Florida Citrus Industry Voter Guide 2025

The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation is committed to not just preserving Florida's iconic citrus industry but also revitalizing the local economies that depend on with the Florida citrus industry voter guide for 2025. The Florida legislative inaction has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the prioritization of larger agricultural entities over small, family-run groves. By supporting small citrus growers with essential grants and volunteers, the Foundation helps influence job growth in rural communities where agriculture remains a cornerstone of economic stability. As Florida’s citrus farms struggle to stay afloat, these grants can provide critical resources to help small growers invest in sustainable practices, improve crop yields, and protect their land from commercial development—ensuring that citrus production continues to be a reliable source of employment.

Federal Legislative Efforts:

  • Block Grant Assistance Act: In 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Block Grant Assistance Act, which aimed to authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue block grants to growers affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. The bill failed to secure the necessary three-fifths majority in the U.S. Senate, preventing its enactment.

  • Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act: In 2025, Representatives Scott Franklin and Debbie Wasserman Schultz reintroduced this bipartisan bill to update regulations and support Florida citrus growers. The legislation seeks to address outdated standards hindering the industry's recovery. This bill would direct the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to alter the Brix standard (required level of sugar/solids content) in not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice from 10.5 percent to 10 percent. While the bill has garnered support from the entire Florida delegation, its passage is pending. The bill does not specifically help small, family-owned citrus groves in Florida—it makes it easier for “Big Juice” production.

State-Level Legislative Challenges:

At the state level, efforts to pass legislation specifically designed to support small citrus growers have encountered obstacles. Despite the industry's decline, there has been a perceived lack of legislative action to provide targeted assistance to these farmers.

This inaction has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the prioritization of larger agricultural entities over small, family-run groves. By advocating for and supporting policies that benefit small citrus farmers, the Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation ensures that local workers remain employed and that the small, family-owned citrus industry remains a key driver of economic activity in Florida.

Questions Asked to Florida Lawmakers:

  1. Do you believe small, family-run citrus growers are the backbone of Florida’s citrus industry? Or do you support Big Ag over family-owned?

  2. How did you vote on the last 5 agriculture bills? Would you vote for these same policies again?

  3. Do you accept campaign donations from big ag or developers? Have these donations influenced your decisions?

  4. What bills have you introduced, sponsored or passed to help the citrus industry? Could these bills be misleading in terms of who they actually help?

  5. What is your personal opinion on the near complete collapse of Florida’s citrus industry? Do you think more could be done?

FEATURED FLORIDA LAWMAKER:

Yes, I believe citrus farmers are the backbone of Florida’s citrus industry. They are the ones who have invested generations of hard work, resources, and expertise into cultivating one of our state’s most iconic and economically vital crops. Without their resilience, innovation, and deep connection to the land, there would be no citrus industry. They are not just growers—they are stewards of Florida’s agricultural legacy, and their success is directly tied to the health of our rural communities and our state’s economy. —Dana Trabulsy, District: 84 (R)

Florida lawmakers are ranked A, C or F. Non-responsive Florida lawmakers were auto-ranked F (ratings can be updated at any time).

Florida Lawmaker Rankings as of 3/25/2025:

