Americans for Prosperity Action Florida (AFP Action FL) has commended 11 of their endorsed candidates as they emerged victorious in key primary races across the Sunshine State. This cycle, AFP Action FL has already sent out more than a million mail pieces, reaching more than 300,00 voters according to its data.
The 11 candidates endorsed by AFP Action FL include Tom Leek (SD-07), Keith Truenow (SD-13), Sam Greco (HD-19), Judson Sapp (HD-20), Richard Gentry (HD-27), Debbie Mayfield (HD-32), Erika Booth (HD-35), Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (HD-49), Brad Yeager (HD-56), Vanessa Oliver (HD-76), and Yvette Benarroch (HD-81).
AFP Action FL Senior Advisor Skylar Zander stated that the group will continue to “help educate voters” and “give them a voice” in local and state politics.
“We are thrilled to see 11 leaders advance through the primaries, getting one step closer to addressing critical issues for Florida in the state legislature,” said Senior Advisor Zander. “Thanks to the hard work of countless grassroots activists who made a difference in key primary races, we were able to send more than a million mail pieces and contact more than 300,000 voters to help educate voters on a winning agenda that will give them a voice in the legislature. Our team is pushing through November and looks forward to seeing these candidates, and others, secure a victory.”
Perhaps the most pivotal race came in the Florida State Senate District 7 race as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) endorsed State Representative Tom Leek (R) while former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed former St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar (R). Leek won by 20 points (47.3-27.5%), but Gerry James – another candidate in the race – received 25% of the vote share, effectively barring Shoar from making any challenge.
As for State Rep. Keith Truenow (R-26) who won the State Senate District 13 primary over grocery store owner Bowen Kou (R), his win wasn’t necessarily a shock for Lake County residents as he was a recognized figure in the area, but the margin of victory was surprising. Both candidates spent over a million dollars in their campaign efforts (from a mixture of their campaign accounts and their committees), but if you had to guess who was going to win based on signs alone in Lake County, Bowen Kou would’ve been the clear winner. He had signs of coalitions such as “Farmers for Bowen” and “Veterans for Bowen” on almost every street corner and major road.
He lost by 43 points.
Local politics certainly is a doozy.
