Florida Agriculture Commissioner election, 2022

Elections in Florida, 2022

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← 2018
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
Election details
Filing deadline: June 17, 2022
Primary: August 23, 2022 General: November 8, 2022 Pre-election incumbent(s): Nikki Fried (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Florida
Ballotpedia analysis
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Florida executive elections
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Florida held an election for agriculture commissioner on November 8, 2022. The primary was scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 17, 2022.

Wilton Simpson won election in the general election for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Candidates and election results

General election candidates

• Naomi Blemur  (Democratic Party) 
• Wilton Simpson  (Republican Party) ✔

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= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
 Democratic primary candidates

• Naomi Blemur ✔ 
• Jacques Rene Gaillot, Jr. 
• Ryan Morales 

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= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
 Republican primary candidates

• James Shaw 
• Wilton Simpson ✔

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= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey

Voting information

See also: Voting in Florida

Election information in Florida: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Oct. 11, 2022
• By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11, 2022
• Online: Oct. 11, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: Oct. 29, 2022
• By mail: Received by Oct. 29, 2022
• Online: N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
• By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 29, 2022 to Nov. 5, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Naomi Blemur (D)

Naomi is running as a strong leader who will advocate for small farmers, clean water, renewable & sustainable energy, and ensure equitable access to all the resources of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Naomi Blemur (D)

As someone who sees local businesses struggle to keep their doors open every day, it hurts me to watch big box stores get incentivized to grow and expand within our state. I'm excited about the opportunity to build a system that prioritizes hardworking Floridians. The medical marijuana industry in our state largely is held by a few large suppliers that have bloated contracts with little oversight from the state. Promoting smaller distributers will create a more competitive industry that will benefit the economy, and users across the state, both in quality and cost.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Naomi Blemur (D)

Naomi is running as a strong leader who will advocate for small farmers, clean water, renewable & sustainable energy, and ensure equitable access to all the resources of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Jacques Rene Gaillot, Jr. (D)

Protecting consumers is my top priority. Big corporations should not be able to unfairly profit from price gouging basic necessities like food, rent, gas, and prescription medications. This inflation is harming our families, and we must protect them from this corporate greed now.

Predatory practices need to be stopped, as they are not only harmful to all citizens, but affect low income and marginalized families the most. Regulating corporations who engage in these practices will help alleviate the unnecessary financial burden placed on our families.

I am a candidate who is not afraid to speak out against corporate greed and political injustice. I will not hesitate to stand up for minority communities, and ensure all people are provided fair and equal protections in our state.

Ryan Morales (D)

I will clean all our waterways and lakes in record time!

Cannabis Legalization along with Home Grow and release of anyone arrested for this plant.

Protect Floridians by expanding the background checks on all gun purchases.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Naomi Blemur (D)

As someone who sees local businesses struggle to keep their doors open every day, it hurts me to watch big box stores get incentivized to grow and expand within our state. I'm excited about the opportunity to build a system that prioritizes hardworking Floridians. The medical marijuana industry in our state largely is held by a few large suppliers that have bloated contracts with little oversight from the state. Promoting smaller distributers will create a more competitive industry that will benefit the economy, and users across the state, both in quality and cost.

Jacques Rene Gaillot, Jr. (D)

I am especially passionate about expanding consumer protections in a way that addresses the disproportionate effect that some practices have on low income families. By focusing on the main factors that impact environmental justice, accessibility to basic necessities like food and healthcare, predatory fees, and increased credit rates for low income families, we can improve the social determinants affecting the health and wellbeing of our citizens. Having fair and comprehensive consumer protections in our state is a critical step in helping to bridge the wage gap between the rich and the poor. Only the right person in office can ensure the best quality of life for all of Florida’s people.

Ryan Morales (D)

I am passionate about our environment and protecting our natural resources.

Education is important across the board on many issues Cannabis legalization is important to our future Protecting Farmers and helping them grow.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Ryan Morales (D)

It's the caretaker of the state. Anything that is not related to the police or fire department basically falls in the department of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ryan Morales (D)

I look up to people like Mark Cuban who are good businessmen who actually care about the people. He has proven outstanding leadership and empathy as a leader for me.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Ryan Morales (D)

How To Derail The Trump Train. You can find it on Amazon and Kindle.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ryan Morales (D)

Honestly, Truth, Hard Working and Humility

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Ryan Morales (D)

A well-rounded C-Level expert who is also a hemp farmer and understands all the technology we need to protect Floridians. From experience with working with the FBI and other agencies, Ryan is well versed in Consumer Services and when it comes to Agriculture, Ryan is the only Farmer on the Democratic ticket.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Ryan Morales (D)

Transparency, Heart, and Empathy for not just humans but the planet and everything it provides for us.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Ryan Morales (D)

I would love to be known for restoring and saving all our waterways and Everglades during my term. The environment is key to me and protecting the sacred is #1 for me!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Ryan Morales (D)

The explosion of the Challenger Space Craft in 1984 I was 8 years old in 4th grade was one of the most challenging days for my teachers to explain.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Ryan Morales (D)

I was a paperboy at age 11 and had the job for about a year before I started 7th grade and football

What is your favorite book? Why?

Ryan Morales (D)

How To Derail The Trump Train - a great handbook on how to defeat the GOP across the globe. lots of great info for candidates. You can find it on Amazon and Kindle.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Ryan Morales (D)

Superman, I can help save as many people as possible from the bad guys trying to take over our world.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Ryan Morales (D)

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Ryan Morales (D)

Dealing with everyday racism and classism has been an issue throughout my life and lately its all the hate and misinformation that is ruining our everyday lives.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Ryan Morales (D)

Everything and anything to do with our environment and ecology.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Ryan Morales (D)

This position is in charge of licensing and that includes casinos and corporations donating lots of dark money to lose the process so they can come into Florida and do as they please.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Ryan Morales (D)

not really because many of them are corrupt and already deep in the pockets of the people who make things bad for the people of FL.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Ryan Morales (D)

Definitely, some agricultural background but they should also possess the knowledge of technology and cybersecurity for this job.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Ryan Morales (D)

People who say Trump Won

Past elections

2018

See also: Florida Agriculture Commissioner election, 2018

General election

General election for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Nikki Fried defeated Matt Caldwell in the general election for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikki Fried (D)	50.0	4,032,954
		Matt Caldwell (R)	50.0	4,026,201

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,059,155
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Nikki Fried defeated R. David Walker and Jeffrey Duane Porter in the Democratic primary for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikki Fried	58.6	826,009
		R. David Walker	25.5	359,081
		Jeffrey Duane Porter	15.9	223,299

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,408,389
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Matt Caldwell defeated Denise Grimsley, Baxter Troutman, and Mike McCalister in the Republican primary for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matt Caldwell	34.6	523,051
		Denise Grimsley	26.6	402,525
		Baxter Troutman	26.0	393,098
		Mike McCalister	12.8	193,002

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,511,676
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Florida down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Agriculture Commissioner of Florida, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Adam Putnam Incumbent	58.7%	3,342,392
	Democratic	Thad Hamilton	41.3%	2,356,178
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0%	213
Total Votes				5,698,783
Election results via Florida Division of Elections

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Florida agriculture commissioner official website