Associated Press, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 1, 2015

The longest-serving Cuban-American in Congress may be easing her support for the Cuban Adjustment Act. Miami Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has long defended the act, which generally shields Cubans from deportation if they reach U.S. shores and fast-tracks the process for permanent residency. But in a segment taped for “Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede” on […]

Associated PressNovember 1, 2015

The decadent 10-day Fantasy Fest concludes this weekend in Key West, capped by a Halloween parade expected to attract more than 60,000 spectators. Thousands of costumed revelers promenaded through the island’s historic district during Friday’s Masquerade March that began at a cemetery. Standouts included a group of white-faced “walking dead” in sombreros. Others wore costumes […]

Associated PressNovember 1, 2015

Guest lineups for the Sunday TV news shows: ABC’s “This Week” — House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; Republican presidential candidates Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina. ___ NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Ryan; Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush. ___ CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Ryan; Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md.; Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio. ___ CNN’s […]

Associated PressOctober 31, 2015

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a no-show Saturday. Ditto Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. The Florida Democratic Party held a weekend convention to rally supporters for next year’s election without the benefit of a presidential candidate actually showing up. Sure, party activists could pose with life-size cardboard cutouts of Clinton and Sanders, but Clinton was in South […]

Associated PressOctober 31, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump released a plan on Saturday aimed at improving veterans’ health care and other services in the wake of continued criticism of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under Trump’s plan, eligible veterans would be able to bring their veterans’ identification cards to any doctor or facility that accepts Medicare and be […]

Associated PressOctober 31, 2015

GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush has returned to Florida to recharge his struggling campaign. He spoke and took selfies with supporters at an outdoor rally Friday night before attending a high school football game in southwest Florida. Bush told the crowd that American voters are looking for “authenticity” in a presidential candidate and “not a […]

Associated PressOctober 31, 2015

Several Panama City Beach nightclub owners argue in a lawsuit filed Friday that local officials violated their rights and showed racial bias when they approved a series of new ordinances designed to curb spring break mayhem. The club owners, other businesses and eight other anonymous plaintiffs, described as representative club patrons of various races, claim […]

Associated PressOctober 30, 2015

The Republican National Committee says it’s suspending its partnership with NBC News and its properties and won’t allow the network to co-host a presidential primary debate scheduled for February. The letter from RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to NBC News chief Andrew Lack comes after this week’s heavily criticized debate on CNBC. Priebus says the CNBC […]

Associated PressOctober 30, 2015

In proposing the U.S. adopt a flat tax coupled with a levy similar to a European-style value added tax, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is contributing to a division in the Republican presidential field. Some simply want to cut existing rates. But others — Cruz among them — suggest scrapping the nation’s tax code entirely and […]

Associated PressOctober 29, 2015

Jeb Bush emerged from the third Republican debate as a candidate in crisis, with supporters struggling to understand why he keeps underperforming and advisers promising a turnaround before it’s too late. Campaigning in New Hampshire Thursday, Bush insisted his White House bid was “not on life support.” Still, advisers concede November will be his campaign’s […]

Associated Press
Glen Gilzean's swearing-in ceremony in May 2024. (Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office)

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen adjusts stance on Cuban Adjustment Act

Decadent Fantasy Fest comes to a close in Key West

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Florida Democrats rally for 2016 without Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders

Donald Trump releases plan aimed at improving veterans’ care

Jeb Bush returns to Florida to recharge campaign

Businesses say Panama City Beach violated their civil rights

GOP suspends partnership with NBC News for February debate

Ted Cruz adds to GOP divide on how best to overhaul tax system

After dismal debate, Jeb Bush seeks ways to steady campaign