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Representative Matt Caldwell

Florida Police Benevolent Association Unanimously Endorses Caldwell

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Representative Matt Caldwell received the unanimous endorsement of the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Board of Directors in his bid for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Florida PBA President John Rivera said, “Representative Matt Caldwell is a champion for the men and women of law enforcement and corrections. As our next Commissioner of Agriculture, his intelligence and leadership will serve Florida well. He is always willing to put the necessary work in to get the job done right. We are proud to endorse Matt Caldwell for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture.”

The Florida PBA Board of Directors interviews candidates running for statewide office by offering each candidate the opportunity to appear before their committee. The board consists of elected representatives from each charter and chapter of the Florida PBA representing over 28,000 law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers throughout Florida.

Representative Caldwell said, “I’m proud to have received the unanimous endorsement of the Police Benevolent Association. Florida’s law enforcement community is made up of brave and selfless men and women who admirably uphold their commitment to protect and serve. I am honored that they have placed their trust in me.”

The campaign previously announced the endorsements of Republican House members from the Panhandle, Northeast Florida, Central Florida, Southwest Florida, and South Florida delegations. This is in addition to endorsements from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, former candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture Paul Paulson, and a number of county constitutional officers.

Since launching his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture in May 2017, Representative Caldwell has traveled almost 65,000 miles across the Sunshine State talking to voters, sharing his conservative message and building support for his grassroots campaign. The campaign and political committee, Friends of Matt Caldwell, have raised over $1.8 million to date and have over $1 million cash-on-hand combined.

The campaign launched the #2LaneTravels webpage to highlight the campaign travels across the Sunshine State in his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

Political advertisement paid for by Matt Caldwell,
Republican, for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Caldwell Campaign Outraises the Field in Bid for Commissioner of Agriculture

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Representative Matt Caldwell continues to outraise the field and build momentum in his bid for Commissioner of Agriculture. In January, Caldwell’s campaign and Political Committee raised a combined $106,100. After tallying another strong month of fundraising, the campaign and Political Committee has raised more than $1.71 million in his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and has over $1.11 million cash-on-hand.

Caldwell is running against Senator Denise Grimsley and former Representative Baxter Troutman in the Republican Primary. Senator Denise Grimsley, on the other hand, didn’t break the six-figure mark with her fundraising this month. In January, Grimsley’s campaign and Political Committee raised a combined $86,440 and has $909,459.75 cash-on-hand. Troutman also missed the six-figure threshold and, in January, his campaign and Political Committee raised a combined $79,500.

Brian Swensen, spokesperson for Caldwell’s campaign said, “Matt continues to demonstrate he is the hardest working candidate in the race for Commissioner of Agriculture. As he continues to build momentum, he has outraised his opponents month-to-month, has traveled more than 46,000 miles across the State since May, and has continued to prove he is the principled conservative in the race.”

The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system.

The campaign has announced the endorsements of: Republican House members from the Panhandle, Northeast Florida, Tampa Bay Region, Central Florida, Southwest Florida, and South Florida delegations. This is in addition to endorsements from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, former candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture Paul Paulson, and numerous county constitutional officers; including the statewide association Presidents of the Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Clerks for all 67 counties.

The campaign continues to travel across the Sunshine State as a part of Caldwell’s statewide #2LaneTravels Work Days Tour that highlights and showcases industries overseen as Commissioner of Agriculture. WATCH: Highlights from our #2LaneTravels Work Days, including oysters, timber, cattle, and more!

