Sen. Jay Trumbull, Sheriff Tommy Ford, and Tax Collector Chuck Perdue back Tricia Berry for Florida House HD 6.
A fast-start in Bay County is giving Tricia Berry’s campaign for Florida House District 6 a visible boost, with three high-profile local officials stepping in behind her only days after she entered the race.
Berry, the Republican seeking to succeed retiring Rep.. Griff Griffitts in HD 6, unveiled endorsements from Sen.. Jay Trumbull, Sheriff Tommy Ford, and Tax Collector Chuck Perdue.. The trio’s backing places much of the county’s political leadership squarely behind her at the outset. signaling how quickly her candidacy is beginning to consolidate support in a district that remains deeply Republican.
Ford, the sheriff of Bay County, cast his endorsement in terms of public safety and law enforcement resources.. In backing Berry. he emphasized her commitment to conservative values and said he expects she will support deputies by ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to keep the area safe.
Trumbull. who previously represented HD 6 in the Florida House for eight years before moving up to the state Senate. described his support as a generational handoff.. He framed Berry as a “Florida-first” leader who can carry forward the priorities he said matter to residents. including affordability. a thriving economy. and strong public education.. Trumbull’s decision to endorse her underscores the continuity of the local party’s approach to the district after his own prior term in the seat.
Perdue, the county tax collector, pointed to Bay County’s track record of conservative leadership in Tallahassee. He said the region has benefited from strong, principled and effective leaders over decades and argued Berry is well-positioned to continue that tradition.
Berry’s campaign background blends public service and civic involvement.. She has previously worked as a nurse practitioner and was appointed by Gov.. Ron DeSantis to the Gulf Coast State College Board of Trustees.. Over more than 15 years in Panama City civic life. her résumé includes participation with groups such as the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County. the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. and the Life Management of NW Florida Foundation Board.
In response to the early surge of endorsements. Berry said she is humbled by the backing and characterized it as proof of growing momentum so early in the race.. She said she intends to build her team. meet the expectations supporters have set. and pursue conservative wins for Bay County in Tallahassee.
HD 6 spans all of coastal Bay County, including Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, and Mexico Beach.. The district is widely viewed as one of the safest Republican seats in Florida.. That partisan stability is central to why the field’s early endorsements matter: with voters already aligned. the contest often turns on who can present the most credible next chapter of conservative leadership.
Griffitts. who is retiring from the House after moving on to a new role as President and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. had won re-election in 2024 with 76% of the vote.. Now. as the handoff approaches. Berry is working to position herself as the next standard-bearer for the district’s conservative base—starting not with a long campaign trail. but with immediate backing from the county’s most recognizable elected and law enforcement leaders.
For now. the endorsements from Trumbull. Ford. and Perdue suggest Berry’s campaign is already being treated as the political center of gravity in HD 6.. With the seat open and Griffitts stepping aside after a commanding re-election. her ability to convert early support into sustained momentum could shape the tone of the race well before Election Day.
Tricia Berry HD 6 Jay Trumbull Tommy Ford Chuck Perdue Florida House Bay County
Three high-profile county officials show up immediately and suddenly it’s a “visible boost.” I get that local endorsements matter, but this reads like the party’s already handpicked the next person in line. I’d love to hear what Berry actually plans to do besides public safety talking points and vague “Florida-first” stuff.
Meredith Langford makes a fair point. The article mostly tells us who’s endorsing her and uses themes like “public safety,” “Florida-first,” and “affordability,” but it doesn’t lay out any concrete policy differences. That said, in an HD 6 that’s “deeply Republican,” endorsements from the sheriff and the state senator’s old network probably matter because they signal organizational strength and fundraising more than ideology.
So we’re basically watching Bay County political leadership do a quick conveyor belt handoff: senator endorses, sheriff endorses, tax collector endorses. Next step is probably the Chamber of Commerce endorsing her with a ribbon cutting. It’s funny how the article calls it a “generational handoff” while not saying a single specific thing she’ll change for regular people.
I’m not mad about endorsements, but I do want specifics. If Ford’s talking about “tools and resources” for deputies, what does that mean in the legislature—more staffing, better pay, body cams, court support? Same with Trumbull and “strong public education.” Sounds good, but I’ll wait and see what she commits to.