Florida Politics

Emails & Opinions Headlines

November 4, 2024

Staff Reports

Diagnosis for 11.4.24: Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy

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Emails & Opinions Headlines

November 4, 2024

Staff Reports

Last Call for 11.4.24 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

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2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

November 4, 2024

Memo: Florida GOP encouraged by early voting overperformance

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Headlines Tallahassee

November 4, 2024

This student-led PAC’s voter-mobilization effort in SD 3 is reporting some eye-catching numbers

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Headlines Tampa Bay

November 4, 2024

Staff Reports

With Pinellas property tax referendum, teacher pay bonuses hang in the balance

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Headlines Influence

November 4, 2024

Drew Wilson

Personnel note: Bo Rivard joins Rubin Turnbull & Associates’ lobbying team

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APolitical Headlines

November 4, 2024

Florida Phoenix

Tips for surviving Election Day

2 8min 0

Headlines Influence

November 4, 2024

Florida Phoenix

New Florida Medicaid Director named

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2024 – Presidential

2024 – Presidential

Here’s what the Donald Trump campaign thinks heading into Election Day

Compared to 2020, female and urban turnout is down while rural turnout is up.

4 3min

2024 – Presidential Headlines

Lincoln Project ad mocks ‘undisciplined baby’ Donald Trump, hypes up staff disloyalty

‘You know you’re losing, Donald. It’s over.’

15 4min

2024 – Presidential Headlines

FAU poll: Kamala Harris holds edge in key swing states, but it’s neck-and-neck

It’s going down to the wire with polls closing tomorrow.

2 3min

2024 – Presidential Headlines

Jacob Ogles

New poll shows Donald Trump, Rick Scott winning in Florida, with pot, abortion amendments falling short

Victory Insights shows the Republican statewide candidates with greater than majority support.

49 4min

2024 – Presidential Headlines

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will both make a furious last-day push before Election Day

It’s the final countdown.

3 8min

2024 – Presidential Headlines

Prediction market between Kamala Harris, Donald Trump evens out as early voting ends

Harris’ Saturday surge ebbed as Sunday progressed.

36 2min

2024 – Initiatives

2024 – Initiatives Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Ron DeSantis, administration leaders urge votes to think of the children before legalizing pot

Will these fears mean the measure falls short of 60%?

8 5min

2024 – Initiatives Headlines

Casey DeSantis worries abortion, recreational pot amendments could help Democrats ‘regain ground’

‘People would be coming here and they might not be sympathetic to parental rights in education.’

14 2min

2024 – Initiatives Headlines

State leaders are fighting against abortion rights in Florida and across the country

Unlike Florida, none of the other states require a supermajority for these initiatives to pass.

17 7min

2024 – Initiatives Headlines

How Florida’s fight over abortion rights became an all-out war against the state

DeSantis’ supporters praise his efforts. His critics say his actions are illegal.

18 8min

2024 – Initiatives Headlines

Nonpartisan ‘good government’ group urges voters to kill Amendment 6, keep public campaign funding intact

The group warns that Amendment 6 ‘would give more power to billionaires and dark money special interests in Florida elections.’

2 6min

2024 – Initiatives Headlines

Joe Gruters eviscerates recreational pot initiative opponent at USF forum

Gruters set the record straight on the amendment as voters appear ready to back the legalization push.

5 6min

2024 – Down Ballot

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Memo: Florida GOP encouraged by early voting overperformance

The GOP is keeping a particularly watchful eye on Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Pinellas and Seminole counties.

1 5min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Fresh Take Florida

Black voters in Florida lagging in election in early, mail voting

‘You’re seeing people that are more hesitant, people that are unsure.’

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2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Florida GOP touts ‘strong position’ headed into Election Day voting

Republicans showed up in droves. Can Democrats close the gap Tuesday?

21 2min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Rick Scott says low-propensity voters trust him as a change agent

The Senator has won every election he’s had since 2010 and is favored to win this year as well.

8 3min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Paula Stark squeaked into office in 2022. Will spending scandals open her to defeat by Maria Revelles?

After winning in 2022 by fewer than 1,000 votes, the Republican hopes voters appreciate her record representing a deep blue seat.

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2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Jason Pizzo on track for commanding SD 37 victory against minimally funded foe

Pizzo heads to Election Day with myriad advantages and no shortage of support.

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2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Equal Ground dispatches pastors to polls in effort to limit voter intimidation

Marcus McCoy and other pastors are seeking to de-escalate tensions at precincts.

3 4min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertain

Senate Republican leadership transition uncertain in face of upcoming election as Florida’s Sen. Rick Scott is in the mix.

3 13min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Kristen Arrington aims to keep SD 25 blue, but Jose Martinez says voters deserve a Spanish-speaking Senator

Will the Democratic lawmaker be promoted to the Senate?

