The stakes are being raised in Northeast Florida as candidates maneuver for position in the battle for an open Florida Senate seat. A statewide Republican official waded into a competitive primary on Tuesday while a new Democratic candidate has emerged to run for the seat.
On Tuesday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam endorsed former Rep. Travis Hutson of Palm Coast over former Rep. Doc Renuart of Ponte Vedra Beach in the Jan. 27 Republican primary.After his big win for a second term earlier this month, Putnam is increasingly seen as a candidate for higher office in the future.
Hutson and Renuart are battling for the GOP nomination in the special election for the Florida Senate seat vacated by former Sen. John Thrasher. The special election will be held on April 7. Thrasher gave up the seat to take over as Florida State University president.
Putnam stressed Hutson’s right-of-center credentials in his endorsement on Tuesday.
“Travis Hutson is a committed conservative who is devoted to helping Northeast Florida thrive,” said Putnam on Tuesday. “I know he will work tirelessly to grow the Northeast Florida jobs base and improve the economy and education system. Travis Hutson is a true leader, and I am proud to support him.”
“Commissioner Putnam has not only dedicated himself to helping Florida’s agriculture industry, but our entire state, and I greatly appreciate his support for my campaign,” said Hutson. “I look forward to having the opportunity to continue to serve Northeast Florida, and I am humbled to
have received the commissioner’s endorsement.”
In the meantime, another candidate has emerged to run for the seat: David Cox, a teacher based in Volusia County who will be running as a Democrat.
Cox took 37.5 percent as the Democrat challenger against U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who won with 62.5 percent of the vote. But on Monday, less than two weeks after the final votes were counted, Cox filed to run for the open Florida Senate seat. Cox becomes the first Democrat to run for the seat.
The Senate seat represents all of Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties and part of Volusia County. The district is solidly Republican.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
