Rosica, Jim (May 10, 2017). "Daniel Sohn withdraws from 2018 Agriculture Commissioner's race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
45. "Candidates and Races - Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". dos.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
46. 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.
47. Rangel, Isadora (December 9, 2016). "Patrick Murphy mulls 2018 run after Marco Rubio defeat; but for what?". TC Palm . Retrieved March 9, 2018.
48. Schmitz, Ali (January 5, 2018). "Patrick Murphy not running for office, but advising Democrats and mentoring millennials". TC Palm . Retrieved March 9, 2018.
49. Rosica, Jim (June 29, 2018). "Alex Sink endorses Nikki Fried for Ag. Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
50. "Florida Election Watch - Commissioner of Agriculture". floridaelectionwatch.gov.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Matt Caldwell (R) for Agriculture Commissioner
• Nikki Fried (D) for Agriculture Commissioner