Spring Hill Republican Blaise Ingoglia won his bid to assume the Florida Senate seat for District 11. Meanwhile, former State Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) was elected to serve as Florida’s next Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He succeeds current commissioner Nikki Fried.
A life-long farmer, Simpson served in the Florida Senate representing District 10 since 2016 and was elected president of that body on Oct. 15, 2019. He termed out on Nov. 8, 2022.
In his new post, Simpson succeeds current Department of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
In June, the Hernando County School Board announced that the stand-alone technical college to be built adjacent to the Brooksville Tampa-Bay Regional Airport to be named in Simpson’s honor. The college is slated open in March 2025.
Simpson credited his election to Floridians’ willingness to “show up for economic freedom.”
“As I traveled the state over this last year, what I’ve learned is that Floridians are resilient and willing to fight for the American Dream,” he said. “I am honored that they have entrusted me to continue that fight with them as Florida’s next Agriculture Commissioner.”
Also on Nov. 8, Rep. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) was chosen to represent Florida District (SD) 11 in the State’s Senate over challenger Brian Patrick Moore. SD11 encompasses Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, and portions of Pasco counties.
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2014, Ingoglia represented State House District 35 which includes portions of Hernando County. He termed out in 2022.
He currently serves as chairman of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee.
Ingoglia vowed to work with just re-elected Gov Ron DeSantis on legislation aimed at Florida’s economy and security.
“I ran on a platform of stopping illegal immigration, securing our elections and saving our economy,” Ingoglia said. “I promise to continue to work hard and fight side-by-side with Governor DeSantis to take on the Left and their woke ideology.”
Both men will assume their posts in January.
