TAMPA, FL – Americans for Prosperity Action today announced its endorsement of Josie Tomkow in the special election for Senate District 14.

AFP Action will deploy its strong grassroots network to educate and mobilize voters leading up the March 24 general special election.

AFP Action senior advisor for Florida Skylar Zander issued the following statement:

“As a state representative, Tomkow has been a strong ally on healthcare issues from pushing for scope of practice reform to expanding medical access. She has also fought against overregulation of education savings accounts and unnecessary pension reforms. We are excited to support Tomkow and look forward to using our vast grassroots capabilities on her behalf.”

POLK CITY, FL – Today, Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) announced its endorsement of Hilary Holley in the special election for District 51.

Leading up to the March 24 general special election, AFP Action will utilize its strong grassroots presence, digital advertising, and mail to educate and mobilize voters in support of Holley.

AFP Action senior advisor for Florida Skylar Zander released the following statement:

“As the executive director of Florida FFA (formerly the Future Farmers of America), Hilary Holley will surely be a strong voice in the Florida House for expanding agricultural career and technical education opportunities, while driving business deregulation and reducing government red tape. We are excited to support Hilary and look forward to deploying our grassroots capabilities on her behalf.”

Tallahassee, FL – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced its endorsement of Jake Johansson (SD-08), Lauren Melo (SD-28), Jon Fay (HD-02), Terrance Freeman (HD-12), Chad Johnson (HD-22), Erika Booth (HD-35), Emily Duda Buckley (HD-38), Erin Huntley (HD-45), Samantha Scott (HD-52), Ryan Gill (HD-68), Liesa Priddy (HD-82), Anthony Bonna (HD-85), and Dr. Eric Stelnicki (HD-100) for election to the Florida House and Senate. Statewide primary elections will be held on August 18, 2026.

AFP Action senior advisor for Florida Skylar Zander issued the following statement:

“Floridians deserve to be represented by officials who are passionate about making the lives of all Floridians better. These candidates will do just that, championing policies like deregulation, school choice, and housing policy reforms. We look forward to mobilizing our grassroots network to ensure these principled candidates are elected come November.”

Background:

Jake Johansson (SD-08)

Jake Johansson, who has spent more than a decade in local government, will likely bring his focus on public safety to the Florida Senate. A current Volusia County Councilman, Johansson has consistently fully funded local law enforcement. He is also focused on addressing Florida’s insurance issues and on taking general deregulatory actions.

Lauren Melo (SD-28)

Lauren Melo is a strong leader on key issues such as energy, labor, and healthcare. As a current member of the Florida House of Representatives, she has led on policies that prevent local government from banning any one type of energy. Additionally, she has led on legislation to protect independent contractors and small business owners during emergencies. As a member of the House Health and Human Services committee, she has also championed expanding telehealth access. She will bring these priorities to the Florida Senate.

Jon Fay (HD-02)

A 24-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, Jon Fay will bring this experience to the Florida House of Representatives. He is sure to be a strong supporter of Florida’s veterans and active-duty military community. His legislative agenda also includes lowering the cost of living for Florida families, driven by insurance reforms and free-market solutions for housing.

Terrance Freeman (HD-12)

Terrance Freeman’s professional background and time on the Jacksonville City Council suggest he will be a key partner on education, regulatory, and spending policies. As a council member at-large, Freeman expanded apprenticeships and workforce development programs, partnered with Governor DeSantis to implement the DOGE program within the Jacksonville city government, and successfully led efforts to reduce property tax rates and curb unauthorized spending.

Chad Johnson (HD-22)

Chad Johnson has become a strong ally during his time in the Florida House of Representatives. He led a successful effort to reform public lodging laws and is committed to championing additional housing affordability reforms this coming session. Johnson has also supported efforts to expand school choice and vocational training opportunities. He is a dependable voice for fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, and pro-growth opportunities that empower Florida families and businesses.

Erika Booth (HD-35)

Erika Booth, a former teacher and school board member, has proven herself as a strong ally on educational issues. She is also a ranch operator and understands firsthand how cutting government red tape benefits Floridians. She will likely continue to be a strong voice on educational, deregulatory, and housing issues.

Emily Duda Buckley (HD-38)

Emily Duda Buckley is likely to be an ally on regulatory and educational policies. As a business owner, she is committed to maintaining Florida’s pro-business environment and to reform Florida’s child and elder care systems through deregulation. She also has experience in the education space and will pull on said experience to champion school choice, especially for students with special needs.

Erin Huntley (HD-45)

Erin Huntley has the potential to be another strong partner on regulatory and education issues. She supports free-market reforms to lower housing costs in Florida. A mom, Huntley went from fighting from better choice opportunities for her son to becoming a public advocate for school choice and online learners in the state.

Samantha Scott (HD-52)

Having served on the District Board of Trustees at Lake Sumter State College and on an advisory board for a construction company, Samantha Scott is a champion of expanding technical education. Her work in real estate has also influenced her support on policies like streamlined permitting, private sector innovation, and repeals to existing rent control policies.

Ryan Gill (HD-68)

Ryan Gill will likely be a strong economic and regulatory ally, as evidenced by his work as Chairman of the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District to cut wasteful spending. Additionally, as a cattle ranch business owner, Gill will tap into his own experience to repeal overly burdensome regulations and protect private property rights.

