Putnam formally announces candidacy for Commissioner of Agriculture

BARTOW, FL – Surrounded by hundreds of supporters in his hometown, Congressman Adam Putnam formally declared his candidacy for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture.

Congressman Putnam was proud to announce the support of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida Nursery Growers & Landscapers Association, Southeast Milk Producers and also Florida Citrus Mutual.

“I am not aware of any other time when the issues of the agriculture producer are more in line with the consumer,” Putnam said. “Our job number one has to be to restore Floridians faith in their government, to hold the department to the highest ethical standards, to be transparent in our dealings so that taxpayers know where their dollars are being spent and that is our pledge for this department.”

In attendance to show their support of Congressman Putnam’s candidacy were members of the Polk County Legislative Delegation as well as Representatives Dean Cannon and Will Weatherford and several local elected officials. Leaders in Florida agriculture attending were former Representative Bert Harris, Jr., Dr. Martha Roberts (who also introduced Putnam), Mike Stuart, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Reggie Brown of the Florida Tomato Exchange, Patsy Nathe, 2008 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Also present was Bo Hobby, President of the Florida Cattleman’s Association.

Bill Bunting, joined Putnam on stage to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bunting is the State Committeeman and former Chairman of the Pasco County Republican Party. Bunting also serves as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida’s 2nd Amendment Club.

Visit http://www.AdamPutnam.com to watch Congressman Putnam’s remarks.

Adam Putnam is a fifth generation Floridian born and raised in Bartow and has represented the Twelfth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since January 2001. The twelfth district includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola Counties; he was first elected in 2000 and reelected subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Putnam served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000, where he chaired the Committee on Agriculture from 1998 to 2000. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in food and resource economics. Adam resides in his hometown of Bartow, FL with his wife Melissa and their four children.