How the Sugar Industry Makes Political Friends and Influences Elections - ProPublica

A city commissioner race in Florida provides a window into how the sugar industry cultivates political allies, who help protect its interests.Last year, the Florida Legislature was in the midst of an extraordinary push to protect the state’s farming industry from lawsuits over air pollution. Supporters argued that the legislation was critical to protecting Florida’s agricultural businesses from “frivolous lawsuits.” But some lawmakers were skeptical, noting that residents of the state’s heartland who were bringing suit against sugar companies would feel their case anything but frivolous.