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

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

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Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsely piled on more than 30 endorsements from local officials Monday as she sprints toward the finish line in the four-way Republican primary to succeed Adam Putnam as Agriculture Commissioner. Monday’s list included state Rep. Ben Albritton, Highlands County Tax Collector Eric Zwayer, Lawtey Chief of Police Shane Bennett, nine county school […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

An Ocala non-profit organization has made up to $100,000 in illegal expenditures advocating for Olysha Magruder in the Democratic primary for Senate District 8, but the candidate has brushed off concerns about the spending by saying it’s “traditional campaign activity” and accusing supporters of her opponent of “slandering” her character. The Liberation Ocala African American […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

House Minority Leader Janet Cruz announced Monday that she was yanking her endorsement of School Board member Susan Valdes. Valdes is running in the Democratic primary to decide who will succeed Cruz, the outgoing House Democratic Leader, in House District 62. “At a time when we’re learning Hillsborough schools have (broken) ACs, leaky roofs and […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez scored a last-minute endorsement from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn in the race to succeed House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in Hillsborough County’s House District 62. “There is only one candidate in this race that speaks to the heart and soul of this district and that is Mike Alvarez,” Buckhorn said. “He […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

Leon County Judge John Cooper on Monday ordered a contentious education amendment removed from the November ballot. Amendment 8 bundled three education issues of varying popularity. It would set eight-year term limits for county school board members; require “civic literacy” to be promoted in public schools, and would strip school boards of their sole authority […]

Drew WilsonAugust 19, 2018

The two Republican contenders to succeed term-limited Rep. Larry Ahern in House District 66 have already spent nearly $335,000 combined and show little sign of slowing down as the primary election approaches. Seminole attorney Berny Jacques held on to his fundraising lead after bringing $50,660 between his campaign account and political committee, Protect Pinellas, during […]

Drew WilsonAugust 18, 2018

Madeira Beach attorney Ray Blacklidge posted another healthy round of campaign finance reports ahead of his head-to-head showdown with St. Petersburg attorney Jeremy Bailie in the Republican primary for Pinellas County’s House District 69. The new reports, covering Aug. 4 through Aug. 10, show Blacklidge tacked on $2,200 in hard money and another $10,000 for […]

Drew WilsonAugust 18, 2018

Gonzalez Republican Rebekah Bydlak has been the fundraising leader in the race for House District 1 for months, and newly filed campaign finance reports show she’s maintaining that lead in the twilight ahead of the primary race. Between Aug. 4 and Aug. 10, Bydlak added another $5,310 to her campaign account, bringing her overall fundraising […]

Drew WilsonAugust 18, 2018

A Florida non-profit known as Liberation Ocala African American Council Inc. has been making a late push for Democratic Senate District 8 candidate Olysha Magruder, but its methods may be running afoul of state campaign finance laws. The company, run by former Marion County NAACP president Whitfield Jenkins, has footed the bill for a number […]

Drew WilsonAugust 17, 2018

Lobbying firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney brought in an estimated $720,000 in fees during between April and June according to newly filed compensation reports. Lobbyists are required to report compensation from their principals in ranges covering $10,000 increments. Using the median number from those ranges shows the firm’s efforts yielded $430,000 in revenue for legislative lobbying […]

Drew Wilson

More local officials endorse Denise Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner

Olysha Magruder A-OK with ‘dark money’ support in SD 8 Democratic primary

Janet Cruz rescinds endorsement of Susan Valdes in HD 62 primary

Bob Buckhorn endorses Mike Alvarez in HD 62 Democratic primary

Education amendment struck from November ballot—for now

Berny Jacques adds $50K, Nick DiCeglie loans $40K in HD 66 Republican primary

Ray Blacklidge reels in $12K as HD 69 Republican primary looms

Rebekah Bydlak maintains cash lead in HD 1 Republican primary

Elections complaint filed against non-profit backing Olysha Magruder in SD 8

Diverse clients boost Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney bottom line