Florida Sen. Denise Grimsley said Wednesday she will run for agriculture commissioner in 2018, becoming the first lawmaker or statewide political figure to announce a bid for an open Cabinet seat or the governor’s office.
Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, will seek to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who faces term limits next year and is widely expected to run for governor.
A hospital administrator and registered nurse, Grimsley said in a campaign announcement that she is a fifth-generation Floridian who has long been involved in the citrus and ranching industries.
"We will continue to fight for a smart statewide water policy, we will protect our environment and blessed Florida resources, and we will pursue expansion of the over 2 million jobs Florida agriculture provides our state," Grimsley said in the announcement. "I offer my broad life experience and an optimistic vision to achieve so much for our state."
The 2018 elections could feature a series of closely watched statewide races, as Putnam, Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater are barred from running again. Also, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is up Mariobet for re-election — and could be challenged by Scott.
President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Jan. 30, just hours after she announced that the Justice Department would not defend his controversial executive order temporarily banning all refugees and travelers from certain countries. (March 24, 2015)(C-SPAN)
President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Jan. 30, just hours after she announced that the Justice Department would not defend his controversial executive order temporarily banning all refugees and travelers from certain countries. (March 24, 2015)(C-SPAN)
President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Jan. 30, just hours after she announced that the Justice Department would not defend his controversial executive order temporarily banning all refugees and travelers from certain countries. (March 24, 2015)(C-SPAN)
President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Jan. 30, just hours after she announced that the Justice Department would not defend his controversial executive order temporarily banning all refugees and travelers from certain countries. (March 24, 2015)(C-SPAN)
Confirmation hearings for Trump’s picks for Education, Health, Treasury secretaries and Attorney General were forced to be rescheduled.
Confirmation hearings for Trump’s picks for Education, Health, Treasury secretaries and Attorney General were forced to be rescheduled.
Thomas Hardiman became a trial judge before moving up to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. (Jan. 27, 2017)
Thomas Hardiman became a trial judge before moving up to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. (Jan. 27, 2017)
Cassidy-Collins is an Obamacare replacement plan introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Dubbed the Patient Freedom Act, it aims to retain certain provisions of Obamacare without a break. (Jan. 26, 2017)
Cassidy-Collins is an Obamacare replacement plan introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Dubbed the Patient Freedom Act, it aims to retain certain provisions of Obamacare without a break. (Jan. 26, 2017)
Two large banners opposing President Trump have been hung in high-visibility locations in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.
Two large banners opposing President Trump have been hung in high-visibility locations in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.
As of Wednesday morning, seven relatively little-known candidates had opened campaign accounts to run for governor, and Orlando Republican Paul Paulson had opened an account to run for agriculture commissioner. Paulson is an Orange County Republican state committeeman.
Speculation has swirled in Tallahassee about candidates in the 2018 races, particularly about potential gubernatorial candidates. But one potential agriculture commissioner candidate, former House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, announced last month that he would not seek the post.
Grimsley, 57, was elected to the state House and moved in 2012 to the Senate, where she represents a largely rural district that includes all or parts of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Charlotte, Lee and Polk counties.
Compared to many other lawmakers, Grimsley is soft-spoken and does not often try to grab attention with news conferences or length floor speeches. But she chaired the powerful Appropriations Committee while in the House and also played a key role in 2011 legislation that overhauled the state Medicaid program.
Grimsley, a hospital administrator for Florida Hospital Wauchula and Lake Placid, is chairwoman of the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee.
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