The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson for reelection, citing his support for the state’s agriculture industry and broader business community.
Simpson, a Republican, was elected agriculture commissioner in 2022 after serving a decade in the Florida Senate, including two years as Senate president.
“The Florida Chamber of Commerce fully endorses Wilton Simpson to continue serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services,”said Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson. “As Commissioner, Wilton Simpson has been a champion for Florida’s vital agricultural community and for supporting Florida farmers and consumers alike. A past recipient of the Florida Chamber’s Most Valuable Legislator award during his time in the Florida Senate, Wilton Simpson has taken the lessons of being a local business owner and applied them to improving the business climate for free enterprise in Florida throughout his time in public service.”
Simpson said he was honored to receive the endorsement from an organization he described as a longtime partner in efforts to support local businesses and grow Florida’s economy.
“We’ve worked together for years to strengthen Florida’s economy, support local business, and keep our state the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family,” Simpson said.
The Chamber highlighted Simpson’s role in passing Florida’s Right to Farm Act while he was in the Legislature. The law strengthened protections for agricultural operations facing certain nuisance lawsuits.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also oversees consumer protection, food safety, concealed weapon licensing and several other regulatory responsibilities. The Chamber said its political operations team will work to support Simpson’s campaign ahead of the November election.
