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Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces Additional State House and Senate Endorsements Ahead of General Election

16 Pro-Jobs Candidates Receive the Business Community’s Support

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 13, 2018)— The Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced additional 2018 candidate endorsements in competitive races for the Florida House and Senate.

Today’s 16 endorsements are part of a larger Florida Chamber effort to help elect candidates that support private-sector job creation and economic growth.

“As we saw during the primary election, election outcomes can be unpredictable, but it’s our job to make sure that voters stay informed about the best possible candidates to move Florida forward,” said Marian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The Florida Chamber is proud to support candidates that support free enterprise”.

Candidate endorsements were evaluated on numerous factors, including the historical grades of incumbents on the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card. Additionally, candidates were interviewed as part of the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s (FCPI) Candidate Interviews. Interview sessions were conducted across Florida and included hundreds of non-incumbent candidates.

Floridians can learn more about candidates, key election dates and polling locations by visiting www.FloridaWins.org.


The Florida Chamber’s latest endorsements include:

 

Florida House Candidates:

Raymond Blacklidge          

Anthony Sabatini

Chip LaMarca

Frank Mingo

Melony Bell

David Smith

Will Robinson

Ana Maria Rodriguez

Chuck Brannan

Dianne Hart

Tommy Gregory

Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin

Tyler Sirois

 

Florida House Incumbents:

Matt Willhite

David Silvers

 

Florida Senate Candidates:

Gayle Harrell

 

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The Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations, aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.

Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces Additional State House and Senate Endorsements

20 Pro-Jobs Candidates Receive the Business Community’s Support

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 19, 2018)— The Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced additional 2018 candidate endorsements in competitive races for the Florida House and Senate.

Today’s 20 endorsements are part of a larger Florida Chamber effort to help elect candidates that support private-sector job creation and economic growth. This is the second round of legislative endorsements for the 2018 election cycle. Additional rounds of House and Senate endorsements are expected before the general election.

“To help ensure Florida remains competitive, we need candidates that are focused on supporting jobs and the Floridians they employ,” said MARIAN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The Florida Chamber is proud to support candidates that support free enterprise”.

Candidate endorsements were evaluated on numerous factors, including the historical grades of incumbents on the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card. Additionally, candidates were interviewed as part of the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s (FCPI) Candidate Interviews. Interview sessions were conducted across Florida and included hundreds of non-incumbent candidates.

“It is imperative that candidates who are focused on job creation and further economic growth for Floridians are elected to the legislature, and that legislators with proven track records of supporting policies aimed at enhancing Florida’s competitiveness are re-elected. The Florida Chamber is focused on keeping the momentum built under eight years of leadership from Gov. Scott going, and these endorsements represent the business community’s view of who we need as partners in the legislature to accomplish that mission.”

Floridians can learn more about candidates, key election dates and polling locations by visiting www.FloridaWins.org.

 

The Florida Chamber’s Second Round of Endorsements Includes:

Florida House Incumbents:

 

Florida Senate Incumbent:

 

Florida House Candidates:

 

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Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statewide business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as crucial to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FLChamber.com for more information. 136 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

 

Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses 60 Pro-Business, Pro-Jobs Candidates for the Florida House and Senate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 7, 2018)— The Florida Chamber of Commerce today made its first-round of 2018 candidate endorsements in competitive races for the Florida House and Senate.

Today’s 60 endorsements are part of a larger Florida Chamber effort to help elect pro-jobs, pro-business candidates that support private-sector job creation and economic growth. Additional rounds of House and Senate endorsements are expected in the coming months.

“Electing pro-jobs, free-enterprise focused candidates to office can and does make a difference for Florida’s families and businesses,” said MARIAN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Incumbent candidates who were endorsed today were evaluated on numerous factors, including their historical grades on the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card. Additionally, the Florida Chamber Political Institute (FCPI) is currently hosting candidate interview sessions across Florida and is expected to interview more than 100 non-incumbent candidates, to identify candidates for all legislative offices.

