© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
LIVE BLOG: Updates on Hurricane Milton

Florida Matters: 2018 Race For Commissioner Of Agriculture

WLRN

The race for governor is not the only statewide political contest during primary season. Republicans and Democrats will also choose their favorite candidate to run for the state's top consumer watchdog: the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Florida Matters is continuing our special two-part program this week to bring you conversations with many of the candidates running for two important state offices: Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture.

In the first half of this show we hear from the three Democratic candidates competing in the Commissioner of Agriculture primary: Ft. Lauderdale lobbyist Nikki Fried, South Florida Audubon Society President Roy David Walker of Broward County and Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter.

In the second half we hear from two Republican candidates, State Sen. Denise Grimsley of Sebring and State Rep. Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers.

Their two primary opponents, former U.S. Army Col. Mike McCalister and former State Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven, were invited to speak but could not make the scheduled interview.

All candidates were interviewed by Tom Hudson with NPR member station WLRN in Miami and the editorial page editors of the Miami Herald, South Florida Sun Sentinel and Palm Beach Post.

Hear the candidates give their views on restoring rights to felons and how to enforce the "Do Not Call" list on our podcast Florida Matters More.

The first episode in our special two-part program features candidates running for Florida Attorney General. Listen to their conversation about issues like felon voting rights, the state's Stand Your Ground law and lawsuits against opioid manufacturers.

Tune into WUSF 89.7 Tuesday Aug. 28 for live coverage of Florida's Primary Election. Join us at 8 p.m. for an hour-long Florida Matters election special.

I cover health care for WUSF and the statewide journalism collaborative Health News Florida. I’m passionate about highlighting community efforts to improve the quality of care in our state and make it more accessible to all Floridians. I’m also committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to prioritize the health needs of the people they serve.
Robin Sussingham was Senior Editor at WUSF until September 2020.
In a journalism career covering news from high global finance to neighborhood infrastructure, Tom Hudson is the Vice President of News and Special Correspondent for WLRN. He hosts and produces the Sunshine Economy and anchors the Florida Roundup in addition to leading the organization's news engagement strategy.
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.