Joey Mendoza Atkins
Atkins is a Miami trial attorney and former sports agent. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law (2013) and a master's degree in environmental management, and has done policy work with the UN Global Compact. He worked at a legal-aid foundation representing migrant farmworkers and DACA recipients. He won the Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary with about 60% over Donald 'Don' Prichard; his campaign reported raising $1,685 and loaning itself $8,480 as of early August 2026.
How they got on the ballot: Won Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary with 60.3% over Donald A. 'Don' Prichard, 39.7% (Florida Politics; WUWF).
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Environment & water Strongly agrees· stated position
Atkins says he is running to 'protect and preserve Florida's natural resources' and that government needs systems that look at long-term issues such as water-table and aquifer preservation. He calls for a moratorium on data centers and a rollback of legislation that shields sugar growers from air-pollution lawsuits.
"I'm running for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to fight for Florida families."
Growth & development Leans agree· stated position
Atkins calls for a moratorium on new data centers and says keeping them out of communities will be a top priority; he has not been found to address impact fees, density limits or local control more broadly.
No public position found on 16 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Property taxes, Property insurance, Housing affordability, Immigration, Abortion, Guns, Health care, Education & school choice, Marijuana, Elections & voting, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, Trump administration, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Immigration: No explicit position on enforcement or deportation found as of Sept 2026; his biography emphasizes legal aid to migrant farmworkers and DACA recipients, and he says agriculture 'is about people, it's about the families who harvest our food.'
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Legal aid for migrant farmworkers — His campaign biography emphasizes his work providing legal aid to migrant farmworkers; no detailed platform was located in accessible sources.
- Moratorium on data centers — Says data centers will be a defining issue in November and that keeping them out of communities would be a top priority as commissioner; joined a Democratic 'Data Center Donalds' tour in Pinellas County.
- Repeal of liability shield for sugar growers' air pollution — Calls for rolling back legislation that shields sugar growers from air-pollution lawsuits.
- Special interests and cost of living — Campaign site says he is running to 'take on the corruption of multi-millionaire politician Wilton Simpson,' to 'fight for regular Floridians against special interests, and cut costs for Florida families.'
- Suspend the state gas tax and fight price gouging — Consumer-protection plank: 'Suspend the state gas tax,' 'Fight price gouging,' 'Increase transparency' and 'Hold bad actors accountable.'
- Expand 'Fresh From Florida' and protect the food supply — Says he would 'Expand and Strengthen' the Fresh From Florida marketing program and 'Protect our food supply.'
- Polluters pay and the Blue-Green Algae Task Force — Would 'Hold Polluters Directly Responsible for Cleanup' and implement the recommendations of the state's Blue-Green Algae Task Force.
- Emergency preparedness and first responders — Lists strengthening emergency preparedness and supporting firefighters and first responders (the department runs the Florida Forest Service).
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Age 41; trial attorney; holds a master's degree in environmental management; did legal-aid work representing migrant farmworkers and DACA recipients; raised under $9,000 through late July 2026.
Endorsements (as reported)
- Florida Democratic Agricultural Caucus