Race for usually low-key Florida agriculture commissioner post heats up

TALLAHASSEE — The job might be obscure, but it holds significant power: the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees gun permits, fields consumer complaints, regulates livestock, inspects gas pumps and rollercoasters and more.

This year seven candidates – four Republicans^[1], three Democrats^[2] – are running for the office, which has gained more attention in recent weeks as the current commissioner, Adam Putnam, mounts a run for governor.

Putnam has been slammed by Democrats for lapses in reviewing background checks for concealed carry applicants. One Republican candidate for the job has said she’ll conduct a thorough audit to ensure the checks are done properly.

The commissioner’s duties also include overseeing the agriculture industry, taking no call list complaints, managing state forests and running the state’s school lunch program.

In addition, the agriculture commissioner is a member of the Cabinet, which along with the governor oversees the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and votes on restoring voting rights to felons and the sale or purchase of state lands.

Who are theyThe Republicans are:• State Rep. Matt Caldwell, 36, of North Fort Myers, has served in the House since 2010. He sponsored bills to comply with a constitutional amendment passed by voters calling for more money to be spent on land conservation that was criticized by Democrats for using too much money on ongoing operations.• State Sen. Denise Grimsley, 60, of Sebring, who served in the House for eight years, including two as the chamber’s top budget negotiator, before being elected to the Senate^[3] in 2012. She grew up in Polk County and became a nurse, later receiving an MBA from the University of Miami, and is currently a