Everglades champion and Big Sugar foe endorses Ron DeSantis and Gwen Graham

An organization dedicated to protecting The Everglades is endorsing Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination for governor and Gwen Graham in the Democratic race.

The Everglades Trust on Monday labeled DeSantis and Graham “the Everglades candidate” in their respective primaries.

Kimberly Mitchell, executive director of the Everglades Trust, said in a statement that Florida’s next governor “must be dedicated to Everglades restoration — and have the backbone to stand up to special corporate interests that have hampered progress for decades.” commissioner.

DeSantis has been a foe of the sugar industry, which is seen by many in the environmental community as the prime culprit in the slow pace of Everglades restoration.

“In Congress, [DeSantis] supported eliminating corporate welfare for the sugar industry and has supported Everglades restoration at every turn,” Mitchell said. “Ron was born and raised in Florida. He understands that water is our state’s most precious resource and he stands with the boaters, anglers, the outdoor recreation industry and the people of our state who want to put an end to toxic algae.”

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that sugar companies and their affiliates have given $804,000 directly to Putnam and his political committee and that political action committees that receive much of their money from the sugar industry has given him another $7.6 million. — and included a critical quote Mitchell had given WFOR-Ch. 4 about the project. On Monday, Mitchell said: “Throughout her life, Gwen Graham has fought to protect Florida’s natural treasures: as a young law student, she volunteered probono for the Sierra Club; in Congress, she co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to stop oil drilling off our coasts and was a powerful voice for Everglades restoration.”

The Everglades Trust endorsement of Graham is somewhat of a blow for another Democratic candidate, Chris King, who has made his opposition to Big Sugar a hallmark of his campaign.

Andrew Gillum and Philip Levine are also seeking the Democratic nomination.

The primaries for governor are Aug. 28.