Simpson wins second term as Florida agriculture commissioner

Wilton Simpson secured a second term as Florida agriculture commissioner on Tuesday. The Republican defeated Democrat Joey Mendoza Atkins by a margin of only a few percentage points. This outcome keeps Simpson in charge of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The commissioner role is a Cabinet position within the executive branch. The office oversees farming policy, food safety, and concealed carry permits. Simpson has used this authority to push for policies beyond traditional agriculture, such as legislation that banned fluoride from state tap water.

Before taking the state post in 2022, Simpson served in the Florida Legislature. He finished his time in the statehouse as Senate president. According to his state biography, Simpson is a fifth-generation farmer. He owned a large-scale egg-laying operation in Florida for more than 40 years.

Simpson’s campaign website describes the department’s recent priorities. "The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has focused on strengthening agriculture, protecting consumers, and delivering measurable results for Floridians," the site states. It adds that efforts to preserve farmland and reduce regulatory burdens are helping secure the state's future.

The next steps for the new term are standard for the office. Simpson will continue to lead the department’s daily operations. He will work with the other Cabinet members to shape state policy. Voters in Clearwater and across Florida will see the results of his decisions in local food markets and farm regulations.