Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced his reelection bid for 2022. Patronis made the announcement by posting a video entitled “Let’s Keep Florida Open,” where he touted his work to get Florida’s economy back open after the COVID pandemic.
We don’t know when the next crisis will come. Heck, we’re not even done rebuilding after this one. But we know Florida is stronger. Our economy is stronger. And our families are stronger. Join me, Let’s Keep Florida Open. pic.twitter.com/0REca3qc2l
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) May 3, 2021
Patronis and his family own the famous Capt. Anderson’s restaurant in Panama City, a point he made in the video while highlighting the work his family did to provide all they could for the families they employed during the pandemic.
“My family’s had this restaurant for over 50 years. We’ve never had to shut down for months like we did this one,” Patronis said. “Our staff, their families, they depend on us, open or not. I’m Jimmy Patronis. I’m Florida’s CFO. Had the job for years now. Every Florida family deserves a job, an open economy. That’s why I’ve fought so hard to keep our state open.”
He continued by highlighting his work as CFO like making nearly four thousand fraud arrests, returning $167 million in ill-gotten gains to victims, expediting Hurricane Michael insurance claims, and $1.2 billion in payouts to Floridians through the Division of Unclaimed Property.
“I don’t know when the next crisis will come,” said Patronis. “Heck, we haven’t rebuilt from this one yet. But I know Florida is stronger, I know our economy is stronger, I know our families are stronger. So, join me. Let’s keep Florida open.”
Patronis (pictured above) is already well-ahead of any potential opponents in fundraising. His political committee, Treasure Florida, and his campaign has already brought in around $2.1 million.
Then-Governor Rick Scott appointed Patronis to the position in 2017 after Jeff Atwater stepped away from the post. He then won the 2018 general election over Democratic candidate Jeremy Ring.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
