This candidate did not respond to the News Collaborative of Central Florida questionnaire. Using the candidate’s website and social posts, we have tried to provide answers to our questions.
Party: Republican
Age: 60
Occupation: Incumbent Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
Campaign website: wiltonsimpson.com
Candidate Q&A:
Why do you deserve to be elected in this race?
In June, Simpson’s official Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website highlighted his “major wins” in the state budget. Among them were the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which received $425 million to support efforts to save working farms and ranches and the Florida Wildlife Corridor from development; the Florida Forest Service receiving $132 million to support wildfire suppression, mitigation, prevention and detection efforts; and Farmers Feeding Florida, which received $38 million to support the purchase, transport and distribution of Florida-grown food products for the benefit of food-insecure Florida residents.
If elected, what are the most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?
Based on information posted on Simpson’s website, these were among his top issues:
AGRICULTURE: Florida farms are legacy businesses that contribute to our nation’s food supply and billions of dollars to our state’s economy. Laws are frequently updated to recognize changes in other industries, and Wilton has made it clear our hardworking Florida farmers will not be left behind.
As more and more people leave densely populated areas of the country and relocate to rural areas of our state, residential development encroaches on our rural areas. Friction between these competing land uses can lead to frivolous lawsuits that threaten the survival of legacy farming communities. Wilton wants to make certain we continue to preserve existing farms which create critical jobs our agricultural communities have relied on for generations.
ENVIRONMENT: As a member of the Florida Cabinet, Wilton stood with Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2023 to approve the preservation of approximately 18,279.38 acres of working agricultural land through cost-effective conservation easements totaling nearly $58 million.
The preservation efforts will prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity¬†of the Sunshine State. These nine acquisitions are the largest through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program ever approved in the history of the program.
Why would you change about Florida’s regulatory system?
On his website, Simpson notes, “Over the past three years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has focused on strengthening agriculture, protecting consumers, and delivering measurable results for Floridians. From preserving farmland to reducing regulatory burdens, these efforts are helping secure Florida’s future.”
CBS News noted that Simpson was a big proponent of Florida’s first-in-the-nation ban on lab-grown meat, to protect farmers and ranchers. According to Fox 13 in Tampa, Simpson also wants the state to continue efforts to eliminate THC products that are marketed to children.
This Voter Guide was produced by the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida. Questions for the candidates were created by members of the collaborative and shared with candidates to answer. Attempts were made to contact all candidates to answer our questions – many responded but some did not. If a candidate did not respond, we have done our best to provide answers to our questions based on candidates’ websites, social media posts or public comments. For more information about the News Collaborative of Central Florida, click here.