“To secure Florida’s future, we need a legislature that focuses on free enterprise principles and job creation,” said FRANK WALKER, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The Florida Chamber’s thorough endorsement process sends a strong signal that Florida families and small businesses can feel confident in supporting these candidates.”

Floridians can learn more about each candidate, key election dates and polling locations by visiting www.FloridaWins.org.

The Florida Chamber’s first round of endorsements includes:

 

Florida Senate:

 

Florida House of Representatives:

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Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statewide business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as crucial to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FLChamber.com for more information. 136 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
 

Florida Chamber of Commerce Releases General Election Endorsements

Endorses 79 Candidates to Help Make Florida More Competitive

Tallahassee, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2016) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced 79 candidate endorsements for the November 8th General Election.

“We believe these candidates will put Florida’s long-term future ahead of short-term fixes and will help ensure our state remains competitive,” said MARIAN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We are proud to support these candidates that we believe will help create jobs and economic opportunity in our state.”

After interviewing more than 200 candidates running in competitive House and Senate races, 76 of the 88 Florida Chamber-backed candidates were victorious during Florida’s primary election – winning outright or moving on to the General Election. Expanding on the Florida Chamber’s stepped-up political activity of engaging early and aggressively during the 2016 election cycle is today’s General Election endorsement of 79 candidates.

In addition to its significant digital advertising investments, television advertisements and mail-box mailers for candidates, the Florida Chamber’s 2016 Election Guide provides voters information on all races appearing on the November 8th ballot – from top of the ticket to the open U.S. Senate seat, 27 congressional races, all 40 senate and 120 house seats, as well as four proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballot. The 2016 Election Guide is part of the Florida Chamber’s larger GOTV efforts.

The Florida Chamber’s General Election endorsements include the following:

Florida Senate

 

Florida House of Representatives

 

Congratulations to the following Florida Chamber-endorsed elected officials who have won their General Election already:

Florida Senate

  • District 2: George Gainer (R)
  • District 4: Senator Aaron Bean (R) – Incumbent
  • District 9: Senator David Simmons (R) – Incumbent
  • District 10: Senator Wilton Simpson (R) – Incumbent
  • District 20: Senator Tom Lee (R) – Incumbent
  • District 21: Senator Bill Galvano (R) – Incumbent
  • District 26: Senator Denise Grimsley (R) – Incumbent
  • District 29: Representative Kevin Rader (R)

Florida House

  • District 3: Jayer Williamson (R)
  • District 7: Representative Halsey Beshears (R) – Incumbent
  • District 17: Representative Cyndi Stevenson (R) – Incumbent
  • District 20: Representative Clovis Watson (D) – Incumbent
  • District 22: Representative Charlie Stone (R) – Incumbent
  • District 32: Representative Larry Metz (R) – Incumbent
  • District 37: Representative Richard Corcoran (R) – Incumbent
  • District 44: Representative Eric Eisnaugle (R) – Incumbent
  • District 55: Representative Cary Pigman (R) – Incumbent
  • District 57: Representative Jake Raburn (R) – Incumbent
  • District 71: Representative Jim Boyd (R –Incumbent
  • District 75: Michael Grant (R)
  • District 81: Senator Joe Abruzzo (D)
  • District 84: Representative Larry Lee, Jr. (D) – Incumbent
  • District 87: David Silvers (D)
  • District 88: Al Jacquet (D)
  • District 89: Representative Bill Hager (R) – Incumbent
  • District 98: Representative Katie Edwards (D) – Incumbent

For more information, visit the Florida Chamber’s election page at www.FloridaChamber.com/Election.

Florida Chamber Endorses Five Pro-Business, Pro-Jobs Candidates for the Florida Senate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 13, 2016) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce today announces five candidate endorsements in competitive races for the Florida Senate.

Today’s latest round of endorsements is part of a larger Florida Chamber effort to help elect pro-jobs, pro-business candidates that support private-sector job creation and economic growth.

“Each day, we are reminded how effective leadership that focuses on the long-term can be for our state,” said Marian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We believe that each candidate we endorse will ensure the long-term needs of Florida’s families and small businesses are placed before short-term political fixes and special interest agendas.”