Paid by Matt Caldwell, Republican, for Commissioner of Agriculture

Caldwell Locks Another Key Endorsement Block in Bid for Commissioner of Agriculture

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Announces Support from Republican House Members from South Florida

Representative Matt Caldwell announced the endorsements of Republican House members from South Florida, in the fourth wave of legislative endorsements announced by the campaign, which follows the unanimous support of Republican House members from the Panhandle, Southwest Florida, and Northeast Florida delegations. Since launching his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Representative Caldwell continues to travel the Sunshine State talking to voters, sharing his conservative message and building support for his grassroots campaign.
Representative Caldwell said, “I’m honored to receive the endorsements of such an impressive delegation. I have been blessed to serve with each and every one of these individuals for five-plus years and together, we have been able to shape policy, fight for limited and accountable government, and ensure prosperity for the Sunshine State.”
The fourth wave of legislative endorsements includes:

  • Speaker-Designate Jose Oliva (R-Miami Lakes)
  • Rep. Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah)
  • Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Miami)
  • Rep. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah)
  • Rep. Michael Bileca (R-Miami)
  • Rep. Jeanette Nunez (R-Miami)
  • Rep. George Moraitis (R-Fort Lauderdale)

Speaker-Designate Jose Oliva said, “I am proud to support my friend, Matt Caldwell, in his bid to serve as our next Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Matt is a trusted conservative that we can count on to serve as a key decision maker on Florida’s Cabinet, protect Florida’s consumers, and fight to grow jobs in our Agricultural sector.”
The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system. The campaign recently announced Caldwell’s statewide #2LaneTravels Work Days Tour that highlights and showcases industries overseen as Commissioner of Agriculture. WATCH: Highlights from our #2LaneTravels Work Days, including oysters, timber, cattle, and more!

Caldwell Locks Another Key Endorsement Block in Bid for Commissioner of Agriculture

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Announces Unanimous Support from Returning
Republican House Members from Northeast Florida

Representative Matt Caldwell today announced the unanimous endorsements of returning Republican House members from Northeast Florida, in the third wave of legislative endorsements announced by the campaign, which follows the unanimous support of House members from the Panhandle and Southwest Florida delegations. Since launching his bid for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Representative Caldwell continues to travel the Sunshine State talking to voters, sharing his conservative message and building support for his grassroots campaign.
Representative Caldwell said, “I am proud to have received endorsements from Republican House members in Northeast Florida. I will continue to work hard to earn the trust and support of voters across the Sunshine State, who deserve a Commissioner that has the leadership and policy experience to lead in Tallahassee on day one.”
The third wave of legislative endorsements includes:

  • Rep. Cord Byrd (R- Neptune Beach)
  • Rep. Travis Cummings (R- Fleming Island)
  • Rep. Jason Fischer (R- Jacksonville)
  • Rep. Bobby Payne (R- Palatka)
  • Rep. Paul Renner (R- Palm Coast)
  • Rep. Cyndi Stevenson (R- St. Johns)
  • Rep. Clay Yarborough (R- Jacksonville)

Rep. Cord Byrd said, “I am excited to endorse Matt Caldwell in his campaign to be Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture. No one has been more effective in shaping policy and ensuring prosperity for the agriculture community in the Sunshine State.”
Rep. Travis Cummings said, “I am proud to endorse my friend Matt Caldwell for Commissioner of Agriculture. We have worked together on issues together throughout our time in the Florida House including pension reform, which was a big priority for the City of Jacksonville.”
Rep. Jason Fischer said, “I am excited to endorse Matt Caldwell in his campaign to be Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture. His leadership, work ethic, and policy expertise will result in the continued success of the department and the industries it oversees.”
Rep. Bobby Payne said, “In order to address the lessons learned from Hurricane Irma during the upcoming legislative session, Matt travelled to our region in the wake of the storm to see the flooding and infrastructure needs of our community firsthand. That is the mark of a true leader and I am proud to endorse his bid for Commissioner of Agriculture.”
Rep. Paul Renner said, “Matt Caldwell has proven himself to be a strong conservative leader for Northeast Florida in the Florida House and no one is more qualified to serve as our Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture. I am proud to give him my endorsement.”
Rep. Clay Yarborough said, “I am proud to support Matt Caldwell. He is a principled conservative with the policy and leadership credentials to successfully serve Floridians as our next Commissioner of Agriculture.”

