Hours after Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, withdrew his bid for another term, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam threw his support to House Speaker Pro Tempore John Legg, R-New Port Richey, to replace him.

“John Legg’s true conservative ideals will be key in driving our state forward and growing our economy,” said Putnam on Tuesday. “He knows how important it is to start with the fundamentals and build upon them to create a more dynamic and highly-educated work force for our forward-thinking state. I support John for Senate District 17 and urge the voters to do the same.”

“I am humbled to receive the endorsement from such a respected conservative leader in our state,” said Legg. “I know that government does not produce jobs, that the people and risk-takers in our local communities do. It is essential that we work together to make our communities and state stronger. We must make it easier for entrepreneurs to start or grow new businesses, and I am committed to doing just that.”

Even with Norman on the sidelines, Legg faces a competitive primary with John Korsak and former Rep. Rob Wallace also seeking the nomination.