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2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Katherine Waldron set for HD 93 showdown with challenger Anne Gerwig

Gerwig enjoyed close to $44K worth of in-kind aid from the Republican Party of Florida. Waldron reported no such help from the Florida Democratic Party.

2 9min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Peggy Gossett-Seidman aims to fend off better-funded challenger Jay Shooster in HD 91

Gossett-Seidman had strong accomplishments on which to run for re-election. Shooster is spending big to overshadow them.

1 10min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Vicki Lopez faces underdog challenger Jackie Gross-Kellogg in red-shifting HD 113

In early October, registered Republicans overtook Democrats in the district by 276 voters.

0 13min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

3 Orange County Commission seats up for grabs in high-stakes election

Voters will decide Districts 1, 3 and 5 on the Orange County Commission.

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2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Republicans stretch early in-person vote advantage past 1 million votes

Democrats still lead in mail ballots, meanwhile.

8 2min

2024 – Down Ballot Headlines

Fresh Take Florida

In Florida, women voters turning out in larger numbers than men so far

‘You’re having a record turnout among Democratic and Republican women — among liberal, moderate and conservative women.’

16 10min

Legislative, Influence & Policy

Headlines Influence

Drew Wilson

Personnel note: Bo Rivard joins Rubin Turnbull & Associates’ lobbying team

Rivard previously chaired Citizens Property Insurance and FWC.

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Headlines Influence

Florida Phoenix

New Florida Medicaid Director named

‘He’s a really good, young guy, bright. He works hard and works well with others.’

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Headlines Influence

Prisoners plead for air conditioning in lawsuit against Department of Corrections

Is climate control a human right?

1 4min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

George Will praises dynamic Florida as he boos the state of national politics

‘State-based organizations like this are going to save us,’ he said of event host Florida TaxWatch.

5 6min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

Grover Norquist says Florida’s conservative policies will serve as model to other red states

From taxes to gun policy, he said Florida has proven that conservative practices work.

9 4min

Headlines Influence

Jacob Ogles

Hospitality experts discuss impact of federal policy on Florida workforce

Human trafficking concerns and visa programs both arose as topics about South Florida’s resort economy.

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Culture Wars

Culture Wars Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Barry Goldwater Jr. laments nation’s drift toward ‘socialism’

The son of the one-time presidential nominee also discussed the need for more civil discourse.

5 4min

Culture Wars Headlines

Too hot at Disney World? Some fear climate change’s impact in Orlando

Florida Politics spent months obtaining public records to understand climate change’s effect at Disney World.

5 17min

Culture Wars Headlines

Gov. DeSantis stonewalls question about climate change, accuses media of ‘virtue signaling’

‘I don’t subscribe to your religion.’

29 10min

Culture Wars Headlines

Florida GOP denounces Donna Deegan’s ‘antisemitic rhetoric’ regarding ‘concentration camps’

Chair Evan Power pilloried the Jacksonville Mayor’s ‘unhinged’ statements about Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

17 3min

Culture Wars Headlines

Book bans are down in Florida but the fight over censorship remains, advocate group says

Some of the contested books in Florida this year are over classic titles.

5 5min

Culture Wars Headlines

Dockworkers’ union to suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract

The walkout raised the risk of shortages of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks.

7 7min

Jacksonville

Headlines Jax

Machete-wielding Donald Trump supporter menaces Democrat voters at Neptune Beach polling place

16 4min

‘Transparency’: Donna Deegan releases financials on London trip

Political football: Jacksonville City Councilman seeks audit of Donna Deegan’s Europe trip

From Cheerio to Ciao: Details emerge on Donna Deegan’s European vacation

NE Florida

Headlines NE Florida

A Flagler School Board candidate lost his race. Gov. DeSantis appointed him to the Board anyway

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Home sales drop in September among Northeast Florida counties

Palm Coast advises residents to begin Hurricane Milton debris removal process

North Florida coastal counties split on impacts from Milton, some order residents to stay home

Orlando

Headlines Orlando

Can Monique Worrell survive Andrew Bain … and Ron DeSantis?

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Democrats worry about long early voting lines in Orange County

Maxwell Frost, David Hogg say permitless carry law contributed to Orlando mass shooting

Shootings kill 2 and wound 6 during Halloween celebrations in Orlando

St. Pete

Headlines St. Pete

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Cookie Kennedy looks to preserve Pinellas Commission seat for Dems, but faces stiff challenge from Chris Scherer

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Now serving from the minority on Pinellas Commission, Charlie Justice fights to keep his seat blue

St. Pete seeks to assuage concerns about 49% rule, debris removal

Deborah Figgs-Sanders faces tough challenge from ‘mompreneur’ Torrie Jasuwan

SW Florida

Headlines SW Florida

Will people leave Florida after devastating hurricanes? History suggests not

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Lee County Sheriff’s Office spearheads cross-agency collaboration effort

