Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 2, 2017

Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Webster has joined the Western Caucus in a call for Congress to overhaul the Endangered Species Act, declaring it a failure for endanger species and a “crushing” burden on agriculture. Webster, of Lake County, was one of 30 Republican congressmen to sign a letter Tuesday to congressional leaders calling for them […]

Associated PressJuly 23, 2017

President Donald Trump‘s performance in the White House will make it harder for Republicans — and billionaires — in the coming elections, two of his most prominent critics said Saturday. Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush lashed out at the Republican president during separate remarks at a summer festival in New […]

Scott PowersJuly 14, 2017

Republican House District 44 candidate John Newstreet dismissed questions Friday about whether he actually lives in the district, and for how long, seeking to end a whisper campaign that publicly surfaced during a debate Thursday. At the West Orange County Republican Women’s Club debate Thursday Newstreet fielded a question about whether he truly was an […]

Scott PowersJuly 13, 2017

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Updated: Late Thursday John Newstreet issued a statement saying he misspoke about his views on Obamacare, saying he inadvertently reversed the numbers 80 percent and 20 percent when referring to the good and bad. The four Republicans seeking to win the Aug. 15 primary for the open Florida House District 44 seat in Orange County […]

Scott PowersJuly 12, 2017

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The four Republicans fighting to win the Aug. 15 primary for the empty seat in Florida’s House District 44 began defining their differences in their second major debate, Wednesday night. In a forum cosponsored by the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida and Business Force, Bruno Portigliatti, Bobby Olszewski, John Newstreet, and Dr. Usha Jain […]

Scott PowersJune 26, 2017

The generational divide on gay marriage just crossed another threshold as a new poll finds that majorities of Americans in every age bracket now support same-sex marriage except for the oldest, those in the Silent Generation. The latest biennial survey by the Pew Research Center finds for the first time that a majority of those […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

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Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Orlando businessman Bruno Portigliatti qualified for the ballot Monday for the upcoming special election in Florida’s House District 44, giving the Republicans four qualified candidates for the Aug. 15 primary. Portigliatti, of Orlando, is chief executive officer of Excellence Senior Living, a developer of luxury assisted living facilities for seniors, and executive vice president of Florida […]

Scott PowersJune 16, 2017

Businessman and Kissimmee chamber of commerce executive John Newstreet has qualified by petition as a Republican candidate running in the special election to fill the Florida House District 44 opening for west Orange County. And in the same district, a second Democratic candidate now has filed, Nuren Durre Haider of Orlando, who is vice chair […]

Scott PowersJune 14, 2017

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A handful of Republicans and Libertarians gathered in Orlando Wednesday to announce formation of a conservative group to oppose Florida’s death penalty, yet tried hard to distance themselves from controversial and progressive anti-death penalty State Attorney Aramis Ayala, whose office was only 30 feet away. The group Florida Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty is an offshoot […]

Tag: Republicans

Dan Webster joins call for overhaul of Endangered Species Act

Jeb Bush, Mark Cuban: Donald Trump dragging down GOP, billionaires

John Newstreet defends residency in, commitment to House District 44

HD 44 Republicans offer differing views on Obamacare

HD 44 special election Republicans distinguish themselves on self-portrayals

New poll finds same-sex marriage support in every generation except elders

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069

Fourth Republican, Bruno Portigliatti, qualifies for HD 44 special election

John Newstreet qualifies by petition, second Democrat enters HD 44 race

Conservative group forms to oppose Florida’s death penalty