Senate President Ben Albritton All In for Corey Simon

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Incoming Senate President Ben Albritton said he’s prepared to do “whatever it takes” financially to protect a North Florida seat held by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee.

Albritton’s comment confirmed that vast amounts of money could be pumped into the race in Senate District 3, which is expected to have one of the state’s most-competitive legislative elections in November. The largely rural District 3 is made up of 13 counties and includes the Democratic stronghold of Leon County.

“It’s a tough seat, but we have a huge amount of support. We are laser-focused on that,” Albritton, R-Wauchula, said during an appearance on The News Service of Florida’s “Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast.

“We’re gonna have the resources to move the needle forward,” Albritton added.

Simon, a former Florida State University and NFL football player, captured the seat by knocking off former Sen. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, in 2022. Republicans and their allies poured money into winning the seat, which had long eluded them.

Pressed on what it could take to retain the seat in November — and help retain a GOP supermajority in the Senate — Albritton initially replied that a heavy investment could require $3 million to $4 million.

But he said it could go higher.

“Understand, when I say whatever it takes, if it’s five (million dollars), it’s five. If it’s seven it’s seven. If it’s 10, it’s 10,” Albritton said. “I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure Corey Simon comes back. He’s been so good to this district.”

Albritton chairs three political committees — Advancing Florida Agriculture, the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee and Friends of Ben Albritton — that had a combined total of more than $23 million on hand as of March 31.

Tallahassee civil-rights attorney Daryl Parks and Kimblin Eugene Nesmith, both Democrats, have opened campaign accounts to try to unseat Simon. The candidates and political committees face a Monday deadline for filing updated finance reports.

A five-day qualifying period to run for legislative seats begins Monday.