Abbott, Shane G. F
Albert, Jon F
Albritton, Ben F
Alvarez, Daniel Antonio F
Alvarez, Jose F
Anderson, Adam F
Andrade, Robert Alexander F
Antone, Bruce Hadley F
Aristide, Wallace F
Arrington, Kristen F
Ávila, Bryan F
Baker, Jessica F
Bankson, Douglas Michael F
Barnaby, Webster F
Bartleman, Robin F
Basabe, Fabián F
Benarroch, Yvette F
Berfield, Kimberly F
Berman, Lori F
Bernard, Mack F
Black, Dean F
Blanco, Omar F
Booth, Erika F
Borrero, David F
Botana, Adam F
Boyd, Jim F
Brackett, Robert A. F
Bracy Davis, LaVon F
Bradley, Jennifer F
Brannan III, Robert Charles F
Brodeur, Jason F
Buchanan, James F
Burgess, Danny F
Burton, Colleen F
Busatta, Demi F
Calatayud, Alexis F
Campbell, Daryl F
Canady, Jennifer F
Caruso, Michael A. F
Casello, Joe F
Cassel, Hillary F
Chamberlin, Ryan F
Chambliss, Kevin D. F
Chaney, Linda F
Cobb, Nan F
Collins, Jay F
Conerly, William F
Cross, Lindsay F
Daley, Dan F
Daniels, Kimberly F
Davis, Tracie F
DiCeglie, Nick F
Driskell, Fentrice F
Duggan, Wyman F
Edmonds, Jervonte F
Eskamani, Dr. Anna V. F
Esposito, Tiffany F
Fabricio, Tom F
Fine, Randy F
Franklin II, Gallop F
Gaetz, Don F
Gantt, Ashley Viola F
García, Ileana F
Garrison, Sam F
Gentry, Richard F
Gerwig, Anne F
Giallombardo, Mike F
Gonzalez Pittman, Karen F
Gossett-Seidman, Peggy F
Gottlieb, Michael F
Grall, Erin F
Greco, Sam F
Griffitts Jr., Phillip Wayne F
Grow, J.J. F
Gruters, Joe F
Harrell, Gayle F
Harris, Jennifer F
Hart, Dianne F
Hinson, Yvonne Hayes F
Holcomb, Jeff F
Hooper, Ed F
Hunschofsky, Christine F
Ingoglia, Blaise F
Jacques, Berny F
Johnson, Chad F
Jones, Shevrin F
Joseph, Dotie F
Kendall, Kim F
Kincart Jonsson, Jennifer F
Koster, Traci F
LaMarca, Chip F
Leek, Tom F
López, Johanna F
Lopez, Vicki L. F
Maggard, Randall Scott F
Maney, Patt F
Martin, Jonathan F
Mayfield, Debbie F
McClain, Stan F
McClure, Lawrence F
McFarland, Fiona F
Melo, Lauren F
Michael, Kiyan F
Miller, Monique F
Mooney, Jr., James Vernon F
Nix, Jr., Danny F
Oliver, Vanessa F
Osgood, Rosalind F
Overdorf, Tobin Rogers F
Owen, Michael F
Partington, Bill F
Passidomo, Kathleen F
Perez, Daniel F
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna F
Pizzo, Jason W. B. F
Plakon, Rachel Saunders F
Plasencia, Susan F
Polsky, Tina Scott F
Porras, Juan Carlos F
Rayner, Michele K. F
Redondo, Mike F
Rizo, Alex F
Robinson, Felicia Simone F
Robinson Jr., William Cloud F
Rodriguez, Ana Maria F
Rosenwald, Mitch F
Rouson, Darryl Ervin F
Salzman, Michelle F
Sapp, Judson F
Sharief, Barbara F
Shoaf, Jason F
Simon, Corey F
Sirois, Tyler I. F
Skidmore, Kelly F
Smith, Carlos Guillermo F
Smith, David F
Snyder, John F
Spencer, Leonard F
Stark, Paula A. F
Steele, Kevin M. F
Tant, Allison F
Temple, John Paul F
Tendrich, Debra F
Tomkow, Josie F
Trabulsy, Dana A
Tramont, Chase F
Truenow, Keith F
Trumbull, Jay F
Tuck, Kaylee F
Valdés, Susan L. F
Weinberger, Meg F
Woodson, Marie Paule F
Wright, Tom A. F
Yarborough, Clay F
Yarkosky, Taylor Michael F
Yeager, Bradford Troy F

While federal initiatives have been introduced to aid Florida's citrus growers, their success has been mixed, with most bills failing to pass the Senate. At the state level, legislative measures to support small citrus farms have struggled to gain traction, leaving many growers without the necessary assistance to navigate the industry's challenges.