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

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 WilsonJuly 19, 2018

State Sen. Dana Young is looking for supporters to turn out this weekend to help spread the word about her reelection campaign in Senate District 18. To give the campaign a spark heading into the final three months before Election Day, the Tampa Republican has planned a “Super Weekend” of canvassing events in the Hillsborough […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

Auburndale Republican Neil Combee started hitting the airwaves in Florida’s 15th Congressional District with a new ad touting his presidential appointment and his support for Donald Trump’s border wall. The 30-second ad features Combee, a former state Representative, on a ranch with his family and neighbors pitches him as the most conservative candidate in the […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

It has been a month since Bill Carlson announced his bid for the District 4 seat on the Tampa City Council, and his first finance report puts him atop the three-person field. Carlson, president of Tampa-based public relations firm Tucker Hall, raised $31,446 during his first 30 days in the race and ended the month with […]

Drew Wilson
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

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

Dana Young holding ‘super weekend’ canvassing events

Neil Combee touts Donald Trump connection in first TV ad

Bill Carlson makes a splash in first finance report