Jon Maples, a Republican with a 17-year career in finance, is running for Florida House District 87 in Palm Beach County. Maples, a supporter of President Donald Trump and his America First economic agenda, hopes his background is enough to earn Trump's coveted endorsement.
"What I understand from business is that it takes time when you're making some big adjustments in the way things have always been done, so there's gonna be a little friction," Maples told The Floridian. That's ok. That's normal. That means good things are happening."
Trump has prioritized reworking trade deals and imposing tariffs on countries to reclaim American dominance in the global market. Maples said the lack of prior disturbances only led to bad things for years.
"The president is doing his job. What I love is that he made promises to all of us as Americans," Maples said. "He's checking the boxes and keeping those promises. That I can get behind as a man of his word, a man of integrity."
In addition, Maples noted his support for Trump's immigration agenda.
"The president is doing a good job. He's doing exactly what he told us he was going to do, and he's doing it, and I love that," Maples said.
An interesting caveat in the HD 87 race is that Maples is looking to replace Rep. Michael Caruso (R-Delray Beach), and his wife, Traci Caruso, is looking to succeed him.
The Carusos are staunch allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Maples, of course, backs Trump and is MAGA. Trump has already endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) for Florida governor, possibly setting up a matchup with Ron's wife, Casey DeSantis, if she runs.
Could another proxy battle be brewing in Palm Beach? If Maples has the choice, Trump's support will surely be welcomed.
