Drew Wilson, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJanuary 9, 2019

Rep. Brad Drake filed a bill Wednesday that would redirect settlement money from the BP oil spill into a new economic development fund in Northwest Florida. HB 191 would create the Northwest Florida Rural Inland Affected Counties Recovery Fund, which would receive 5 percent of all payments the state receives from BP after July 1, […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 8, 2019

Just hours after the inauguration Tuesday of Gov. Ron DeSantis, his predecessor, Rick Scott, was sworn into the U.S. Senate. Scott appeared at DeSantis’ inauguration ceremony in Tallahassee and then went to Washington, where Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office Scott was joined by fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, and former […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 8, 2019

Mr. President, make America’s roads safe again. The beginning of every year should be a time of hope, with the possibility of changing behavior for the better. Tragically, a traffic crash only three days into the new year ended in death for five children aged 9 to 14 on I-75 Gainesville. My nightmare began on […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019

In a unanimous vote, VISIT FLORIDA’s board of directors on Monday approved former state Sen. Dana Young as its next CEO. The appointment, recommended by Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, was met with praise by the board. Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said Young had a “100 percent voting record” […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis made a campaign promise that he would pursue a fracking ban in Florida, and a Clearwater-based group is making sure he doesn’t forget. Floridians Against Fracking (via Food & Water Watch) said in a Friday news release that it would set up “large visuals throughout Tallahassee in coordination with the Governor’s inauguration […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019

National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer rolled out the specter of Everytown for Gun Safety in a Friday email to shake some cash out of gun rights supporters. The core of the “alert” was that lobby firm Smith Bryan & Myers is representing the Michael Bloomberg-backed group in Tallahassee, a bit of info she picked […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2019

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Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis has asked the top Medicaid official in the Donald Trump administration to serve as the Agency for Healthcare Administration’s new secretary. Mary Mayhew is set to take over the position currently held by Justin Senior. Senior announced last month that he would step down to take a position at the Safety Net […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2019

State Rep. Wengay Newton was sworn-in for his second term a couple months ago, and his wife Melissa Newton is thanking his supporters this weekend with an “appreciation bar-b-que.” “Come out and celebrate my husband’s re-election to a second term in the Florida House of Representatives,” the invite reads. “Thanks for your vote.” The barbecue […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 3, 2019

The further out from Election Day, the more valid U.S. Rep.-elect Ross Spano‘s excuses seem. But the hits keep coming. Shortly after he defeated Democratic opponent Kristen Carlson in the race for Florida’s 15 Congressional District, it was revealed he funded his campaign with loans from a pair of his supporters. The Dover Republican blamed the […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 3, 2019

The special election hasn’t been called yet, but the arms race to replace Republican state Rep. Halsey Beshears in House District 7 is ramping up. A day after five current and retired sheriffs announced they were backing his opponent, Port St. Joe Republican Jason Shoaf put out a fundraiser invite featuring a slew of influential […]

Drew Wilson
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

Brad Drake bill would bring BP money to inland Northwest Florida

Rick Scott sworn into U.S. Senate

Irv Slosberg: Did government shutdown prevent learning cause of crash?

Dana Young approved as next VISIT FLORIDA CEO

Activist group to remind Ron DeSantis of anti-fracking pledge

Email insights: Marion Hammer’s latest ‘alert’ is years late

Medicaid chief tapped as next AHCA secretary

Wengay Newton hosting barbecue in St. Pete Saturday

Ross Spano’s former accountant lands him in more hot water

Big name Republicans on board for Jason Shoaf fundraiser