POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

General Election Recap: Bay Wins Big!

by: Aimee Bright and Sydney Clifton, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

In the November 2022 General Election, the people of Bay County voted on multiple national and state races. Out of the officials elected, four stood out, Jay Trumbull, Florida Senator, representing District 2; Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer; Phillip “Griff” Griffitts, Florida State Representative representing District 6; and Neal Dunn, U.S. Congressman representing Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Each of these elected officials have a long history in Bay County and have served as leaders in the community in multiple roles. Not only have they built businesses and served as board members for numerous organizations, they’ve also raised families in Bay County and know firsthand the issues facing Bay County residents. The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is excited to continue to work with these hometown elected officials to Build a Better Bay. Jay Trumbull – Florida Senator

Jay Trumbull was born and raised in Panama City and is a proud Bay High School alumni. He served as the Representative in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years and recently was the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Senator Trumbull was recently assigned to serve as Chair of the Commerce and Tourism Committee, and will also serve as a member of the Transportation, Judiciary, Fiscal Policy, Banking and Insurance committees as well as the Select Committee on Resiliency, Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development as Vice Chair and the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. When asked what is his number one priority for 2023? He responded,“In my time in the Florida Senate, I will focus on reducing regulations and taxes, increasing affordable housing options for Florida’s workforce and continuing to work with the Governor on preserving and expanding Conservative values in our great state of Florida.”

Jimmy Patronis was raised in Panama City and has served as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2017. As CFO, he also serves as Florida’s State Fire Marshal and is one of three constitutionally elected state executives of the Florida Cabinet. His office is tasked with many responsibilities, including overseeing the state’s accounting and auditing functions, insurance fraud investigation, and insurance consumer service. When asked what is his number one priority for 2023? He responded,“In 2023, I will continue our march to protect Florida consumers and lower insurance rates by fighting fraud, work to provide Florida’s first responders with the tools and resources they need to keep themselves and our communities’ safe and ensure Florida remains in good fiscal health so our families and businesses can thrive.” Griff Griffitts is a third-generation Bay County resident. Griff previously served as a Bay County Commissioner, representing District 5. As our District 6 Representative, he will serve on the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight, State Affairs Committee as well as the Ethics, Elections & Open Government, Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity, Higher Education Appropriations and Insurance & Banking Subcommittees. When asked what is his number one priority for 2023? He responded,“Floridians in the midterm elections issued a clear mandate — they support a conservative, common sense approach to government coupled with low taxes and respect for individual freedom. My priority for next year is to ensure we continue on that trajectory while also addressing ongoing problems like skyrocketing property insurance costs and hurricane recovery, both in Bay County and in the recently hit areas of the state.” Dr. Dunn has served as our Congressman since 2017. He grew up in an Army family and served in the U.S. Army as a surgeon before residing in Bay County in 1990. Currently, he serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the Subcommittees on Health, Oversight and Investigations and Consumer Protection and Commerce. When asked what is his number one priority for 2023? He responded, “One of the many things I would like to accomplish in 2023 is stopping the failed policies that are driving up inflation. Our district is struggling with costly gas prices, and grocery bills increasing over 12 percent in the past year. In the next session, I want to focus on real solutions that make it easier for constituents to provide for their families and run their businesses.”

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