Ben Butler Wraps Up CD9 All American Tour, Covers the District Talking to the People Who Built It
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Ben Butler, 9th-generation Floridian and candidate for Florida's 9th Congressional District, wrapped up his CD9 All American Tour this week, a multi-day swing across the district that put him face to face with small business owners, law enforcement, local officials, farmers, and voters throughout Florida's 9th Congressional District.
The tour kicked off Friday at Walpole Inc., where Butler sat down with Director of Purchasing and Maintenance Ryan Walpole to talk about how red tape out of Washington is hurting the trucking industry. That evening, he joined Indian River County Property Appraiser Wesley Davis at the Vero Beach Fighting Indians season opener to meet with voters in Indian River County.
Saturday started early at Pogeys Family Restaurant in Okeechobee, where Butler talked through the issues facing local families alongside Sheriff Stephen, Property Appraiser Mickey Bandi, County Commission Chair David Hazellief, and County Commissioner Frank DeCarlo. From there, the tour moved to Sebring, where Butler hit the streets, sign-waving with his daughter Hannah and volunteer Virgilio Beato, then stopped at Bean's Armory and Spray and Pray Guns and Ammo, where he spoke with owners Shird and Crystal Moore about Second Amendment rights. He also visited Glisson's Animal Supply, where he spoke with the Handley, Cannady, and Sebring families about the rising cost of living.
Saturday afternoon, Butler toured Cook Manufacturing with Charles Cook, discussing the company's commercial evaporators and its work bringing high school students into the trades. He then stopped in Frostproof to meet voters at Frostbite before sitting down with Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, Commissioner Scott Kirouac, and Sheriff David Hardin at the Wild Turkey Tavern in Avon Park to talk through the issues facing the counties across CD9. The day closed out in St. Cloud, where Butler joined friends and supporters for a ride on the Lillie with the Old Florida Riverboat Company, backing small businesses along the way.
Sunday began at Cornerstone Family Church in St. Cloud, followed by stops at Sip n' Dip Donuts and the Catfish Place to speak with supporters. Butler ended the day back in Indian River County, meeting voters at Captain Hiram's Resort in Sebastian.
The tour closed out on Monday with a visit to Ahern's Service Center and C Store to speak with voters, a stop at Gatorama in Palmdale to talk environmental stewardship (where Butler helped hatch a baby gator), and a final stop at GC Grillhouse and the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce to close out the trip.
"This tour was about showing up," said Butler. “I sat down with truckers, sheriffs, farmers, small business owners, and families across this district, and I heard the same thing everywhere I went. People are tired of Washington making their lives harder instead of easier. I'm a 9th-generation Floridian and a dairy farmer, not a career politician, and I'm running because this district deserves someone who's lived it, not just talked about it."
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Benjamin "Ben" Butler is a lifelong, ninth-generation Floridian, agricultural leader, businessman, and public servant rooted in the values of faith, hard work, stewardship, and service.
Raised in Central Florida, Ben helped build and operate Butler Oaks Farm, a multi-generational dairy and cattle operation. Through decades of hands-on experience, he managed employees, balanced budgets, navigated complex regulations, and made the real-world decisions necessary to keep a business running and families employed.
Governor DeSantis appointed Ben to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board in 2019, 2021, and 2024, where he has helped oversee Everglades restoration, flood protection, water supply, and natural resource management across South Florida.
Ben has also served in leadership roles with the Florida Farm Bureau, Florida FFA Foundation, Southeast Milk Inc., and Newtrient. A former Florida FFA State President, Ben has long believed in investing in future generations and strengthening Florida's rural communities.
Ben earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in Animal Science from the University of Florida, with a focus on dairy management, agricultural economics, and natural resource management.
Ben is joined in his commitment to agriculture and youth development by his wife, April, a native Floridian, FSU graduate, and former law enforcement professional who volunteers with 4-H, FFA Alumni, and the South Florida Fair dairy shows. Their daughter Hannah raises registered dairy and beef heifers through FFA and 4-H, and is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Club America at her high school.
Together, the Butler family remains deeply rooted in Florida's Heartland, dedicated to preserving its agricultural heritage, supporting youth leadership, and serving their community.
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With the excitement of the campaign growing, Butler has picked up many endorsements, both federal and local, including:
Congressional:
Kat Cammack – Congresswoman, FL-03
Greg Steube – Congressman, FL-17
G.T. Thompson – Congressman, House Agriculture Chairman, PA-15
Anna Paulina Luna – Congresswoman, FL-13
Brian Mast – Congressman, FL-21
Florida State Senate:
Ben Albritton, Florida State Senate President, District 27
City of Okeechobee:
Dowling Watford, Jr. – Mayor
Monica Clark – Vice Mayor
Noel Chandler – Council Member
Bob Jarriel – Council Member
David McAuley – Council Member
Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners:
David Hazellief – Chair, Commissioner
Terry Burroughs – 1st Vice Chair, Commissioner
Bradley Goodbread – 2nd Vice Chair, Commissioner
Frank DeCarlo – Commissioner
Michael Sumner – Commissioner
Okeechobee County School Board:
Jill Holcomb – Board Chair, District 5
Christine Bishop – Vice Chair, District 1
Malissa Morgan – Board Member, District 2
Melisa Jahner – Board Member, District 3
Amanda Riedel – Board Member, District 4
Highlands County Board of County Commissioners:
Chris Campbell – Vice Chair, Commissioner
Arlene Tuck – Commissioner
Scott Kirouac – Commissioner
Kevin Roberts – Commissioner
Scott Kirouac - Commissioner
Sheriffs:
Sheriff Paul Blackman – Highlands County
Sheriff David Hardin – Glades County
Sheriff Noel Stephen – Okeechobee County
Sheriff Eric Flowers – Indian River County
City of Okeechobee:
Dowling Watford, Jr.– Mayor
Monica Clark – Vice Mayor
Noel Chandler – Council Member
Bob Jarriel – Council Member
David McAuley – Council Member
Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners:
David Hazellief – Chair, Commissioner
Terry Burroughs – 1st Vice Chair, Commissioner
Bradley Goodbread – 2nd Vice Chair, Commissioner
Frank DeCarlo – Commissioner
Michael Sumner – Commissioner
Okeechobee County School Board:
Jill Holcomb – Board Chair, District 5
Christine Bishop – Vice Chair, District 1
Malissa Morgan – Board Member, District 2
Melisa Jahner – Board Member, District 3
Amanda Riedel – Board Member, District 4
Highlands County Board of County Commissioners:
Chris Campbell – Vice Chair, Commissioner
Arlene Tuck – Commissioner
Scott Kirouac – Commissioner
Kevin Roberts – Commissioner
Property Appraisers:
Mickey Bandi - Okeechobee County
Wesley Davis - Indian River County
Raymond Mcintrye - Highlands County
Polk County School Board:
Justin Sharpless - Chair
Agricultural and Business Leaders:
Avery C. Roberts - Founder and CEO of The Roberts Companies
C. Austen Roberts - Company President of The Roberts Companies
Jimmy Beilling - Past President of the Florida Forestry Association
Former Elected Officials:
Denise Grimsley - Former Florida State Senator and Former Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee
Dr. Cary Pigman - Physician and Former State Representative
Activists:
Brandon Ludwig - Chair, Florida Young Republicans and Keystone Heights City Councilman
Groups:
Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Okeechobee IAFF Local 2918
Florida Airboat Association
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Release Date:
August 17, 2026
Press Contact:
Derek Dufresne
Derek@ascent-strategic.com
