Wilton Simpson

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In September 2021, Simpson announced he was running for Florida Agriculture Commissioner in the 2022 election cycle. In the Republican Primary election, Simpson was challenged by James Shaw. Simpson won against Shaw with 64.7% of the vote. [23] Simpson was endorsed by Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis said of Simpson: “For Commissioner of Agriculture, I am supporting Wilton Simpson, who has helped pass major reform for election integrity, choice in education, big tech censorship, and law enforcement recruitment.” [24]

President Donald Trump, 59 Florida Sheriffs, The NRA, Florida Farm Bureau FarmPAC, The Florida Police Benevolent Association, Florida Forestry Association, Florida Chamber of Commerce, The Associated Industries of Florida, Colonel Mike Waltz, Attorney General Ashley Moody and CFO Jimmy Patronis all endorsed Wilton Simpson for Agriculture Commissioner. [25] [26]

Simpson faced Democrat Naomi Blemur in the General Election and won with 59.3% of the vote. [23] After winning, Simpson said, “As I traveled the state over this last year, what I’ve learned is that Floridians are resilient and willing to fight for the American Dream. I am honored that you have entrusted me to continue that fight with them as Florida’s next Agriculture Commissioner. [27]

Priorities as Florida Agriculture Commissioner

Upon taking office on January 3, 2023, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has worked to secure the future of farming in the state of Florida, encourage the purchase of Florida-grown food, defend second amendment rights, and define agriculture and food security as a national security issue. [28]

In January of 2023, with Simpson’s support, the Florida legislature passed Senate Bill 214, the Florida Firearms and Ammo Act.” This legislation created increased limitations on how financial institutions tracked firearm purchases in Florida. Simpson said after the legislation was signed into law, “The ‘Florida Arms and Ammo Act’ draws a line in the sand and tells multi-national progressive financial institutions, and their allies in Washington, that they cannot covertly create a backdoor firearm registry of Floridians – or else.” [29]

Simpson has also prioritized the preservation of agricultural lands through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, an agricultural land preservation program designed to protect important agricultural lands through the acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements. [30] In May of 2023, Governor DeSantis and his cabinet (including Simpson) approved the preservation of 18,279.38 acres as part of this program thereby protecting the state’s food production capabilities. [31]

Community Involvement

Simpson has become notable in Hernando and Pasco Counties for his philanthropic work in the area. In 2012, the Simpson Breast Health Center opened in Zephyrhills, Florida. The center provides numerous services for women and breast cancer patients. [32]

In June of 2022, the Hernando County School Board approved the construction of the Wilton Simpson Technical College, to be located at the Dennis Wilfong Center for Success. School Superintendent, John Stratton, said of the project: “Mr. Simpson has been a driving force for the technical center. We appreciate his unwavering support for Hernando County schools.” [33]

Another cancer treatment center, The Moffitt Cancer Center, honored Simpson in 2023 by dedicating a new wing to the Florida politician at their new campus. The “W.E. Simpson Concourse for Cures” will be able to provide advanced treatment to the surrounding community. [34]

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Journals/2022/3-7-2022
  2. 1 2 Downey, Renzo (November 17, 2020). "COVID-19, impact on budget dominate Wilton Simpson's first remarks as Senate President". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Meet Commissioner Simpson". Florida Department of Agriculture. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Wilton Simpson, an east Pasco egg farmer, clinches Senate seat with ease". Tampa Bay Times. September 22, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Next move for FRS bill up to Sen. Wilton Simpson". Tallahassee Democrat. April 24, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Latest: FRS proposals dead for session after Senate defeat". Tallahassee Democrat. April 30, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Everglades bill approved, sent to Scott". Pensacola News-Journal. May 2, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Citing cost pressures on homeowners, DeSantis vetoes bill to end solar incentives". Miami Herald. 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Governor Signs Right to Farm Bill Following Overwhelming Legislative Support" . Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ Daugherty, Eric (April 5, 2022). "Wilton Simpson Facing Off in Packed Republican Primary for Commissioner of Agriculture". Florida’s Voice. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Downey, Renzo (January 25, 2021). "'Agritourism' protected under Wilton Simpson-backed bill". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Anderson, Zac. "Fla. Legislature OKs texting while driving ban". The Ledger. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Wilton Simpson kicks off 2022 Legislative Session". Florida Politics. January 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ Torres, Andrea (April 22, 2020). "Here is the list of DeSantis' Re-Open Florida Task Force members". WPLG. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  15. ↑ "What we know — and don't know — about how coronavirus will affect Florida's budget". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Farmer donates eggs to local non-profits". wtsp.com. July 24, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  17. ↑ Muniz, Chief Justice Carlos (March 3, 2022). "Supreme Court of Florida Opinion re: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION OF LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT 100" (PDF). Supreme Court of Florida.
  18. ↑ Powers, Scott (July 5, 2022). "One year in: Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation hails progress in corridor". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  19. ↑ Main, Douglas. "Florida enacts sweeping law to protect its wildlife corridors". National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  20. ↑ Gallion, Bailey (April 30, 2021). "Florida bill expanding school choice vouchers reaches governor's desk". Florida Today. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Child Welfare - The Florida Senate". www.flsenate.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  22. ↑ engage (March 28, 2022). "Parental rights bill signed by Florida governor, while conservatives at Disney note a climate of political fear". The Lion. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Election Results Archive - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  24. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (April 25, 2022). "Wilton Simpson, not Chuck Nadd, nabs Ron DeSantis's backing for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  25. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (March 23, 2022). "NRA endorses Wilton Simpson for Agriculture Commissioner". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  26. ↑ Mower, Lawrence (September 3, 2021). "After Trump endorsement, Wilton Simpson files to run for Florida Agriculture Commissioner". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  27. ↑ Cooper, Amber (November 9, 2022). "Wilton Simpson Wins Agriculture Commissioner Election". Florida’s Voice. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Meet Commissioner Simpson". Florida Department of Agriculture. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Florida may guard gun and ammo sale data under new proposal". mynews13.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson wants to move quickly on land deals". WUSF News. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Florida Preserves Historic Number of Agricultural Operations Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program". Capital Soup. May 23, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Group names state Sen. Wilton Simpson philanthropist of the year". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  33. ↑ Nachin, Sarah (June 24, 2022). "Stand alone vocational school named Wilton Simpson Technical College". Hernando Sun. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  34. ↑ Nusbaum, Lydia (January 20, 2023). "Moffitt Cancer Center groundbreaking honors Commissioner Wilton Simpson". Florida’s Voice. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
Wilton Simpson
Wilton Simpson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.jpg
13th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Florida Senate
Preceded by Member of the Florida Senate
from the 18th district
2012–2016		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Florida Senate
from the 10th district
2016–2022		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Florida Senate
2016–2018		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by President of the Florida Senate
2020–2022		Succeeded by
Preceded by Agriculture Commissioner of Florida
2023–present		Incumbent
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