Corcoran Endorses Simpson for Agriculture Commissioner

Senate President Wilton Simpson (R) has scored another support in Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran (R). Corcoran, who called Simpson a person who ‘delivers,’ recently stepped down as Education Commissioner and was replaced by state Senator Manny Diaz, Jr. (R).

In a primary race he seems all but poised to win in August, Simpson has amassed a considerable amount of support from high-profile political figures in the state. Corcoran, who recently stepped down as Education Commissioner is also a former Speaker of the House.

“As a former Speaker of the Florida House, I know first hand how much dedication it takes to move the needle on the biggest challenges facing our state,” said Corcoran in a statement.

“Bureaucratic red tape, complacency and out-of-touch thinking can stop progress in its tracks, but not on Wilton’s watch,” Corcoran added. Corcoran expressed, adding that “As Education Commissioner, I had a front row seat to Wilton Simpson’s refusal to accept incremental change because good enough isn’t enough for Wilton.”

Corcoran commented that under Simpson’s “watch, families are benefitting from the largest expansion of school choice in Florida history and an emphasis on every child getting a world class education.”

“Lots of people talk about what’s broken, but Wilton actually delivers,” Corcoran concluded.

Since announcing his candidacy, Simpson has been endorsed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), President Donald Trump (R), and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) among other political figures and organizations.

The Agricultural Commissioner position is being vacated as the current Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) is vying for the gubernatorial post.

Simpson faces James Shaw (R) in the primary race, and Simpson carries an advantage in fundraising efforts, having almost $2 million that have been collected thus far. Moreover, PACs he controls have also raised significant amounts of money.

After stepping down from the Education Commissioner role, Corcoran was appointed to the Board of Governors of the State University System.