Former Republican state representative Jackie Toledo, a candidate for Hillsborough County Commission, announced an endorsement from the United Christians of Florida, a faith-based political organization. Toledo highlighted the endorsement on Facebook, sharing a screenshot of the group’s Hillsborough County voter guide that listed her as the recommended candidate for District 1. The guide also included recommendations for other races, though Toledo did not reference them in her post.

The United Christians of Florida’s broader endorsements have drawn scrutiny. In Miami-Dade County, the group backed Representative Fabián Basabe for House District 106, while in Palm Beach County, it supported Mike Caruso for Clerk of Court. Both men have faced legal challenges. A civil jury previously found Basabe liable for sexually harassing and battering two former House employees, awarding $450,000 to the plaintiffs. He is currently appealing the verdict. Caruso was arrested in August on charges related to child sexual abuse. When questioned about the group’s support for these individuals, Toledo stated she condemned criminal behavior, particularly misconduct involving children, but did not reject the endorsement. She described United Christians of Florida as a reputable organization that provides voter information to people of faith.

Toledo’s endorsement emerged amid broader controversy involving the group’s political activities. Governor Ron DeSantis recently criticized the Palm Beach County Republican Party for endorsing Caruso despite the allegations against him. DeSantis had previously suspended Caruso from his position as county clerk after the arrest. Basabe, who is seeking re-election despite the civil judgment against him, has also faced calls to resign. Earlier this week, Basabe claimed to have received an endorsement from a school advocate who later retracted the statement after being contacted by Basabe’s campaign.

In Hillsborough County, the political landscape has shifted against Toledo. Local Republican leaders have recently endorsed incumbent Democrat Harry Cohen, Toledo’s opponent, with support from figures including former GOP Tax Collector Doug Belden, State Attorney Suzy Lopez, and Sheriff Chad Chronister. Cohen, first elected in 2020, has raised significantly more campaign funds than Toledo, with nearly $186,000 on hand compared to her $128,000. While Republicans hold a registration advantage in the district, Cohen has demonstrated resilience in past races, having won a narrow victory in 2022 after flipping a historically Republican seat. His current campaign has benefited from cross-party support, contrasting with Toledo’s reliance on a single faith-based endorsement.

The United Christians of Florida operates as a state affiliate of United Christians of America, a national organization with a contentious history. In 2013, its leadership proposed amending the Florida Constitution to elevate Christianity’s role in public life, a move criticized as violating the separation of church and state. The group previously endorsed political candidates opposed to LGBTQ protections in Jacksonville and faced scrutiny for communications framing such policies as “Christian persecution.” Florida revoked its state PAC registration in 2019 due to reporting failures, a decision the group disputes, claiming compliance despite inactivity. The organization maintains it does not solicit contributions.

Toledo’s campaign has not publicly addressed the full scope of the group’s endorsements or clarified whether it will continue to receive support from United Christians of Florida. Her current campaign materials focus on her record in education and workforce development, while her opponent emphasizes a broader coalition of endorsements across party lines.