Former Senate Agriculture Chair Denise Grimsley is spearheading a fresh wave of endorsements for Republican Ben Butler as he seeks to represent Florida's 9th Congressional District.
Grimsley, who served in the state Senate from 2012 to 2018 after eight years in the House, led a slate of endorsements for Butler that also featured former state Rep. Cary Pigman and former Florida Forestry Association President Jimmy Beilling.
These endorsements bolster Butler's push to stand out as the agriculture candidate in the Republican Primary. Butler, a dairy farmer and cattle rancher who sits on the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, has made his rural roots and agricultural experience central to his campaign message.
Grimsley, who chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee during her tenure in the Legislature, said Butler's experience gives him firsthand knowledge of the issues facing Florida families and producers.
“As a dairy farmer, cattle rancher, and ninth-generation Floridian, Ben understands the challenges facing Florida's families, small businesses, and agricultural producers because he lives them every day,†Grimsley said.
Beilling also cited Butler's agricultural credentials, arguing that the District's farming communities need a Representative who understands their challenges and will fight for their interests in Washington. Pigman described Butler as a practical problem-solver with a track record of community service.
“Good leaders listen, solve problems, and put people ahead of politics,†said Pigman, who represented portions of Central Florida that overlap with the newly reconfigured Congressional District.
“Ben Butler embodies those qualities. He has built a successful agricultural operation, served his community, and understands the values that make Florida strong. Ben will bring a practical, commonsense approach to Congress, and I am proud to support him.â€
Florida's 9th Congressional District includes all of Osceola County and portions of Orange and Polk counties. The seat is currently held by Democrat Darren Soto, who won re-election under the previous, more Democratic-leaning District lines. But the new map has shifted the political landscape: in 2024, more than 58% of voters in CD 9 backed Republican Donald Trump, making the District a top target for the GOP this cycle.
