Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonApril 22, 2016

Republican House District 52 candidate Brian Hodgers picked up the support Friday from construction industry trade group Associated Builders and Contractors. “I am honored to have the endorsement of ABC Florida,” said Hodgers. “The building industry is so important to our state and ABC’s commitment to free enterprise lines up perfectly with my values. I […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 15, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has vetoed a controversial alimony reform bill, saying in his veto letter the legislation had the potential to put the “wants of a parent before the child’s best interest.” The bill was the last one sent to the governor, and is the final bill of the 2016 legislative session he needed […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2016

The end of the 2016 legislative session last month can only mean one thing — election season is coming. Campaign finance reports were due to the state on Monday. The March fundraising reports show that more than two dozen candidates for the Florida House have more than $100,000 in cash on hand, and several candidates raised […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

Republican Reps. Ritch Workman and Debbie Mayfield put up middling fundraising numbers in a March reporting period shortened by a prohibition on accepting contributions during the 2016 Legislative Session, which ended March 11. Workman, who represents Melbourne in House District 52, reported raising just $5,000 while spending $10,459. Mayfield, from Vero Beach-based HD 54, reported raising $2,075 and spending […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 6, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott once again threw his support behind a bill to keep Florida from doing business with firms that boycott Israel. On Wednesday, Scott held a bill signing ceremony at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County in Boca Raton. It was a ceremonial event only; Scott formally signed the bill into law […]

Peter SchorschApril 5, 2016

After openly floating a state Senate candidacy — and thereby reneging on his promise to back state Rep. Ritch Workman in his hometown district — former Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Tuesday he will not seek to return to the Legislature. “After thoroughly considering this opportunity and the call by many in my community to run for the state Senate, weighted with what is […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2016

Three months after new congressional and Florida Senate maps shook up the landscape, some of Central Florida’s House races are starting to crystalize, though there’s still plenty of drama left for the fall. House Districts 25, 27 and 48 are all open due to Senate and congressional aspirations, and clear frontrunners have emerged in at least two of those […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-03-30-at-9.13.49-AM-1024x1024.png

An activist group is running a radio ad in the Tampa Bay area questioning St. Petersburg-based state Sen. Jeff Brandes’ ethics. The 60-second spot from Florida Strong is called “Let’s Make a (corrupt) Deal.” It attacks the Pinellas Republican for receiving campaign contributions from companies such as Duke Energy and insurance lobbyists, and then claims that he […]

Peter SchorschMarch 16, 2016

Ritch Workman isn’t leaving the race for state Senate District 17 — and he’s fed up with Mike Haridopolos suggesting he will. Workman, term-limited from running again for the Florida House, says the former Senate President is contacting political allies in Tallahassee and in the newly-renumbered SD 17 floating his possible candidacy in the race and, to Workman’s […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott declared his plan to lay waste to nearly 300 projects amounting to some $256 million with a preemptive announcement on Tuesday. Among the roughly $82 billion in funding items left standing: a controversial appropriation of $7 million to refresh the state’s stock of radio equipment for state law enforcement agents. The radio money making the cut […]

Tag: Ritch Workman
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Brian Hodgers gets nod from Associated Builders and Contractors in HD 52 race

Rick Scott vetoes contentious alimony bill

Dozens of candidates have raised $100,000 or more for their House races

Debbie Mayfield, Ritch Workman post ho-hum March fundraising figures in SD 17 race

Rick Scott ceremonially signs Israel anti-boycott bill

Mike Haridopolos bails on rumored return to state Senate

Here’s where sh*t stands in Central Florida’s state House races

Radio ad blasts Jeff Brandes on ethics

Ritch Workman not leaving state Senate race — no matter what Mike Haridopolos is saying

State police radios funds spared from veto list