Former Speaker of the Florida House Steve Crisafulli announced today he will not run for Commissioner of Agriculture in 2018.
The Republican from Merritt Island was widely expected to mount a statewide bid for the cabinet post, but like his predecessor in the Speakership — Will Weatherford — family priorities won out.
“After much consideration and prayer, I have decided not to run for Commissioner of Agriculture in 2018,” said Crisafulli in a release first provided to FloridaPolitics.com.
A telegenic politician whose family has deep roots to Florida’s agriculture community, Crisafulli was expected to easily win the Republican nomination to succeed Adam Putnam. He has raised more than $2 million for his political committees, Growing Florida’s Future and Growing Sustainable Florida.
With Crisafulli not running, the field for Ag. Commish — both figuratively and literally — is wide open.
As for any future plans, Crisafulli said he does not expect to land a job in the Donald Trump administration, as some have speculated.
“I plan to remain politically active, but after years of travel to fulfill my obligations to the House Republican Conference and as Speaker of the Florida House, there is nothing I want more than to spend time with my Kristen and our daughters as they finish out their final years of being at home before going off to college.”
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