Florida Agriculture Commissioner Voter Guide: 2026 Election
Overview
Position: Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Job Description: Oversees the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, promoting Florida agriculture, protecting the environment, safeguarding consumers, and ensuring food safety and wholesomeness.
Salary: $139,987.90
Term Length: Four years
Next Steps: Primary winners advance to a general election on November 3, 2026.
Voter Guide
Republican Primary
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Incumbent: Wilton Simpson (60, Trilby)
- Background: Egg farmer, former state Senate president, and business owner.
- Top Issues: Promoting agriculture, preserving rural lands, limited taxes and regulations, and protecting constitutional liberties.
- Website: wiltonsimpson.com
- Quote: "If you want to prepare a field for planting, you plough the field and clean it out, roots and all... We cannot afford to do it that way." - Matt Taylor
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Challenger: Matt Taylor ("Matt The Welder", 36, Plant City)
- Background: Welder and mechanic, former long-haul trucker, media platform manager, and independent contractor.
- Top Issues: Protecting rural land, supporting farmers, healthy food in schools, conservation, and clean water, protecting consumers.
- Website: treadback.com
- Quote: "Florida’s growing fast, but not in the right ways... I’m running for Commissioner of Agriculture to stand up for the people who work the land."
Democratic Primary
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Candidate: Joey Mendoza Atkins (41, Tampa)
- Background: Attorney and sports agent, former litigation attorney at Barnes Trial Group.
- Top Issues: Protecting natural resources, fighting for regular Floridians, cutting costs for families, making Florida more affordable, and stopping data centers.
- Website: joeyforflorida.com
- Quote: "I'm running for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to fight for Florida families."
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Candidate: Donald A. "Don" Prichard (Age undisclosed, Pembroke Park)
- Background: Police captain with extensive experience in policing and labor relations.
- Top Issues: Innovative leadership for food safety, promoting agriculture, protecting consumers from fraud, scams, and illicit business activities.
- Website: donprichardforfl.com
- Quote: "I am driven by the opportunity to make a positive difference for our state and its people."