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

Drew WilsonSeptember 12, 2018

From Margaritaville to Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants and Land Shark Lager, Jimmy Buffett is one of the most merchandised musical acts outside of K.I.S.S. or The Red Rocker. That trend continues with the announcement of a new partnership with medical marijuana company Surterra, which will be the exclusive vendor of Buffett’s newest creation: Coral Reefer. […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 10, 2018

Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva and the two Republican lawmakers set to succeed him in that post will be in Orlando next week for a fundraiser benefitting the re-election campaigns of their Central Florida colleagues. Oliva, Palm Harbor Rep. Chris Sprowls and Palm Coast Rep. Paul Renner will headline the Sept. 12 fundraising reception at […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 10, 2018

Florida’s primary elections had some shockers, none more so than the surprise win of Andrew Gillum in the Democratic primary for Governor. Further down the ticket, in the Republican primary for Escambia County’s state House District 1, there was another big upset: Former state Rep. Mike Hill’s 3-point victory over rising GOP star Rebekah Bydlak. […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 7, 2018

In the first week since becoming the Democratic nominee for Governor, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum collected more than $4 million in contributions between his campaign and committee accounts. Team Gillum raked in $4.03 million during the reporting period covering Aug. 25-31, including $1.7 million in hard money and another $2.3 million for his affiliated political […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 7, 2018

Businessman and philanthropist David Straz put out a new campaign video Thursday outlining his vision for Tampa’s future as his campaign to take over as mayor gets fully underway. In the two-minute video, Straz focuses on the city’s economy and doubles down on his experience as the only candidate in the crowded race “who has managed a […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 7, 2018

A referendum that would add a penny sales tax to fund transportation improvements in Hillsborough County has cleared a mandatory audit conducted by the state Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Hillsborough County posted the results of the audit on their website Thursday, which were required to be completed and made available to […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 6, 2018

A new ad paid for by a committee charged with maintaining the Republican majority in the state Senate is hitting House Minority Leader and Senate District 18 candidate Janet Cruz for claiming homestead exemptions on multiple properties a decade ago. The ad, titled “Lower Taxes,” notes that even though the Tampa Democrat, who is challenging […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 6, 2018

A Thursday email sent out by the Republican Governors Association slammed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum as “too radical for Florida” based on comments he made regarding recent violence in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. “In a recent podcast interview, Gillum ‘condemn[ed]’ Israel for ‘murder’ for acting in self-defense against Hamas terrorist operatives attempting to ‘breach into Israel’s borders,’ […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 6, 2018

A poll commissioned after Matt Gaetz cruised past his two primary challengers found that Republican primary voters were just fine with their Congressman supporting medical marijuana. Nearly 70 percent of Republicans in Florida’s 1st Congressional District told St. Pete Polls they cast their ballot for Gaetz in last week’s primary election. Though the Shalimar Congressman’s actual vote total was closer […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 5, 2018

Sarasota Republican Rep. Joe Gruters will be raising cash in Tallahassee later this month for his bid to succeed Greg Steube in Senate District 23. The Sept. 18 reception will be held in the library of the Governors Club, 202 South Adams St., from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those looking to attend can direct […]

Drew Wilson
Image via AP.

Surterra Wellness teams up with Jimmy Buffett for ‘Coral Reefer’ cannabis brand

Top House Republicans holding fundraiser for Central Florida incumbents

Mike Hill’s comeback bid needed every trick in the book

Andrew Gillum has raised $4M since becoming Democratic nominee for Governor

David Straz outlines plan for Tampa’s future in new campaign video

Hillsborough transit tax referendum clears state audit

New ad hits Janet Cruz over past property tax blunder

Email insights: RGA says Andrew Gillum ‘too radical for Florida’

Poll: Matt Gaetz’s medical marijuana support A-OK with CD 1 Republicans

Joe Gruters holding Tallahassee fundraiser for SD 23 bid