TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - Qualifying for the 2018 election ended at noon Friday for those running for governor, the legislature and state cabinet positions.
Florida’s gubernatorial primary will be crowded, with a host of Republicans running, including Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Congressman Ron DeSantis.
There are several Democrats in the field, including Central Florida businessman Chris King who filed his paperwork Friday morning.
King says the crowded field means Democrats will have to work even harder to get their message out and win the governor’s mansion for the first time in 24 years.
“I still very much believe that I have a pathway to win this race, but I recognize that it’s daunting. Democrats haven’t won since I was a freshman in high school," said King. "I would argue that it’s because we have not cast a vision that excites people and that lifts people up.”
There will be no primary in the race for Chief Financial Officer, where current CFO Jimmy Patronis is looking to win a full term.
He’ll face former Democratic state Senator Jeremy Ring in November.
The Democratic and Republican primaries for Attorney General will both have two candidates, and there is a crowded field in the race for Commissioner of Agriculture.
Former State Representative Baxter Troutman is among four Republicans vying for the job.
“Agriculture is a really big deal. It is always in the top three industries of the state of Florida," said Troutman. "It has over a $120 billion impact to our state’s economy.”
In the legislature, 140 of the 160 seats are up for election this fall.
Several lawmakers essentially won re-election Friday, when no one filed to run against them.
