2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election

The 2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election occurred on November 6, 2018, to elect the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. Democrat Nikki Fried narrowly defeated Republican Matt Caldwell. This was the only statewide victory in 2018 for Democrats in Florida.

As of 2026, this is the last time that a Democrat has won a statewide election in Florida, and the only time since 2012, when Bill Nelson was re-elected to the Senate and Barack Obama won the state in the concurrent presidential race.

Republican primary Candidates Declared Matt Caldwell, state representative Denise Grimsley, state senator Mike McCalister, retired United States Army colonel, Republican candidate for governor in 2010, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 Baxter Troutman, former state representative

Withdrawn Paul Paulson, businessman, 2015 candidate for mayor of Orlando

Declined Ben Albritton, state representative Halsey Beshears, state representative Lisa Carlton, former state senator Steve Crisafulli, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Greg Steube, state senator (running for congress)

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MattCaldwell DeniseGrimsley MikeMcCalister BaxterTroutman UndecidedGravis MarketingGravis Marketing August 21–25, 2018 579 ± 4.1% 18% 17% 13% 19% 33%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing August 21–22, 2018 321 ± 5.5% 20% 15% 13% 18% 34%

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Declared Nikki Fried, lobbyist attorney Jeff Porter, mayor of Homestead R. David Walker, president of the South Florida Audubon Society

Withdrawn Michael Christine, University of Miami School of Law student Daniel Sohn, Palm Beach County Soil and Water Conservation District aide Thomas Clayton White Jr., Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University chemistry professor

Declined Katie Edwards-Walpole, state representative Patrick Murphy, former U.S. congressman, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016

Endorsements

Results

General election Debate + 2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Matt Caldwell Nikki Fried1 Oct. 21, 2018 WFOR-TV Jim DeFede YouTube (Part 1)YouTube (Part 2)YouTube (Part 3)

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MattCaldwell (R) NikkiFried (D) UndecidedUniversity of North FloridaUniversity of North Florida October 23–26, 2018 1,046 ± 3.0% 41% 43% 17%Cherry CommunicationsCherry Communications September 19–24, 2018 622 ± 4.4% 37% 42% 17%St. Pete PollsSt. Pete Polls September 5–6, 2018 2,240 ± 2.1% 45% 47% 8%

With Grimsley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error NikkiFried (D) DeniseGrimsley (R) UndecidedFrederick PollsFrederick Polls August 16–20, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 42% 40% 17%

With Troutman Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error NikkiFried (D) BaxterTroutman (R) UndecidedFrederick Polls August 16–20, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 43% 39% 17%

Results

See also Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

References

External links Official campaign websites Matt Caldwell (R) for Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) for Agriculture Commissioner