Commissioner of Agriculture

Florida's agriculture commissioner race pits a well-funded incumbent against a little-known challenger. Republican Wilton Simpson, a former state Senate president and egg farmer, has held the office since 2023. Democrat Joey Mendoza Atkins is challenging him, and there is a write-in line. The only public poll, sponsored by the James Madison Institute in late September and early October, had Simpson ahead 50 to 39. Simpson launched his reelection with more than 33 million dollars on hand. Atkins had raised about 61 thousand dollars as of October 16. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's editors back Atkins. The Tampa Bay Times made no recommendation. The Palm Beach Post, which backed Democrats for the other Cabinet seats, endorsed Simpson. Simpson is a key backer of Amendment 2, the farm-equipment property tax exemption on this ballot. He is endorsed by Donald Trump, the Florida Professional Firefighters and conservative and farm groups including the Florida Chamber, Florida Farm Bureau's political committee and Florida Citrus Mutual. The major labor and progressive slates skip this race. Atkins is backed by Democratic Party caucuses, and little public record of his policy positions was found. Research as of October 23, 2026. Sources and the full picture are on this page.