Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschApril 10, 2016

Is State Sen. Greg Evers becoming the Hamlet of the Florida Panhandle? Reports first floated last year that the Okaloosa County Republican was toying with the idea of running for Santa Rosa County sheriff, to replace the retiring incumbent there. He was later mentioned as eyeing the job of Okaloosa County’s property appraiser. And Pensacola political blogger Rick Outzen added a 2018 run for Commissioner of Agriculture to […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2016

Pensacola state Rep. Clay Ingram has decided against a run for the state Senate, he announced Thursday. Ingram was speculated to be a likely candidate in the race to replace Sen. Greg Evers, who is contemplating running for the 1st Congressional District seat vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. Northwest Florida politicos thought Thursday would be the day […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 7, 2016

A combat veteran and a former adviser to Rep. Jeff Miller has announced he’s running for Congress. James Zumwalt, a Niceville Republican, announced Thursday his intention to run for the Congressional District 1 seat. Zumwalt – a Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War – was a military-oriented legislative aide for the retiring Miller […]

Ryan RayApril 4, 2016

Rep. Matt Gaetz‘s campaign said Monday his U.S. House bid is picking up steam quickly, raising $350,000 during his first 10 days, including a $100,000 commitment from Gaetz himself. Gaetz is running for Congressional District 1, an open seat incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller is exiting after announcing his retirement from Congress in March. The Gaetz camp touted the big […]

Drew WilsonMarch 28, 2016

A Republican candidate has filed for the Florida House seat held by incumbent Pensacola Beach Republican Mike Hill, which may signal the freshman representative’s intent to run for Greg Evers’ Senate seat. This past Wednesday, Frank White filed for House District 2, becoming the only other Republican running in the GOP stronghold, which has been […]

Jim RosicaMarch 24, 2016

Because of differences between federal and state campaign finance laws, Mike Haridopolos can use money left over from his failed U.S. Senate bid to run for state Senate, but Matt Gaetz, who switched from a state Senate seat to a congressional bid, is out of luck. Haridopolos, a Merritt Island Republican and former Senate President, is […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2016

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller set of a chain reaction in Northwest Florida when he decided to retire from Congress last week, sending statehouse and local pols scrambling to advance in his wake. On Wednesday he made more waves, endorsing Neal Dunn in a three-way primary in the 2nd Congressional District. Miller lauded Dunn, a urological surgeon from Panama City […]

Guest AuthorMarch 11, 2016

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller has set off a series of dominoes with his announcement Thursday that he will not seek a ninth term in Congress. Congressional openings are rare. Over the past 45 years, Northwest Florida has only had four U.S. Representatives: Bob Sikes, Earl Hutto, Joe Scarborough, and Miller. The last two, Scarborough and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 8, 2015

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In the past week, it was learned that two major Hollywood productions intending to film in the Tampa Bay area chose not to because the state had no tax incentives to provide. The Tampa Tribune‘s Paul Guzzo reported on Thursday that “Gifted,” a new Hollywood film starring Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer about a St. Petersburg […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2015

If you’re keeping track of time, there is B.T. and A.T.: Before Trump and After Trump. At the beginning of summer, there were (at least) 10 big questions facing Florida politics. But those questions, particularly the ones involving the myriad of presidential candidates hailing from the Sunshine State, are so B.T. On June 16, Donald Trump entered the […]

Peter Schorsch: The Top Five stories from Tallahassee – and more

Not waiting for Greg Evers’ decision, Clay Ingram says he won’t run for state Senate

Republican James Zumwalt announces run in Florida’s 1st Congressional District

Matt Gaetz says he’s raised $350K in first 10 days for congressional bid

Frank White files in GOP-heavy HD 2

Campaign finance laws can help or hinder candidates, like Matt Gaetz or Mike Haridopolos, switching races

Jeff Miller endorses Neal Dunn for Congress in CD-2

Rick Outzen: Political domino games begin with Jeff Miller’s announcement

AFP prepares sequel to fight film subsidy bills in 2016

Peter Schorsch: Answers to top 10 big questions in Florida politics lurch into view