Fiona McFarland strikes the right tone at the right time

Governor pumps money into storm-ravaged SeaPort Manatee

Tampa

Headlines Tampa Bay

Staff Reports

With Pinellas property tax referendum, teacher pay bonuses hang in the balance

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Sean Shaw hopes to make a political comeback, and Democrats need him to be successful

Ken Frink, Victoria Smith offer contrast for Citrus County School Board

Holly Davis warily eyes no-party candidate Paul Grogan for Citrus County Commission

Panhandle

Drew Dixon

Latest renewable gas plant in Madison County completed and pumping fuel to northeast Florida

1 3min

Gulf Coast Board moves forward with some $32M in public projects for Panhandle counties

Faith-based summit set for Florida’s Panhandle on Thursday

Gov. DeSantis appoints current candidate to Escambia County Commission

Tallahassee

Headlines Tallahassee

This student-led PAC’s voter-mobilization effort in SD 3 is reporting some eye-catching numbers

3 6min 0

Ron DeSantis warns son that Florida State football futility will continue

Gov. DeSantis expects Helene landfall near Taylor County, says there’s still time to get out before landfall

Tallahassee airport closed; Gainesville airport to shut down 8 p.m.

Communities

Communities Headlines

Staff Reports

Bill Gladson endorses Matt McClain for Marion County Commission

3min 0

Are Alachua Commissioners about to pay for a house of cardboard?

Governor appoints Deborah Cunningham, Adam Lee to county court judgeships

Florida housing market takes December hit, rebound projected for 2024

South Florida

Headlines South Florida

Provocateur Fabián Basabe faces mild-mannered Joe Saunders in HD 106 clash

It’s one of the most-watched Florida House races this cycle.

0 18min

Headlines South Florida

Palm Beach State Attorney candidate took $100K from donor that violated Cuba embargo

He criticized his Democratic opponent last week for accepting $1K from a donor convicted of tax evasion.

4 8min

Headlines South Florida

Complaints filed against Doral Mayor over false Miami-Dade GOP endorsement

State GOP rules generally prohibit endorsements in races with multiple Republican candidates.

1 6min

Headlines South Florida

Candidates clash for vital Miami-Dade Clerk and Comptroller job

Appointed Republican Clerk Juan Fernandez-Barquin has proven he can do the job. Democrat Annette Taddeo says she can do it better.

0 13min

Headlines South Florida

Miami-Dade voters are electing their first Sheriff in decades. They have 2 solid choices

Both candidates boast decades of experience in uniformed service and leadership credentials.

0 14min

Headlines South Florida

Staff Reports

Colleagues-turned-foes Ric Bradshaw, Michael Gauger face off for Palm Beach County Sheriff

Bradshaw and Gauger spent 16 years working side-by-side as Sheriff and Chief Deputy.

0 7min

Federal

Federal Headlines

Voters view one another across partisan divide with increasing animosity

Some said they believe the country is headed for an even more dramatic splintering.

2 10min

Federal Headlines

Rick Scott floats HSA-style plan for homeowners’ storm hardening, with Jimmy Patronis in support

The Senator claims this gives homeowners a ‘triple tax advantage.’

6 3min

Federal Headlines

War of words: Rick Scott ‘shocked’ by Mitch McConnell accusing him of playing ‘victim’

Hurt feelings from a rocky 2022 have not healed with time.

16 4min

Federal Headlines

Ashley Moody sues feds over thwarted Donald Trump assassination attempt probe

‘We don’t believe the law supports that.’

20 3min

Federal Headlines

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Florida congressional delegation makes bipartisan call for more flexibility from FEMA on storm debris collection

‘As you drive through our community, you can’t miss the piles of debris and trash that has been rotting along roadways and in driveways for weeks.’

2 5min

Federal Headlines

‘Recruit more companies’: Rick Scott says competition would fix property insurance spikes

The Senator has been outspoken in describing market failings in the Ron DeSantis era, though not mentioning the current Governor’s name while doing so.

8 5min

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Ron DeSantis ally takes helm of British Tory party

Badenoch will have her work cut out for her in Keir Starmer’s Britain.

3 2min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Cuba’s power grid goes offline after power plant fails, but some power is back

The supply crunch is unprecedented outside of the aftermath of hurricanes.

3 2min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Florida political leaders reflect 1 year after Oct. 7 attack on Israel

Florida is home to America’s third-largest population of Jewish people.

1 51min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

As major hurricane threatens Florida, Ron DeSantis weighs in on UK Tory leadership fight

Kemi Badenoch could be ‘inspiration for conservatives not just in the United Kingdom but around the world.’

4 3min

Foreign Affairs Headlines

Jacob Ogles

Florida Dems cry foul as Donald Trump threatens to revoke TPS for Haitians

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he will revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians if he wins in November. That’s a move that could affect tens of thousands of Haitians living legally in Florida. Trump made his comments to NewsNation at a Texas fundraiser while discussing a high concentration of Haitian immigrants in Ohio. […]

3 10min

Foreign Affairs Headlines