Liesa Priddy (HD-82)

Liesa Priddy has the potential to be a strong champion on regulatory and environmental policies. She supports housing reforms like streamlined permitting and reduced barriers to develop. A former board member with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Priddy led efforts to preserve land and water resources and protect property rights while balancing preservation of Florida’s endangered panther habitat.

Anthony Bonna (HD-85)

Anthony Bonna pushed fiscally conservative policies, like reducing local property taxes and calling out excessive government spending tied to COVID stimulus, as Port St. Lucie City Councilman. This background suggests that he will be a champion for economic and deregulatory priorities in the Florida House.

Dr. Eric Stelnicki (HD-100)

Dr. Eric “Doc” Stelnicki is a practicing physician and healthcare policy leader who will bring his medical expertise to push for statewide medical reforms like repeal of Certificate of Need laws, scope of practice reform, and interstate professional licensure. Additionally, as a small business owner, Stelnicki supports cutting red tape and lowering property taxes to make Florida more affordable.

Statewide, FL—Americans for Prosperity Action Florida (AFP Action FL) backed candidates Jimmy Patronis (FL-01), State Rep. Debbie Mayfield (SD-19), and Nathan Boyles (HD-03) each saw overwhelming success following today’s special elections. This cycle, AFP Action FL has surpassed 340,000 points of overall voter outreach through phone calls, door knocking, and mail, educating voters on the candidates with the help of its grassroots army.  

AFP Action FL Senior Advisor, Skylar Zander, issued the following statement:

“From Tallahassee to Washington, Floridians decided that principled leaders such as Jimmy Patronis, Debbie Mayfield, and Nathan Boyles are the best positioned to carry out a mission of pro-growth policies on their behalf. AFP Action FL is thrilled that each candidate we stood behind found victory tonight, and believes Reps. Mayfield and Boyles will have continued success in their general elections. We look forward to the reforms each of these leaders will make in office—from housing and regulation improvements on the state level to renewing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act federally, Florida is positioned for success with each of these victories.”

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Statewide, FL—Today, Americans for Prosperity Action Florida (AFP Action FL) announced its endorsement of State Rep. Debbie Mayfield for SD-19 and Nathan Boyles for HD-03. The announcement follows AFP Action FL’s backing of Jimmy Patronis for FL-01, who recently won his primary race and takes on the general election April 1st.  

AFP Action FL Senior Advisor, Skylar Zander, issued the following statement: 

“Our team is excited to support Nathan Boyles and Rep. Debbie Mayfield, two principled leaders who will continue to make Florida’s legislature impactful for all of our residents. Grassroots is our superpower at AFP Action and in Florida, we’re putting our efforts in the areas where we can be the most effective to ensure Floridians are represented by individuals who will tackle unnecessary regulations, spending and taxes, housing attainability, insurance reform, and other top issues.”  

New Endorsed Candidates 

State Rep. Debbie Mayfield (SD-19) 

In the Florida House, Rep. Mayfield has been instrumental on issues such as Certificate of Need (CON) reform which allows for a personal option in health care and combats health care monopiles. In the Senate, Rep. Mayfield will continue to take on burdensome regulations and occupational licensing rules to make Florida’s workforce freer and a better place for businesses to invest.  

Nathan Boyles (HD-03) 

Boyles will bring his knowledge as a business owner and county commissioner to the Statehouse and fight for fewer regulations, spending reform, and other issues that impact Florida’s businesses. His background gives him a unique perspective on how to be an ally for pro-growth policies and limit government waste.

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Pensacola, FL—Americans for Prosperity Action Florida (AFP Action FL) congratulates former Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on his primary victory Tuesday night leaving him one step closer to serving constituents in Florida’s first congressional district. 

Leading up to the competitive primary election, AFP Action FL put the weight of its grassroots base behind Patronis through door knocking, digital ads, and mailers. Overall, AFP Action FL was able to educate more than 35,000 voters about Patronis’ record as a fiscal conservative and proven leader for Floridians.  

AFP Action FL Senior Advisor, Skylar Zander, made the following statement: 

“Tonight, we are thrilled to see Jimmy win the primary and move on to the general election. Once he is elected we know Jimmy will fight to get our economy back on track. As a fiscal conservative who stands for pro-growth policies, we know the top issues impacting Floridian families will be prioritized by Jimmy through empowering solutions. Our team reached countless voters, even through unprecedented snow, and we’re ready to get out again leading up to the general election!”  

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Pensacola, FL—Today, Americans for Prosperity Action Florida (AFP Action FL) announced its first endorsement of 2025 with its backing of Jimmy Patronis for U.S. Congressional District 01.  

Leading up to the January 28th primary for this special election, AFP Action FL will utilize its vast grassroots base, digital advertising, and mail to educate and mobilize voters in support of Patronis just as the organization did for 54 successful candidates in the previous cycle. 

AFP Action FL Senior Advisor, Skylar Zander, made the following statement: 

“In the aftermath of Bidenomics, Washington needs fiscally conservative leaders like Jimmy who have the experience and knowledge to oversee our economic growth and help get our economy back on track. Just as he helped manage Florida’s economy as CFO, AFP Action is confident that Jimmy will stand for pro-growth policies in Congress while protecting the prosperity of Americans through lower personal and business taxes, opposing the overreach of Environmental, Social, and Governance standards, and expanding health care among other top issues. We’re thrilled to support Jimmy and look forward to deploying our grassroots team on his behalf.”

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