Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2017

Former and current black lawmakers took to the Old Capitol steps Thursday to call for a likeness of educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace a statue of a Confederate general now in the U.S. Capitol. Led by Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, and surrounded by alumni members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

Ever since Augie Ribeiro entered the state Senate District 19 race in late June, Ed Narain has seemed to be personally offended by his campaign theme that he’s a Democrat “for all of us.” “Is he implying that the people that have held the seat before didn’t represent everybody in the district?” Narain asked on Monday night while attending the Greater […]

Brendan FarringtonJune 22, 2016

Either the African-American woman who founded what’s now Bethune-Cookman University, the founder of Publix supermarkets or the woman credited with saving the Everglades will replace a Confederate general’s statue that represents Florida in the U.S. Capitol. The three Floridians were selected Wednesday by a committee that reviewed 130 recommendations made by the public. The Legislature […]

Associated PressMay 18, 2016

Florida wants the public to help decide who should get to replace Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith. The Florida Legislature earlier this year agreed to replace the statue of Smith as one of the state’s two contributions to the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection. The Department of State announced Wednesday that it’s going to […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 12, 2016

Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith‘s time representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol is coming to an end while clergy will be able to say no to gay weddings under new laws approved by Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday. Scott signed a bill that requires Smith’s statue in the National Statuary Hall be replaced. Another among […]

Scott PowersFebruary 25, 2016

Democratic state House of Representatives candidate Beth Tuura has called out her Republican opponent, state Rep. Mike Miller of Orlando, for voting to keep a Confederate general’s statue at the U.S. Capitol. “The test of any public servant is whether or not they are serving the best interests of all of their constituents. Yesterday, Mike […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signaled he would approve a bill to remove and replace a statue of a Confederate army general as one of Florida’s two entries in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. The House passed the Senate’s bill (SB 310) by a vote of 83-32 earlier in the day. The House put aside its version (HB 141) […]

William MarchFebruary 21, 2016

A proposal to remove a statue of a Confederate leader at the National Statuary Hall is generating speculation among Florida legislators about whose image should replace it. Legislation to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith doesn’t propose a successor. Smith’s place in history is due to his being the last officer to surrender […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 11, 2016

A bill to replace a statue of a Confederate army general as one of Florida’s two entries in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall was passed by the Florida Senate Thursday. The Senate skipped debate and OK’d the bill (SB 310) by a vote of 33-7. That move, however, puts the two chambers at odds: A House version (HB […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2016

A House committee on Wednesday OK’d a legislative move to replace the statue of a Confederate army general as one of Florida’s two eminences in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall where it’s been since 1922. The House Economics Committee unanimously approved the proposal sponsored by Miami Republican Rep. Jose Felix Diaz to replace the […]

Tag: Edmund Kirby Smith

Perry Thurston, others want Confederate statue issue resolved

War of words heats up between Ed Narain and Augie Ribeiro in SD 19 race

Florida now has three suggestions to replace Confederate statue

New survey: What Florida man or woman deserves a statue?

Florida has new laws on Confederate statue, gay marriage

Beth Tuura calls out Mike Miller on vote to keep Confederate statue

Rick Scott says he’ll sign Confederate statue bill

Legislators speculate on great Floridian for Capitol statue

Senate OKs replacing Confederate general’s statue

Proposal to replace statue of Confederate general advances in Florida House

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.