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

Drew WilsonJuly 23, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam tacked on another $370,000 for his gubernatorial bid between July 7 and July 13, nearly putting him past the $35 million mark in total fundraising. The Bartow Republican raised $158,134 in hard money and brought in another $212,575 via his political committee, Florida Grown, for a total haul of $370,709. That’s […]

Drew WilsonJuly 23, 2018

Winter Park businessman Chris King edged out the other four Democrats running for Governor in his new campaign finance report thanks to another $1 million in self-funding. In addition to the cash infusion, King raised about $15,000 from small-dollar donors between his campaign account and political committee, Rise and Lead, Florida. His expenditures, however, wiped […]

Drew WilsonJuly 23, 2018

Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is out with another ad backing his campaign to be the next Governor of Florida. The 30-second ad, titled “Ella,” tells the story of the Levine campaign’s Tampa Bay director, Ella Coffee, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after accepting her position. The ad is the latest in a […]

Drew WilsonJuly 23, 2018

The political arm of the state’s largest professional trade association, Florida Realtors, has announced endorsements for another 16 candidates running for state legislative seats in the fall. The new endorsements follow the group’s bulk endorsement two weeks ago that saw 87 legislative candidates get the nod alongside the Florida Realtor’s top-of-ticket recommendations, which included Adam Putnam […]

Drew WilsonJuly 21, 2018

Recent polls have shown U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis rocketing ahead of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the Republican primary for Florida governor, but the Florida Chamber of Commerce said Friday in a memo obtained by Florida Politics that the race is a “virtual tie.” The pro-business group, which has endorsed Putnam, said its newest measure […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

A deep-dive into the financial disclosure filed by David Shapiro found some possibly hypocritical investments, particularly for a candidate saying he’ll push for “a full ban on weapons of war.” Shapiro is a leading Democrat in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Congressman Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican. According to Shapiro’s official personal finance report filed with the […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

Dover Republican Rep. Ross Spano is hosting a different kind of campaign event this weekend. The candidate for Florida’s 15th Congressional District is teaming up with the Plant City Republican Women Federated to host a free concealed carry weapons permit training class State law requires CCW applicants to “submit proof of competency with a firearm.” […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

A political committee backed by the billionaire GOP donor Charles Koch announced Thursday that it’s launching a direct mail campaign supporting U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis for Governor. Freedom Partners Action Fund, a Washington-based super PAC, endorsed DeSantis in the Republican primary for Governor last week, promising to back up its words with mail campaigns and […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

The Florida Chamber of Commerce released a “second round” of endorsements for state legislative races Thursday, adding four incumbents and 16 candidates to the 60 endorsements announced in May. “To help ensure Florida remains competitive, we need candidates that are focused on supporting jobs and the Floridians they employ,” said Marian Johnson, the Florida Chamber’s […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

Philanthropist David Straz is rolling out the first digital and TV ads supporting his Tampa Mayor bid starting today, eight months out from the March 5 election. “I want to introduce myself to the people of Tampa and demonstrate the impact I have had on our community as a private citizen,” Straz said Thursday. “Much […]

Drew Wilson
Memorial Day weekend could prove deadly if advice is not heeded to prevent drownings.

Adam Putnam scores another fundraising win, nears $35M raised

Chris King tosses another $1M into gubernatorial campaign

New ad says Philip Levine ‘leads with his heart’

Florida Realtors announce second wave of legislative endorsements

Florida Chamber says Ron DeSantis, Adam Putnam in ‘virtual tie’

David Shapiro seeks ‘full ban’ on weapons of war, but invests in ammo makers

Ross Spano’s CD 15 campaign footing the bill for concealed weapons course

Koch-backed group launches pro-Ron DeSantis direct mail campaign

Florida Chamber endorses 20 more state legislative candidates

David Straz releases first ads for Tampa Mayor campaign