Wilton Simpson

Taxes & spending Strongly agrees· stated position

His campaign says he has 'fought to ensure Floridians and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money,' citing gas-tax and sales-tax holidays and cutting the business rent tax by more than half; the Tallahassee Democrat guide lists keeping Florida 'free and affordable' by limiting taxes and regulation among his top issues.

"For nearly a decade, Wilton has fought to ensure Floridians and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money."

Housing affordability Leans agree· stated position

Says he expanded the tax credit for affordable housing and called for dedicating documentary-stamp revenue to affordable housing, wastewater and sea-level-rise mitigation.

"It is crucial that we modernize our documentary stamp distributions to dedicate a steady stream of funding in three key areas of infrastructure - affordable housing, wastewater, and mitigation of sea-level rise."

Immigration Strongly agrees· stated position

Simpson says he is 'doubling down' on support for federal immigration enforcement, saying farmers 'cannot keep having an influx of illegal folks coming across that border,' and has played down the prospect that mass deportations would harm Florida agriculture, saying most farm labor is legal H-2A visa labor. He advocates simplifying the H-2A visa process for small farms. As a state senator he voted for the 2019 'sanctuary city' ban (SB 168).

"In Florida, the vast majority of our agriculture labor is H2A legal labor."

Abortion Strongly disagrees· based on record

As a state senator Simpson voted for HB 5 (2022), the 15-week abortion limit, and for SB 404 (2020), which requires parental consent for a minor's abortion. He left the Legislature before the 2023 six-week law.

Guns Leans disagree· stated position

Simpson has said he supports permitless ('constitutional') carry and would have voted for it on the Senate floor, though gun-rights groups criticized him as Senate President for not bringing such a bill to a vote. As Agriculture Commissioner he oversees concealed-weapon licensing, says the licensing program 'will remain exactly the same' under the 2023 permitless-carry law, encourages Floridians to still obtain licenses for reciprocity and waiting-period benefits, and reports the license backlog is cleared. No statement calling for repeal of the red-flag law or the age-21 rule was found.

"I support Constitutional Carry and I would vote for it if it came to the Senate Floor."

Education & school choice Strongly agrees· based on record

As Senate President oversaw passage of HB 7045 (2021), which expanded state scholarship (voucher) eligibility, and his campaign says 'parents sometimes need alternatives to their assigned school.'

"The pandemic has shown that parents sometimes need alternatives to their assigned school."

Environment & water Leans agree· stated position

Emphasizes conservation of farmland and the Florida Wildlife Corridor (he cites $300 million-plus for corridor easements and a 243% increase in farmland preserved) and opposes development on agricultural land, while framing farmers as 'Florida's first environmentalists.' Wikipedia notes he supported a 2022 measure allowing utilities to charge rooftop-solar customers new fees.

"Farmers are Florida's first environmentalists."

Marijuana Strongly disagrees· stated position

Simpson opposed the 2024 recreational-marijuana amendment, and in 2026 praised a Fifth District Court of Appeal ruling upholding his department's enforcement of THC limits on hemp products as stopping a 'back-door' effort to legalize recreational marijuana. He says he worked with the Legislature beginning in 2023 to put 'guardrails' on hemp products and their marketing to children.

"shuts down a devious attempt to, effectively, legalize recreational marijuana in Florida"

Elections & voting Strongly disagrees· based on record

As Senate President he voted for SB 90 (2021), which added ID requirements for mail-ballot requests and limited drop boxes, and in 2019 for SB 7066, which requires payment of fines and fees before voting rights are restored under Amendment 4; his campaign site says he 'championed laws to strengthen existing voter ID laws, ban ballot harvesting, prohibit unsolicited mass mailing of ballots.'

"Wilton championed laws to strengthen existing voter ID laws, ban ballot harvesting, prohibit unsolicited mass mailing of ballots."

Crime & policing Strongly agrees· stated position

Campaign says he strengthened penalties for protests that turn into riots and supports funding for law enforcement: 'safe communities have thriving economies, schools and businesses.'

"You can't assault a police officer. You can't destroy property."

Gender identity laws Strongly agrees· based on record

Voted for HB 1557 (2022), the Parental Rights in Education law, as Senate President; his campaign says 'only a parent can make religious upbringing or health decisions for a child.'

"Only a parent can make religious upbringing or health decisions for a child."

Energy & utilities Leans disagree· based on record

Wikipedia (citing 2022 coverage) reports he supported the 2022 bill allowing regulators to impose fees on rooftop-solar customers, which Gov. DeSantis vetoed; no statement found on utility-rate oversight.

Trump administration Strongly agrees· stated position

Endorsed by President Trump in both 2022 and 2026 and campaigns as an ally of the administration.