Statewide elections are still a year away — but Florida’s sugar industry continues to spend like there’s no tomorrow.

The latest state campaign finance data shows that Big Sugar has given at least $2.48 million in “dirty money” — political contributions — so far in 2025. The vast majority comes from U.S. Sugar ($1.5 million) and Florida Crystals ($910,750); and the lion’s share was donated to political action committees, or PACs, though dozens of individual lawmakers got money directly from the sugar companies.

The biggest single beneficiary of sugar money: the “Florida PC” PAC, which received $650,000 from Florida Crystals, 71% of all the money the West Palm Beach-based sugar giant has spent this year.

Florida PC has raised $4.8 million since its inception last October and has made major contributions to conservative candidates and causes — including just under $240,000 to the Friends of Byron Donalds PAC, and $200,000 to Attorney General James Uthmeier’s campaign.

U.S. Sugar has given a total of $500,000 this year to the Florida Chamber of Commerce PAC, along with $300,000 to the Republican Party of Florida, and $250,000 to the Florida Jobs PAC.

The PAC money is key because it allows the industry and other polluters to support candidates indirectly. The Florida Chamber of Commerce PAC, for example, has received $1.56 million in donations so far in 2025 — meaning U.S. Sugar’s contribution represents one-third of all PAC revenues for the year; effectively, any candidate supported by the PAC is being supported by Big Sugar.

In terms of individual candidates/office-holders, US Sugar gave to the following (all contributions $1,000 unless otherwise noted):

• Rep. Nathan Boyles, R-3
• Emily Duda Buckley, GOP candidate for the House 38th District
• Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, D-40
• Friends of Blaise Ingoglia PAC ($50,000)
• Friends of Joe Gruters (one $10,000 contribution and one $50,000 contribution)
• Ralph Massullo, GOP candidate for Senate District 11
• Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-32
• Friends of Lauren Melo ($25,000)
• Rep. Lauren Melo, R-82
• Ashley Perez-Biliskov, GOP candidate for House District 116
• Friends of Corey Simon ($10,000)
• Rep. RaShon Young, D-40
• Rep. James Buchanan, R-74

Florida Crystals did not give directly to any candidates or their PACs, although the company’s subsidiaries did.

See the spreadsheet below for the full rundown of who gave and got what.

Why these numbers matter: Big Sugar’s political donations play a huge role in perpetuating the industry’s stranglehold on Florida water policy. It guarantees the industry access to decision-makers, who then prioritize and support the industry’s needs — often at the expense of our fragile waterways and the people, wildlife and economies that rely on them.