Matt Caldwell Locks Another Key Endorsement in Bid for Commissioner of Agriculture

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Representative Matt Caldwell announced another major endorsement from the Florida Panhandle. Congressman Matt Gaetz is joining the growing list of conservative leaders endorsing Caldwell.
Congressman Matt Gaetz said, “I support Matt Caldwell because he is a consistent conservative. He has never voted to support things like: Obamacare expansion, the Charlie Crist tax increases, and big brother-style red light cameras. And, he’s the only candidate in this race who has refused to take public tax dollars to finance his campaign.”
Since launching his campaign for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Caldwell has been successful traveling the Sunshine State to share his conservative message and build support for the campaign.
Representative Caldwell said, “I am proud to have the support of Congressmen Gaetz. I worked with Matt in the Florida House and he is not only an exceptional leader but a true, principled conservative. With his support and the support of Floridians across the Sunshine State, I hope to serve the people of the great State of Florida as the next Commissioner of Agriculture.”
The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system.

Representative Matt Caldwell Continues #2LaneTravels Work Days Tour in Chiefland & Cross City

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Representative Matt Caldwell continued his statewide #2LaneTravels Work Days Tour at Usher Land and Timber’s cattle ranch, out with their logging crews, and at the Suwannee Lumber Company’s mill and manufacturing facility, in order to highlight and showcase the industries he would oversee as Commissioner of Agriculture.
As a part of his #2LaneTravels Work Days, Caldwell will work at Florida businesses that are vital to Florida’s economy. Usher Land and Timber is a family business of generational land owners, loggers, and cattle producers in Chiefland, Florida. Usher Land & Timber cattle operations participates in all phases of the cattle industry, from conception to consumption. The company’s timber operations deliver various wood products to six different mills in North Florida. One of those mills, Suwanee Lumber Company, was founded in 1954 and currently operates an impressive 150 million board foot sawmill operation on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico in Cross City, Florida.
Representative Caldwell said, “It was exciting to work alongside cattlemen, logging crews and timber operations teams. As we continue to highlight important jobs throughout our statewide travels, these work opportunities will help me lead in Tallahassee on day one and champion ag-related issues that are vital to economic growth and prosperity in our state. The hard work done in the timber, cattle, and logging industries is vital to our state’s economy and I am thrilled to highlight a part of Florida that most people don’t see.”
Suggest jobs for the Representative Caldwell’s workdays by sending an email to [email protected].

Representative Matt Caldwell Files to Run for Commissioner of Agriculture

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Today, Representative Matt Caldwell filed his paperwork to run for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Rep. Matt Caldwell

Representative Caldwell said, “As a 7th generation Florida native and the descendant of Florida farmers and small business owners, this great state has given my family so much. I am seeking this opportunity to give back and to serve the people of the great State of Florida. I have filed to run for Commissioner of Agriculture in order to continue our work together, fighting for and building upon the important issues we’ve tackled in the Florida House.”
The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system.
Caldwell was first elected to the Florida House in 2010. He has chaired committees related to agriculture and natural resources and has served on committees focusing on issues including transportation, tax policy, redistricting, insurance, banking, and local government & federal government affairs. He currently chairs the Government Accountability Committee, which oversees state policy on natural resources and public lands, transportation and infrastructure, local, federal, and military issues, & oversight of government operations, such as pensions & elections.
Caldwell has consistently been a champion of issues that impact our environment and the agricultural community. He sponsored an expansion of the Everglades Forever Act, which will complete Everglades restoration in the area south of Lake Okeechobee, and was the prime co-sponsor of the Legacy Florida Act, which will permanently fund restoration of the greater Everglades.
In 2016, Caldwell followed the heed of current Commissioner Adam Putnam and then-Speaker Steve Crisafulli who both identified water as the central issue facing 21st century Floridians, by sponsoring the “statewide water bill”, bringing transformational changes to water supply planning for agricultural, urban and environmental needs.
In the 2017, Caldwell championed a positive overhaul of the vaunted Florida Forever program. If passed, the legislation refocuses the program with a priority for conservation easements and permanent funding totaling roughly $3 billion dollars over 17 years.
Matt and his wife, Yvonne, live in North Fort Myers, where they raise their daughter, Ava. A hometown announcement will be held in the weeks following the close of Florida’s Legislative Session.