Associated Industries of Florida releases bipartisan list of legislative endorsements

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida, or AIF, released its list of bipartisan legislative endorsement for the 2024 election cycle on Monday.

“AIF is proud to put its support behind candidates who share our principles of prosperity and free enterprise and will fight for Florida’s business community in the Legislature to lower costs for Floridians,” AIF President and Chief Financial Officer Brewster Bevis said.

Candidates running for state Senate and House positions were evaluated by AIF through interviews focused on their reasons for running, key priorities, and positions on critical business-related issues in Florida. This assessment aimed to identify candidates who would best serve as strong and dependable advocates for the business community if elected, according to AIF.

AIF’s endorsements for candidates running for Florida Senate seats include:

• District 1:    Don Gaetz (R)
• District 3:    Corey Simon (R)
• District 5:    Tracie Davis (D)
• District 7:    Tom Leek (R)
• District 9:    Stan McClain (R)
• District 11:  Blaise Ingoglia (R)
• District 13:  Keith Truenow (R)
• District 15:  Randolph Bracy (D)
• District 19:  Randy Fine (R)
• District 21:  Ed Hooper (R)
• District 23:  Danny Burgess (R)
• District 27:  Ben Albritton (R)
• District 29:  Erin Grall (R)
• District 31:  Gayle Harrell (R)
• District 33:  Jonathan Martin (R)
• District 37:  Jason Pizzo (D)
• District 39:  Bryan Avila ®

AIF’s endorsements for candidates running for Florida House seats include:

• District 1:    Michelle Salzman (R)
• District 2:    Alex Andrade (R)
• District 3:    Joel Rudman (R)
• District 4:    Patt Maney (R)
• District 5:    Shane Abbott (R)
• District 6:    Griff Griffitts (R)
• District 7:    Jason Shoaf (R)
• District 8:    Gallop Franklin (D)
• District 9:    Allison Tant (D)
• District 10:  Chuck Brannan (R)
• District 11:  Sam Garrison (R)
• District 12:  Wyman Duggan (R)
• District 13:  Brenda Priestly Jackson (D)
• District 14:  Kimberly Daniels (D)
• District 15:  Dean Black (R)
• District 16:  Kiyan Michael (R)
• District 17:  Jessica Baker (R)
• District 18:  Nick Primrose (R)
• District 19:  Sam Greco (R)
• District 20:  Judson Sapp (R)
• District 22:  Chad “Cracker” Johnson (R)
• District 23:  JJ Grow (R)
• District 24:  Ryan Chamberlin (R)
• District 25:  Taylor Yarkosky (R)
• District 26:  Addie Owens (R)
• District 28:  Bill Partington (R)
• District 29:  Webster Barnaby (R)
• District 30:  Chase Tramont (R)
• District 31:  Tyler Sirois (R)
• District 32:  Debbie Mayfield (R)
• District 34:  Robert “Robbie” Brackett (R)
• District 35:  Erika Booth (R)
• District 36:  Rachel Plakon (R)
• District 37:  Susan Plasencia (R)
• District 38:  David Smith (R)
• District 39:  Doug Bankson (R)
• District 41:  Bruce Antone (D)
• District 42:  Gregory Pull (R)
• District 45:  Carolina Amesty (R)
• District 46:  Jose Alvarez (D)
• District 47:  Paula Stark (R)
• District 49:  Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R)
• District 50:  Jennifer Canady (R)
• District 51:  Josie Tomkow (R)
• District 52:  John Temple (R)
• District 53:  Jeff Holcomb (R)
• District 54:  Randy Maggard (R)
• District 55:  Kevin Steele (R)
• District 56:  Brad Yeager (R)
• District 57:  Adam Anderson (R)
• District 58:  Kimberly Berfield (R)
• District 59:  Berny Jacques (R)
• District 60:  Ed Montanari (R)
• District 61:  Linda Chaney (R)
• District 65:  Karen Gonzalez Pittman (R)
• District 66:  Traci Koster (R)
• District 67:  Fentrice Driskell (D)
• District 68:  Lawrence McClure (R)
• District 69:  Daniel “Danny” Alvarez (R)
• District 70:  Michael Owen (R)
• District 71:  Will Robinson (R)
• District 73:  Fiona McFarland (R)
• District 74:  James Buchanan (R)
• District 75:  Danny Nix (R)
• District 76:  Vanessa Oliver (R)
• District 77:  Tiffany Esposito (R)
• District 78:  Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R)
• District 79:  Mike Giallombardo (R)
• District 80:  Adam Botana (R)
• District 82:  Lauren Melo (R)
• District 83:  Kaylee Tuck (R)
• District 84:  Dana Trabulsy (R)
• District 85:  Toby Overdorf (R)
• District 86:  John Snyder (R)
• District 87:  Mike Caruso (R)
• District 91:  Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R)
• District 94:  Anthony Aguirre (R)
• District 99:  Darryl Campbell (D)
• District 100: Chip LaMarca (R)
• District 106: Fabian Basabe (R)
• District 107: Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo (D)
• District 110: Tom Fabricio (R)
• District 111: David Borrero (R)
• District 112: Alex Rizo (R)
• District 113: Vicki Lopez (R)
• District 114: Demi Busatta Cabrera (R)
• District 116: Daniel Perez (R)
• District 117: Kevin Chambliss (D)
• District 118: Mike Redondo (R)
• District 119: Juan Porras (R)
• District 120: James “Jim” Mooney Jr. (R)

Monday’s endorsements are in addition to a few of AIF’s previous endorsements in pivotal Senate races including the endorsement of Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, for the Senate District 7 seat, Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, for the Senate District 9 seat, and Rep. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, for the Senate District 13 seat.

“We’re excited to share this list of endorsements, which builds on our earlier endorsements of some of our most powerful advocates in key races, including Tom Leek in SD 7, Stan McClain in SD 9 and Keith Truenow in SD 13,” Bevis said. “With absentee ballots for Florida’s primary election hitting mailboxes soon, AIF’s endorsements let voters looking to support individuals who are committed to helping our state’s businesses thrive know who they can feel confident supporting.”

AIF’s Center for Political Strategy, established last year to support pro-business candidates from both Republican and Democratic parties in the Florida Legislature, which the company said significantly influenced this year’s endorsement process.

“With the business community seeing an increasing number of concerning bills being filed each legislative session, AIF’s Center for Political Strategy is putting a greater emphasis on recruiting and actively supporting legislative candidates who will strongly advocate for Florida’s job creators, regardless of their political affiliation,” Bevis said. “These endorsements are a direct reflection of that work that is already well underway.”

AIF does not issue endorsements in every race. In some races, multiple candidates meet their criteria, while in others, insufficient information prevents AIF from determining the candidate better aligned with business-related concerns.

“In some races this cycle, there is more than one strong candidate who would represent their district well and be a great pro-business legislator, and we would be eager to work with any of them,” Bevis said.

Established in 1920, AIF has earned the moniker “The Voice of Florida Business” for its advocacy of prosperity and free enterprise across the Sunshine State. AIF’s mission is to cultivate an economic environment in Florida that supports industry and business growth, development, and the well-being of its residents.