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

Drew WilsonFebruary 14, 2018

Democrat Alex Perkins filed paperwork Monday to run for House District 41, the Polk County-based seat currently held by Winter Haven Republican Rep. Sam Killebrew. Perkins, who lives in Davenport, joins Winter Haven Democrat Carmelo Garcia in the primary race for the seat. The pair are on a level playing field as far as fundraising […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A bill that would change the rules for franchise agreements was temporarily postponed by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. SB 1076, sponsored by Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube, would give franchise owners more rights when it comes to selling their business or leaving it to an heir, and would also give Florida owners home field […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

State Rep. Matt Caldwell touted another fundraising win in the race to take over for termed out Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the fall. The Lehigh Acres Republican brought in a combined $106,100 last month – $50,100 for his campaign and another $56,000 for his political committee, Friends of Matt Caldwell. The numbers outshined his […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A National Retail Federation survey estimates consumers will spend $19.6 billion pampering their loved ones with Valentine’s Day gifts this year, putting it just a hair behind the all-time record of $19.7 billion set in 2016. The 2018 forecast estimates 55 percent of Americans will shell out some cash on gifts this year, with the […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2018

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A newly formed political committee sent out an email Monday poking at Democrat Javier Fernandez – or “Javi Lobby” – for working as a lobbyist. The People for a Progressive Florida message, titled “I am a lobbyist” is written as if the House District 114 candidate was behind the keyboard. “The subject line says it […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2018

Pensacola Republican Rep. Frank White is nearing $2 million cash on hand after bringing in $109,557 between his campaign and committee accounts last month. White added $62,500 of that cash through his political committee, United Conservatives, with another $47,000 coming in through his campaign account. The committee money included a $50,000 contribution from Sansing Holdings, […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2018

A political committee controlled by Gov. Rick Scott posted $10,000 in contributions and $95,000 in spending, marking the fourth month in a row expenditures outweighed income. Let’s Get to Work took in a pair of $5,000 contributions, one from Illinois-based Covenant Aviation Security and another from Kansas City-based HNTB Holdings PAC. A good chunk of […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2018

Vacation rental business Airbnb collected and remitted $45.7 million in tax revenue for Florida and local governments across the Sunshine State last year, more than double what it collected in 2016. “In 2015, Airbnb collaborated with the Florida Department of Revenue on a historic agreement allowing the company to collect and remit the state sales […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 10, 2018

Democrat Margaret Good took a firm fundraising lead in the House District 72 race just days ahead of Tuesday’s special election for the Sarasota-based seat. Good raised $257,058 for her campaign account during the reporting period running from Jan. 5 through Feb. 8, more than doubling her fundraising during the first three months of her […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 10, 2018

Senate President-designate Bill Galvano and Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson raised big money for their political committees ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session according to newly filed campaign finance reports. Galvano continued to raise substantial funds for the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. After a record-setting Q3 effort, the Galvano-controlled FRSCC raised $844,950 in December, putting Galvano’s […]

Drew Wilson
Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski leads a group to buy the Rays, aiming for a new Tampa stadium.

Second Democrat challenges Sam Killebrew in HD 41

Franchise bill halted in second committee

Matt Caldwell tops Ag Commissioner field in January fundraising

Retailers expect to get plenty of love on Valentine’s Day

Email Insights: Javi ‘Lobby’ Fernandez

Frank White raised $110K in January for Attorney General campaign

Rick Scott continues committee spending spree

Airbnb collected $45M in Florida tax revenue in 2017

Margaret Good surges past James Buchanan in HD 72 money race

Bill Galvano, Wilton Simpson raised big money in January