Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is endorsing Emily Duda Buckley in her bid for Florida House District 38.
Duda Buckley is one of three Republicans hoping to take over for David Smith, who cannot run again because of term limits. She and Marcus Hyatt have already qualified for the race, but Austyn Cydney Spell has not. Candidates have until Friday to qualify.
Democrat Michelle Danielle DeJesus has filed to run as well. If she qualifies, the race will go to a General Election. If she does not, and no other Democrat joins, the winner will be decided in an open Republican Primary.
“Emily Duda Buckley knows firsthand the challenges that hard-working families and business owners are facing, and she’ll tackle them with the same conservative values and tireless problem-solving only a fifth-generation farmer can,” Simpson said. “I am proud to endorse Emily Duda Buckley because I know she will work hard to ensure access to opportunities for all Floridians.”
Duda Buckley spoke highly of Simpson’s long career as an egg farmer and public servant.
“Commissioner Simpson has spent his life standing up for Florida’s farmers, families, and small businesses, and I’m honored to have his support,” Duda Buckley said. “Coming from a family that has farmed Florida land for five generations, I learned early that hard work and conservative values are how you build a future here. I look forward to working alongside Commissioner Simpson to cut the cost of living and make it affordable to raise a family in Central Florida again.”
House District 38 covers southwest Seminole County and includes Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, and Winter Springs.
It could be a competitive open race. The constituency is about 34% Democratic and 33% Republican, with nearly 30% of the electorate unaffiliated, according to L2 voter data.
Smith won his last re-election by fewer than 700 votes against Democrat Sarah Henry. He also ran against her in 2022, when he performed better as Republicans did well statewide, while Democrats did better elsewhere. That year, Smith got over 52% of the vote, winning by about 3,000 votes.
Simpson’s endorsement comes on the heels of an even bigger nod from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. Duda Buckley also recently earned support from a half-dozen former Representatives, including former Reps. Bob Cortes, Fred Hawkins, Mike Miller, Scott Plakon, Rene “Coach P” Plasencia and David Santiago.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida also support Duda Buckley.
She has raised more than $215,000 through her campaign and her political committee, Fostering Florida’s Future.
Duda Buckley grew up in Central Florida. She went to Florida State University, where she served as a Guardian Ad Litem. Later, she became a licensed foster parent.
She works with the Florida Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents and the 4Roots Foundation, providing resources to adoptive and foster parents. Her goal is to bring needed change to the child welfare system.
