Tallahassee, FL – Today, Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) announced its endorsement of Sen. Jay Trumbull (SD-02), Senate Majority Leader Jim Boyd (SD-20), Ana Maria Rodriguez (SD-40), Brian Hawkins (HD-53), Rep. Bill Conerly (HD-72), and Rep. Mike Redondo (HD-118) in advance of Florida’s August 18th primary election.
AFP Action Senior Advisor Skylar Zander released the following statement:
“Florida families deserve legislators who will fight to cut red tape, lower healthcare costs, and make it easier to build and afford a home. These six candidates have already proven themselves as leaders on those priorities, championing regulatory and insurance reform, energy policy, and health care access. We’re proud to add them to our slate of endorsed candidates, and we look forward to supporting them as they head into the August 18th primary.”
Background
Sen. Jay Trumbull (SD-02)
AFP Action has previously endorsed Jay Trumbull for his work on regulatory and healthcare reform. He has also consistently supported housing and medical licensure reforms.
Senate Majority Leader Jim Boyd (SD-20)
Senate Majority Leader Jim Boyd, who is the incoming Florida Senate president, has been a leader in the deregulatory and healthcare spaces. He played a leading role in Florida’s 2023 insurance reform effort, working to push back against the trial bar to reduce costs for Floridians. He has also backed housing reform and reforms to telehealth.
Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (SD-40)
AFP Action has also previously endorsed Rodriguez for her work on energy and health care policy. As chair of the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, Rodriguez has championed measures restricting local governments from banning certain energy sources and building materials. Additionally, she led multiple health care bills, including legislation last session to expand practice authority for health care professionals and to enact Right to Try in Florida.
Brian Hawkins (HD-53)
Brian Hawkins is a Navy veteran and a small business owner who recently served as a Hernando County Commissioner. In the Florida House of Representatives, he would likely be a strong voice on economic and regulatory reform. As commissioner, he helped deliver Florida’s largest property tax reduction by adopting a strict rollback rate minus 3%, forcing government to live within its means. He also reduced county debt while protecting critical emergency reserves through responsible budgeting. As a small business owner, he understands the burden of excessive regulation and supports requiring agencies to eliminate outdate or unnecessary rules before imposing new ones. Hawkins is likely to be a leader on efforts to deregulate Florida.
Rep. Bill Conerly (HD-72)
Rep. Conerly is a first-time legislator who has already proven himself as a leader on energy and regulatory reform policy. He has helped lead efforts to create a framework for advanced nuclear development in Florida. Conerly also has a strong command of housing policy, as evidenced by his support of legislation to streamline starter home development.
Rep. Mike Redondo (HD-118)
Rep. Redondo has championed healthcare and housing reform, working to eliminate certificate of need in Florida, filing numerous scope of practice reforms, and supporting efforts to expedite permitting and improve housing affordability in Florida.
