Wilton Simpson directs Department of Agriculture to implement name change to ‘Gulf of America’

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
February 20, 2025

While legislation has already been filed in the Florida Legislature to ensure all official state documents, maps, and references be changed to reflect President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson says he can’t wait that long.

Simpson has directed the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “as quickly as possible” to enshrine the “Gulf of America” in all department administrative rules, forms, maps, and resources.

“The Gulf of America has helped shape our state and nation’s economy, history, and culture for generations,” Simpson said in a written statement issued on Thursday. “President Trump’s action rightfully recognizes the Gulf of America’s significance to our nation, and I am proud to support this effort and ensure that Florida honors this historic change.”

Simpson is considering a run for governor in 2026 and undoubtedly would like Trump’s support — or at least that he stays neutral. Trump has not backed a candidate so far in the early stages of the race, although he did cite a poll earlier this week showing Southwest Florida U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leading in a recent poll of Florida Republican voters.

In the statement, Simpson notes that his department has many divisions, offices, and programs that directly pertain to the “Gulf of America,” including divisions of aquaculture, marketing, and food safety.

While Republican lawmakers are rushing to follow up on the president’s executive order changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, that certainly isn’t where the majority of Floridians — or Americans — are, according to multiple public opinion surveys.

A majority of registered Florida voters — 58% — opposed the idea strongly or somewhat and only 31% expressed support for renaming the Gulf, according to a public opinion survey of 871 registered voters from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab released earlier this week.

A national Marquette University poll released last week found that 71% of respondents opposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico with only 29% favoring the change. A Harvard CAPS–Harris poll from January, also national, found that 72% of registered voters were against adopting the “Gulf of America” name with 28% backing it.

Meanwhile, Trump said Tuesday that he will block the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One until the news agency stops referring to the Gulf of Mexico.

The news agency notes: “Trump’s order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change.

“The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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