NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)October 24, 2026Hillsborough County
Candidates Wilton Simpson and Joey Mendoza Atkins vie for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
Photo: WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)
Democratic challenger Joey Mendoza Atkins discussed his campaign platform for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, highlighting priorities such as closing tax loopholes and protecting agricultural land from data centers. The contest features incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson, who declined to participate in the interview.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
The race determines who leads the state department overseeing food safety, farming regulations, firearms licensing, and consumer fraud protection, with authority to influence state policy through the executive cabinet.
Key Facts
- The race for Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture features incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson and Democratic challenger Joey Mendoza Atkins.
- Joey Mendoza Atkins identifies the Department of Agriculture's scope through four areas: food, farms, firearms, and fraud.
- Mendoza Atkins proposes closing the 'rent-a-cow' loophole in the Greenbelt Law to prevent property owners from improperly receiving agricultural tax breaks.
- Mendoza Atkins opposes the expansion of AI data centers on agricultural land and suggests using conservation easements and development rights to protect those areas.
- The Commissioner of Agriculture serves on the executive cabinet, providing an advocacy platform to influence the governor and legislature.
- Mendoza Atkins advocates for changes to immigration enforcement policies, warning that ICE raids in rural farming communities reduce the labor supply and increase food prices.