Grassroots activists from Southwest Florida gathered in Lee County on Saturday afternoon for a straw poll held by the Lee County Republican Executive Committee. Caldwell trounced his opponents and won the straw poll for Commissioner of Agriculture with 91% of the vote, making it 4 for 4 in major markets across Florida. Denise Grimsley followed with 9%, while Baxter Troutman and Mike McCalister received a total of 0 votes each.
With additional victories in Orlando and Jacksonville, it is clear that across the state, Floridians are united behind the principled conservative in the race.
Matt Caldwell said, “I am honored to win in my hometown, which is a testament to more than a decade of hard work as a principled conservative, both as a grassroots activist and an elected official. With the opportunity to fight for the conservative issues we all care about as Commissioner of Agriculture, we are going to continue to run a true, statewide race, from the Panhandle to the Keys, connecting with voters across the state.”
Earlier in the week, Caldwell won the straw poll held by Southwest Florida Young Republicans with 73% of the vote. He previously won the statewide straw poll held by WBOB in Jacksonville with 60%, followed by Grimsley with 24% and Troutman with 16%. In Orlando, a statewide straw poll was held by the Florida Republican Women’s Network where Caldwell edged out Grimsley, 50% to 46%.
