Two former members of the House Agriculture Committee are running for governor in Florida — Democrat Gwen Graham, who served one term in Congress, and Republican Adam Putnam, the state agriculture commissioner since 2010. Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, is term-limited so the race for the governor’s mansion is wide open, said Roll Call.
Graham is the daughter of former Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham. She narrowly won election to the House in 2014. Redistricting turned her district in the Panhandle in a heavily Republican enclave so she retired. In announcing for governor, Graham focused on education. Five other Democrats have announced for the party’s nomination, said Ballotpedia.
A veteran of the state House, Putnam was a five-term member of the House who worked his way up in GOP leadership to chairman of the House Republican Policy Conference, the No. 4 spot before returning to state politics, said Ballotpedia. Putnam is limited to two consecutive terms as agriculture commissioner. Four other Republicans are in the race.