Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosDecember 11, 2017

A witness for Sen. Jack Latvala in the sexual harassment case sued his accuser for defamation on Friday, claiming she spread lies about her having sexual encounters with colleagues and about her being mentally-ill. Lily Tysinger, a 22-year-old Senate staffer, got tangled up in the Senate sexual harassment investigation when she released an affidavit that […]

Peter SchorschDecember 11, 2017

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you may have wondered how much holiday eggnog I had to drink Friday night after I launched a series of tweets directed at Republican political consultant Brian Hughes. I ain’t even gonna lie. @GoMeteoric snitched to @FLPressCorps about @FredPiccoloJr moonlighting for me. Hughes thinks that would […]

Mitch PerryDecember 8, 2017

While the Florida Democratic Party has called for Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater to step down in the wake of accusations of sexual harassment, only two of the 15 Democratic senators have followed suit. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum says that may be because of the institutional structure and the nature of relationships in the […]

Ana CeballosDecember 7, 2017

After saying that politicians in Tallahassee treat Session and committee weeks like it’s “spring break,” Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham said Thursday that if she becomes Governor “the party is over.” “It’s time our public servants truly serve the people and that can only happen when politicians stop serving themselves,” Graham said at a press […]

Peter SchorschDecember 6, 2017

There is a scene in the always-watchable movie “The Late Shift” — a behind-the-scenes look at the network politics that embroil television executives responsible for late-night programming after 1991’s retirement announcement of Johnny Carson — in which Tonight Show producer Peter Lassally (played by Steven Gilborn) has a come-to-Jesus conversation with David Letterman in which […]

Ana CeballosDecember 5, 2017

Embattled Sen. Jack Latvala is facing yet another complaint, this time by one of his allies accusing him of interfering in a Senate investigation by using defense tactics that aim to publicly attack and shame the woman who is accusing him of sexual harassment. Sen. Lauren Book field the formal complaint late on Tuesday with […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party now says Sen. Jack Latvala “must resign” in light of “the numerous allegations of sexual harassment against” him. The party released a statement Tuesday through its spokeswoman, Johanna Cervone. It follows calls from fellow GOP senators also calling for him to, or suggesting that he, step down from office. “Latvala’s behavior is […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott‘s top lawyer has – at least for now – turned down a request to appoint a special prosecutor from the attorney representing Rachel Perrin Rogers, a Senate staffer who has accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexual harassment. The reason: Scott doesn’t yet have “the legal authority” to appoint a prosecutor. “This morning, […]

Ana CeballosDecember 4, 2017

Before she filed a sexual harassment complaint against Sen. Jack Latvala, Senate aide Rachel Perrin Rogers allegedly engaged in a pattern of raising claims against fellow staffers at the Senate Majority Office, according to a sworn affidavit released Monday. But the head of that office, Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson, now says it is part of […]

Ana CeballosDecember 1, 2017

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday said her “heart breaks” for the Senate staffer who in a sworn statement said Sen. Jack Latvala groped her private body parts and sexually harassed her for years, and called for legislation to protect sexual harassment victims. “I was astonished to learn that one of the victims of […]

Tag: Rachel Perrin Rogers

Jack Latvala accuser sued by former colleague for defamation

Brian Hughes drops a dime

Andrew Gillum questions Senate Democrats’ silence on Jack Latvala

Gwen Graham to ‘chummy’ politicians: ‘When I’m Governor, the party is over’

Et tu, Lauren Book

Senator files complaint against Jack Latvala for hindering Senate probe

Florida Democratic Party: Jack Latvala ‘must resign’

Request denied: Rick Scott won’t (yet) appoint special prosecutor in Jack Latvala case

Affidavit: Jack Latvala accuser boasted about sabotaging people’s careers

Pam Bondi calls for legislation to protect sexual harassment victims