MEMORANDUM: Ben Butler Surging in the Polls
The latest Victory Insights poll is a strong validation of both Ben Butler’s candidacy and the campaign we have built around him.
Despite being significantly outspent by several of his opponents, Ben is statistically tied for the lead in the Republican primary. The poll has Jorge Martinez at 14.2%, Ben Butler at 13.8%, Thomas Chalifoux at 13.8%, and Dan Green at 11.6%.
Put simply, Ben is four-tenths of one point from first place.
That result is particularly significant given the financial disparity in this race. Several of Ben’s opponents have spent heavily with their personal money to build name identification and move voters through television, digital, mail, and other paid communication. While Ben has significantly raised more from donor contributions than his opponents, Ben has not had anything close to the same level of resources.
Yet after all that spending, nobody has been able to separate from him. That is a testament to Ben himself and how naturally he fits Florida’s 9th Congressional District.
Ben is a ninth-generation Floridian, farmer, cattle rancher, and businessman. His background isn’t something we constructed for a congressional campaign. It reflects the communities and values that make up this district. Our central message — Send a Farmer to Congress — works because it is authentic to both the candidate and the electorate.
The poll provides another encouraging sign: 40.9% of voters remain undecided. There are nearly three times as many undecided voters as currently support any individual candidate, meaning this race remains wide open.
Ben is also well positioned with those undecided voters. Victory Insights finds that among undecideds, Ben has 14% positive name identification, ahead of both Martinez at 12% and Chalifoux at 10%. That suggests Ben has considerable room to grow as voters make their final decisions.
The campaign’s challenge over the final eleven days is therefore not complicated: get Ben and his story in front of as many remaining voters as our resources allow.
We do not need to match our opponents dollar for dollar. The poll demonstrates that we haven’t needed to do so thus far. We need to continue communicating efficiently, maximize Ben’s vote in the areas where he is strongest, and compete aggressively for the enormous pool of undecided voters.
This poll should give everyone involved with the campaign confidence in the strategy we have pursued.
We are being dramatically outspent, and we are tied for the lead.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because we have a candidate who fits the district, a message that resonates, strong local support, and a campaign that has made its resources count.
There is still a tremendous amount of work to do, and with 41% undecided, this race can move quickly in any direction. But with eleven days remaining, Ben is exactly where we need him to be: in the top tier, within striking distance of first, and with a large universe of voters still available to win.
The money advantage belongs to our opponents.
The opportunity belongs to Ben.
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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
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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From:
Derek Dufresne, Partner at Ascent Strategic, General Consultant to Ben Butler for Congress
To:
Ben Butler Campaign
Re:
FL-09 Republican Primary Poll
Release Date:
August 7, 2026
Press Contact:
Jack Cianchette
Jack@ascent-strategic.com
