Veteran-Owned Solar Company Endorses David Jolly for Governor, Angie Nixon for Senate, and Kathy Castor for U.S. Representative
Tampa, October 9, 2026
Steve Rutherford with Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
Tampa Bay Solar, a veteran-owned solar energy company, has announced its endorsement of David Jolly for Governor, Angie Nixon for State Senate and Kathy Castor for U.S. Representative in the upcoming November elections. The endorsements reflect the company’s concerns about the impact of recent federal legislation on Florida’s solar industry, as well as its support for policies that expand access to solar energy and help reduce energy costs for Floridians.
Tampa Bay Solar is endorsing the following candidates:
GOVERNOR
David Jolly
- Believes solar should be part of Florida’s future
- His opponent calls solar a “FAD”
STATE SENATE
Angie Nixon
- Has the environment at the center of her platform
- Opponent voted for the Big Beautiful Bill, cutting tax credits and effectively increasing solar costs by 30% in a very short period of time
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Kathy Castor (D-FL-14)
- Strong supporter of solar energy expansion, clean energy accessibility, and federal investments in renewable power
- Opponent voted to get rid of Net-Metering in 2022 as a FL Representative
Over the last year, Florida has seen a drastic decline in the solar sector, where a significant number of solar businesses have closed, laying off solar workers and employees. The passage of the Big Beautiful Bill and the ensuing cuts to tax credits effectively increased the cost of solar for all Americans by 30% at the base level and wiped out investment for more solar made in the USA.
We’ve seen what this bill and those who supported it have done to the solar industry, and in turn is doing to our businesses, our workforce, and our community members and that’s why we’re supporting these candidates.
Their opposition supported this bill and we’re seeing the negative outcomes. It is time for a change before solar becomes obsolete, utility costs continue to increase, and our residents and our planet are further impacted. For these reasons and many more, Tampa Bay Solar lends our endorsement to David Jolly for Governor, Angie Nixon for Senate, and Kathy Castor for re-election as U.S. Representative.
Prior to the Big Beautiful Bill, solar had seen substantial growth throughout the country, particularly in Florida, where more than 400 solar companies work throughout the state, employing more than 40,000 solar employees.
Almost half of the Florida homeowners who installed solar panels relied on the tax credit to help fund their projects, providing a significant savings which was then invested back into local communities. Without this credit, Americans are struggling to afford solar and continue to see electricity costs rise.
Tampa Bay Solar has worked for more than 20 years in the industry with an extensive portfolio of commercial, residential, and special projects. The company was founded by Steve Rutherford, a former Navy SEAL. For the past several years Steve has actively worked with industry and legislative leaders to advocate for solar.
Our 2025 Statement on the Passing of the Reconciliation Bill.
Statement from Steve Rutherford, Tampa Bay Solar President and CEO.
We were disappointed to see the passage of the Reconciliation Bill. Over the past decade we have seen significant progress and growth in the solar industry, here in Florida and nationwide. Now, this growth is jeopardized by the passage of the Reconciliation Bill. Solar tax credits are being eliminated, and by year’s end we will see never experienced economic downturns in the US’s infant solar industry.
In recent years, the growth of the solar industry has been substantial. We’ve gone from 1% solar penetration to 5%. Florida ranks number three in the country for solar with more than $18 billion invested, and more than 400 solar companies throughout our state. Florida alone has more than 20,000 solar employees and, close to my heart, approximately 10% of those are veterans.
At Tampa Bay Solar, the number of veterans is closer to 30%.
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