September Update from the Campaign Trail
Hello Folks,
Thank you for joining me for another campaign update! Last week was a short but busy one for me and my team. I look forward to sharing with you what I have been up to.
As Florida’s Big Bend communities continue to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, I hope you keep them in your prayers and offer them any support that you can. If you are able to do so, you can donate to Samaritan’s Purse’s disaster relief efforts in Taylor and Pasco Counties here. There will be many months of cleanup and restoration ahead for residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast, but no matter what, those impacted can depend on Gov. Ron DeSantis and our other great state leaders for support and relief.
Please reach out to me if you have any important issues to discuss. Together, we can make our state and district a better place. I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail!
Endorsed by Brad Lawson
This week, I received an endorsement from Brad Lawson, a successful Marco Island entrepreneur. Brad is the co-founder of YourEncore and Allegiant Technology Group. Although semi-retired, he remains active in the consulting industry, sharing his experience with other entrepreneurs. Brad has also served as the Cozumel Representative on the Cape Marco Property Owners Association (CMPOA) Board of Directors, where we first met. Together, we collaborated with other board members on multiple initiatives, including updating all controlling documents for Cape Marco and handling written communications for the CMPOA board to the residents of Cape Marco.
“It is my honor to endorse Greg Folley as the ideal candidate for this position,” said Brad Lawson. “I first met Greg when he and I became board members of the Cape Marco Property Owners Association in April of 2022. Greg and I have collaborated on multiple projects and accomplished a great deal during that short timeframe – all while successfully dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. I have found Greg to be an exceptional individual who knows how to get things done in an efficient and effective manner. He is extremely knowledgeable in many areas of business and law and diligently applied his knowledge to help solve many problems and overcome many challenges while working together.”
I am grateful to have Brad Lawson’s endorsement in this exciting race. He has brought a great deal to the Marco Island community as co-founder of two successful businesses and trusted consultant to fellow entrepreneurs. I have known Brad for some time now and have seen him in action on all fronts related to business and leadership. I am proud that we share the same freedom-first principles that keep our state economy strong and vibrant. It is an honor to have Brad as an ally during this important time for my campaign.
Brad added: “I have had the good fortune of working with exceptional and talented individuals in the two companies I have founded, and I can attest that Greg ranks at the absolute top of the list when it comes to people that I have personally seen accomplish great things. He is a person of tremendous presence and character, and I am confident he will represent the residents of Florida in an outstanding manner.”
State of the Region
It was an honor to attend State of the Region hosted by SWFL Inc. CEO and Rep. Tiffany Esposito. Several hundred community leaders were present at the event to listen to speakers from across the state discuss workforce development, workforce housing, and water quality. It was great to hear from Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation Jared Perdue, Rep. Tiffany Esposito, and various other Florida business leaders.
Here are some key takeaways from the conference:
Florida is ranked # 1 in the nation in job growth.
Florida is the most business friendly state in the nation.
Florida’s unemployment rate is below the national average at 2.7%.
Florida had over 130 million visitors last year.
Florida is rated #1 in elementary, secondary and university education.
Florida has the strongest credit rating in the nation.
Florida has had over 2.5 million new business formations in the last four years.
Florida’s economy, if standing alone, would be the 14th largest in the world.
I am so proud of the work Gov. Ron DeSantis and our state legislators have accomplished. Our state is setting records and making waves across the nation, and we are just getting started. I look forward to working hard for the district and state as House District 81’s representative in the Florida Legislature.
Honoring 9/11
Today, I was honored to attend the Annual 9/11 Mass of Remembrance at St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Naples alongside the Gulf Coast Retired Firefighters, an organization founded by FDNY members.
Led by Father Gerard Critch, who himself served as chaplain at Ground Zero, and together with parishioners, veterans, retired police officers, and firefighters, we prayed in honor of the memory of the nearly three thousand people who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks.
A great honor, and I thank Officer Bob Brown (Retired - Old Bridge Township Police Department New Jersey) for inviting me to participate. Amazing event. I was privileged to be a part of it.
Never Forget
On September 11, 2001, the world witnessed a devastating act of terrorism that forever changed the course of history. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people. In the face of unimaginable horror, countless acts of bravery, selflessness, and resilience emerged. Firefighters, police officers, and other first responders risked their lives to save others, demonstrating the true meaning of heroism. Ordinary citizens also stepped up, offering support and compassion in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Our thoughts today are with those who were tragically taken from us on 9/11. The people lost on that day had dreams, aspirations, and loved ones who cherished them. Let us commit to doing our best each day so that their sacrifice will not be in vain.
Thank you for reading!
May God bless you and the Free State of Florida.
Greg Folley