Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 7, 2018

HB 839, a bill requiring school districts to display Florida’s motto “In God We Trust,” cleared its final House committee stop Wednesday. The bill requires display in all “school buildings” in a given district, including school district structures. The House Education committee cleared the bill Wednesday with just one no vote, with Republicans and Democrats […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters‘ attempt to amend an House ethics reform bill resulted in virtual fireworks Thursday, with a prominent lobbyist saying Peters was targeting him and a lawmaker bemoaning “political gymnastics” that temporarily gummed up the measure. One of Peters’ amendments would have banned sitting lawmakers and their immediate family members from working for lobbying firms. The […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2017

Five Central Florida candidates for the Florida House each raised more than $10,000 for their campaigns in November, including incumbent Republican state Reps. Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, David Santiago, and Bob Cortes along with first-time Democratic candidate Anna Eskamani. Olszewski of Winter Garden, who took his seat after winning a special election in October, reported raising […]

Ana CeballosNovember 16, 2017

As state Rep. Neil Combee prepares to leave the Florida House to take a post in President Donald Trump’s administration, he announced Thursday that state Rep. Jennifer Sullivan will be taking over his chairmanship at the Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee. “Be kind, be generous and do a good job,” Combee told teary-eyed members of […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2017

Another wave of endorsements went out Thursday for two of the candidates running for Attorney General. Ashley Moody picked up another endorsement from the law enforcement community with the addition of 7th Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza, who said Moody was “the only candidate in this race qualified to be our next Attorney General.” “Her […]

Scott PowersSeptember 7, 2017

State Rep. Bob Cortes raised more than $26,000 for his re-election campaign in Florida House District 30 in August, more than doubling his campaign fund for the 2018 election. Cortes, a Republican from Altamonte Springs who hosted a major fundraiser on August 1, increased his re-election campaign fund to $49,960 in donations, with $4,892 in […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

Faced with a potentially-serious Republican nomination challenger, David Smith dropped another $25,000 loan into his campaign for what will be an open seat in Florida House District 28. Smith’s June 30 loan was augmented by $2,963 in fundraising in June, giving him $100,855 in total contributions and loans. He had primed his campaign when he […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

(Originally published Tuesday, June 6, 2017) At least eight House members and one senator won’t be attending some or all of this week’s Special Session, set for Wednesday-Friday. The June meeting is conflicting with some lawmakers’ plans, including one whose brother is getting married out of state. Below is a list, as of Tuesday afternoon, […]

Staff ReportsJune 5, 2017

A disgruntled former employee opened fire inside a Florida awning manufacturer on Monday, killing five workers there and then killing himself, officials said. The gunman was armed with a knife and a gun but did not stab anyone, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said during a news conference. Demings said the shooter — who had […]

Tag: Jennifer Sullivan
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Bill requiring schools to display state motto clears final House panel

‘Political gymnastics’: House panel kills Kathleen Peters’ ethics proposals

Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, Anna Eskamani, lead Central Florida House campaign gains

Jennifer Sullivan to take over Neil Combee’s chairmanship

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Ashley Moody, Frank White continue to build support for Attorney General bids

Bob Cortes raises $26K in August, tops among Seminole County house candidates

David Smith pours another $25,000 personal money into his HD 28 race, topping Central Florida races

Some lawmakers bowing out of Special Session

Florida leaders react to the shooting in Orlando