The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) announced its endorsements of several Senate and House candidates for the 2026 election cycle through a press release this week.
“AIF is proud to endorse candidates who champion free enterprise, economic growth, and policies that strengthen Florida’s business climate while helping reduce costs for families,” AIF President and CEO Brewster Bevis said. “With absentee ballots for Florida’s primary election arriving in voters’ mailboxes, these endorsements will help inform them of which candidates have demonstrated a commitment to supporting Florida’s job creators and ensuring our state remains the best place to live, work, and do business.”
The AIF's endorsements include the following:
Florida Senate
- Sen. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City)
- Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island)
- Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary)
- Sen. Colleen Burton (R-Winter Haven)
- Former Republican Sen. Josie Tomkow (District 14)
- Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg)
- Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton)
- Sen. Mack Bernard (D-West Palm Beach)
- Former Democratic Sen. Lauren Book (District 30)
- Democrat David Silvers (District 26)
- Republican Chris Nocco (District 21)
Florida House
- Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County)
- Rep. Nathan Boyles (R-Baker)
- Rep. Patt Maney (R-Shalimar)
- Rep. Shane Abbott (R-DeFuniak Springs)
- Rep. Kimbery Daniels (D-Jacksonville)
- Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville)
- Rep. Jessica Baker (R-Jacksonville)
- Rep. Kim Kendall (R-St. Augustine)
- Republican Tricia Berry (District 6)
- Republican Chase Brannan (District 10)
Behind the endorsements, The AIF's Center for Political Strategy, launched in 2023, aims to elect pro-business candidates of either party to the Florida Legislature.
“As Florida’s business community faces increasingly complex policy challenges, AIF’s Center for Political Strategy is continuing to identify, recruit, and support candidates – regardless of their political affiliation – who will be strong advocates for Florida’s employers and job creators,” added Bevis. “These endorsements reflect our ongoing commitment to building a Legislature that values economic growth, job creation, and a competitive business climate.”
Known as "The Voice of Florida Business," the AIF has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920.
