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

Drew WilsonMay 6, 2018

Florida’s newest public university graduated 220 students Friday, most of whom were part of university’s inaugural class. Florida Polytechnic University, or Florida Poly, shed its old status as the Lakeland campus of the University of South Florida back in 2012 after the Legislature approved a plan for the school to be spun off as its […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Former Republican state Rep. Neil Combee is kicking off his campaign for Florida’s 15th Congressional District with an event in Polk City next week. The May 12 fundraiser will run from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Sunny Acres Lodge, owned by the family of Josie Tomkow. Combee was an avid supporter of Tomkow during […]

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2018

Amanda Murphy is back. The Pasco Democrat on Friday told Florida Politics she is running for the state Senate. The former state Representative said she was “sick and tired” of what’s happening in Tallahassee and that she wants to be back there to “fight the good fight.” Look for her to file as soon as Monday. The […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is looking for volunteers to step up in Sarasota and Manatee counties to spread the word about his gubernatorial campaign. Putnam sent out an email this week declaring himself the “grassroots candidate” in the race to replace Gov. Rick Scott – not an unreasonable claim given his penchant for small-town campaign […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

Public education will only improve when people buy in, Step Up for Students President Doug Tuthill said Thursday at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity. “I’m going to start with the good news: public education today is in the best shape that it’s ever been in,” Tuthill said, citing the […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

Former HUD secretary and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez said the business community needs to play a much more active role if Florida is to confront and overcome challenges faced in the modern economy. Martinez, now J.P. Morgan’s chairman of the Southeast U.S. and Latin America, spoke on the state of homelessness, employment, and wages during […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

One of the most pervasive topics of discussion at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity was the role affordable housing, or the lack of it, plays in holding back poor Floridians, especially children. A report presented by Anne Ray of the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies provided […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

It doesn’t take a national, or even a state-level initiative to combat intergenerational poverty, local communities can make inroads on their own according to businesswoman Forough Hosseini. Hosseini, who along with her husband runs ICI Homes, spoke about her efforts to make a difference with impoverished youth in Volusia County during the Florida Chamber of […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

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Republican Rep. Dane Eagle is launching his final re-election campaign for the Florida House with a fundraiser in Cape Coral later this month. The event is being hosted by real estate broker and former Republican Rep. Gary Aubuchon and his wife Andrea as well as Jacque and Jeff Miloff. The fundraiser will be held May […]

Drew WilsonMay 3, 2018

Education, particularly early education, is a key avenue in the fight against intergenerational poverty, says Children’s Movement of Florida founder Dave Lawrence. Lawrence gave the elevator speech version of his organization’s mission during the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity. “We are, believe it or not, the most unequal of all […]

Drew Wilson

Florida Poly graduates inaugural class

Neil Combee launching CD 15 campaign May 12

She’s back: Amanda Murphy to square off against Ed Hooper for north Pinellas state Senate seat

Adam Putnam campaign seeking Venice volunteers

Doug Tuthill: Education improves with a sense of ownership

Mel Martinez: Corporate responsibility is the way forward

Report details plight of Florida’s homeless youth

Forough Hosseini: Local efforts can lead the way in lifting Floridians out of poverty

Dane Eagle kicking off HD 77 re-election bid May 16

Chamber Summit: Early education is key for a prosperous Florida