Candidates endorsed today for the Florida Senate include:

Endorsed incumbent candidates were evaluated on numerous factors, including their historical grades on the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card. Additionally, the Florida Chamber Political Institute (FCPI) has hosted candidate interview sessions across Florida – interviewing more than 100 non-incumbent candidates.

Floridians can learn more about each candidate, key election dates and polling locations by visiting www.FloridaWins.org.

Additional endorsements are forthcoming.

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Florida Chamber Endorses Pro-Jobs, Pro-Business Candidates For Governor, Cabinet and Legislative Primary Races

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Edie Ousley, 850-521-1231
eousley@flchamber.com

Endorsed Candidates Will Help Create Opportunities
for Families and Small Business

TALLAHASSEE, FL. (July 22, 2014) – Following a comprehensive and deliberative candidate selection process, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today announces candidate endorsements for Governor and Cabinet positions as well as legislative primary races. The endorsements result from one of Florida’s most thorough and well-respected pro-business, pro-jobs candidate review processes.

“Good government can only be obtained by electing candidates who understand Florida’s future needs and who are not afraid to make bold decisions that will get us there,” said Marian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Interviewing the candidates and finding where they stand on those issues is an absolute necessity before you can make an informed decision about whom to support. Our interview process is thorough and intense, and allows us to understand a candidate’s position before we make an endorsement.”

The Florida Chamber Political Institute (FCPI) held five candidate interview sessions across the state and interviewed more than 100 non-incumbent candidates – in addition to reviewing each candidate’s completed questionnaire. Incumbent candidates were evaluated on numerous factors, including legislator grades on the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card.

“To create a stable and predictable business climate that helps to create private-sector jobs and grow our state’s economy, we need a legislature that focuses on free enterprise principles and solutions,” said David Hart, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber. “We are pleased to support these pro-jobs, pro-business candidates and look forward to mobilizing our employer members and local chamber of commerce partners as well as their more than three million employees with far-reaching grassroots advocacy efforts.”

Below is list of Florida Chamber candidate endorsements for Governor and Cabinet positions as well as legislative primary races.

Governor:

  • Rick Scott

 

Florida Cabinet:

  • Attorney General – Pam Bondi
  • Commissioner of Agriculture – Adam Putnam
  • Chief Financial Officer – Jeff Atwater

 

SENATE – Primary Election Endorsements:

  • John Thrasher (R) – SD 06
  • Thad Altman (R) – SD 16
  • Jack Latvala (R) – SD 20
  • Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) – SD – 30
  • Joe Negron (R) – SD 32
  • Oscar Braynon (D) – SD – 36

 

HOUSE – Primary Election Endorsements:

  • Doug Broxson (R) – HD 03
  • Brad Drake (R) – HD 05
  • Jay Trumbull (R) – HD 06
  • Jason Brodeur (R) – HD 28
  • Robert Cortes (R) – HD 30
  • Terri Seefeldt (R) – HD 31
  • Colleen Burton (R) – HD 40
  • Ricardo Rangel (D) – HD 43
  • Eric Eisnaugle (R) – HD 44
  • Rene Plasencia (R) – HD 49
  • Tom Goodson (R) – HD 50
  • Ed Narain (D) – HD 61
  • James Grant (R) – HD 64
  • Chris Sprowls (R) – HD 65
  • Chris Latvala (R) – HD 67
  • Bill Young (R) – HD 68
  • Julio Gonzalez (R) – HD 74
  • Dane Eagle (R) – HD 77
  • Matt Caldwell (R) – HD 79
  • Kevin Rader (D) – HD 81
  • Ben Sorensen (D) – HD 100
  • Michael Joseph (D) – HD 107
  • Bryan Avila (R) – HD 111

The Florida Chamber will announce additional endorsements in the coming days.

 

 

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Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statewide business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations, aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.

© 2021 Florida Chamber of Commerce, All Rights Reserved

Florida Chamber of Commerce

136 S. Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301

(850) 521-1200

info@flchamber.com