Local Resident Chuck Nadd Runs for Ag Commissioner, Simpson Lands DeSantis Endorsement

Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed state Senate President Wilton Simpson for agriculture commissioner Monday, dealing a blow to Simpson’s surprise GOP challenger, Chuck Nadd of Winter Park.

The move ends the limbo Simpson had been in for months, as DeSantis declined to endorse the lawmaker from Spring Hill even when Simpson was standing next to the governor at an event two weeks ago.

“I am supporting Wilton Simpson, who has helped pass major reform for election integrity, choice in education, Big Tech censorship and law enforcement recruitment,” DeSantis wrote on Twitter.

Democratic incumbent Nikki Fried is leaving the job to run for governor, and so far just one Democrat, Ryan Morales of Clermont, is listed as running.

DeSantis also endorsed incumbent Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis in his tweet. He had previously endorsed Attorney General Ashley Moody, the fourth member of the Florida Cabinet.

Nadd, 32, is a Harvard graduate who flew Black Hawk helicopters and spy planes and served two tours in Afghanistan. A parade held for him in his hometown in 2014 was turned into a Budweiser Super Bowl ad in 2014.

On his website, Nadd called himself a “DeSantis Republican,” saying he was running “to promote clean water and a strong pro-growth, conservative agenda alongside Governor Ron DeSantis.”

In a statement to Politico upon filing, Nadd “ripped into [Simpson] over guns and immigration and called him a ‘shill’ for the sugar industry,” and “contended that Simpson hasn’t been a strong enough supporter of Gov. Ron DeSantis.”

Nadd has not released any contribution filings. He did not return a request for comment Monday.

His campaign also shares a treasurer, Nancy Watkins of Tampa, with both DeSantis’ reelection campaign and the affiliated political group Friends of Ron DeSantis.

Nadd’s entry into the race, and his connection with DeSantis’ campaign, raised eyebrows as DeSantis continued to avoid endorsing Simpson.

The governor was asked at a press conference in Miami earlier this month if he would back Simpson, who was standing right next to him.

The governor laughed and said, “We’ve got some more work to do for the [session] coming up.” He then praised Simpson for working well with him.

But in a special session last week, Simpson bowed to DeSantis’ wishes, with the Senate approving the governor’s congressional map and voting to dissolve Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek special district.

The Legislature will meet for at least one more special session in May to deal with rising homeowner taxes.

DeSantis appeared with Simpson at a press conference in his hometown on Monday, but did not mention his endorsement.

Update: Following the publication of this article, Nadd dropped out the race after Governor DeSantis' recent endorsement of his opponent.