Statewide Republicans Wilton Simpson and Blaise Ingoglia joined Rep. JJ Grow at the kickoff of his re-election push in Florida House District 23, where he faces a single primary opponent and highlights law-and-public-safety ties and local funding promises.
Rep. JJ Grow launched his re-election campaign in front of family and supporters at Fenco Farms in Floral City, drawing on backing from two members of the state Cabinet—Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
Grow, an Inverness Republican, is seeking a second term in House District 23.. Ballot qualifying closed just two weeks ago. and his lone primary opponent is retired Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Cloud; there are no other candidates.. Still. the kickoff underscored that Grow’s effort is being fueled by high-profile endorsements tied to law enforcement and conservative priorities.
Simpson, also a former Citrus County state senator, told the crowd, “You have to have people with integrity.. He’s here to do the work,” and added, “If you have conservative values, you have a great representative.. If you have business issues. you have a great representative.” Ingoglia—another Citrus County former senator and the state’s top finance official—was on hand as well.
Citrus County Sheriff Dave Vincent added support through video.. “He has consistently stood by law enforcement,” Vincent said.. “He understands the challenges facing our deputies.” Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison also sent a video. describing Grow as someone with staying power in Citrus County.. “The king of Citrus County. that’s what we call him. ” Garrison said in the video with Grow at his side.. “This is our guy.. He’s going to be a leader, not just when I’m Speaker, but long after that.”
Speaking to about 280 attendees. Grow acknowledged the friction that comes with state politics. saying. “A lot of people say. ‘Are you trying to do good things up there?’ And the politicians in the room will tell you. we are trying to do good things up there.. We’re also trying to make sure bad things don’t happen.”
He pointed to local return on influence. saying he has brought “millions of dollars to the district” through projects including septic-to-sewer grants that lower or eliminate the thousands of dollars in hookup fees residents face.. Grow also announced that both the House and Senate budgets include $750. 000 for the expansion of Jessie’s Place. a children’s advocacy center.
Grow said recognition from the Florida Chamber of Commerce has followed his legislative work, saying the group lauded him and six other Republican lawmakers with its highest ranking—the “Distinguished Advocate Award.” He also framed the campaign’s central test as priorities once in office.
“It’s an easy job if we say I’m putting families first, I’m putting my constituents before myself…if you can do those things and make decisions up there, those will be good decisions for your community,” Grow said. “If you find a politician who puts himself before you, find another politician.”
The lineup at the event connected Grow’s law-and-order message from Sheriff Dave Vincent to Simpson’s focus on “integrity” and conservative values. while Garrison’s video positioned him as a future leader; together with Grow’s own list of funding outcomes—septic-to-sewer grants and $750. 000 for Jessie’s Place—the kickoff tied campaign support to what he says he has already delivered in Citrus County.
For voters in House District 23. the timing of the race is tightly set: ballot qualifying ended two weeks ago. Grow remains the only candidate on the ballot for his side of the primary contest beyond his challenger. and the campaign is being pitched as both a continuation of past work and a bet on what he will bring next.
JJ Grow Wilton Simpson Blaise Ingoglia Sam Garrison Dave Vincent Jessie’s Place septic-to-sewer grants Florida House District 23 Tod Cloud Florida politics campaign kickoff