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

Drew WilsonMarch 2, 2016

Republican House District 53 candidate Randy Fine picked up his first endorsement in the race to replace term-limited Republican John Tobia, his campaign said Wednesday. The Space Coast Association of Realtors President Lynnette Hendricks said her group endorsed the Brevard County businessman because they “feel that you will be a strong advocate of real estate […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

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Volusia County attorney Tom Leek was able to raise more than $50,000 after just two weeks in the House District 25 race, the Republican announced Tuesday. “The response from scores of friends and family in such a condensed period of time has been positively overwhelming,” Leek said. “Our campaign secured close to 80 donations and […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is Florida’s most popular politician, according to a survey released Tuesday by Public Policy Polling. The poll found 40 percent of Florida voters approve of the third-term Senator, compared to 32 percent who disapprove. The numbers put him ahead of two of the Sunshine State’s other statewide elected officials: Gov. […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Bashing Obamacare might not be the same vote getter it was in past Florida elections, according to a poll put out Tuesday by Public Policy Polling. The poll found 42 percent of voters support and 41 percent oppose the Affordable Care Act. While not a ringing endorsement of the controversial health care law, the numbers […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Nonpartisan government watchdog Florida TaxWatch has named Robert Cruz as its new chief economist, the group announced Tuesday. Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic Calabro said the hire “will further Florida TaxWatch’s status as the premier government watchdog in the Sunshine State.” “We are excited to welcome Dr. Cruz to our team,” Calabro said. “He brings a breadth of […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Tallahassee Republican Mary Thomas has picked up an endorsement from one of the country’s largest Tea Party organizations, her campaign said Tuesday. Tea Party Express Executive Director Taylor Budowich said the organization picked Thomas in the race because voters in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District “deserve a strong, conservative voice in Washington, D.C.” “Mary Thomas has an impressive background […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2016

Democrat Rod Smith announced Tuesday morning he’s again running for state Senate in the new Senate District 8. He spoke of his plans to a crowd of about 50 people in front of the Alachua County Civil Courthouse in Gainesville. Flanked by his family, the former State Attorney and state Senator stressed the importance of […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

The Senate inched closer to the House Transportation and Economic Development budget Monday night with its third proposal, cutting the difference between the two chambers to a couple dozen line items and disagreements on funding sources. The House and Senate came to terms on the Department of Transportation budget earlier Monday, but still had a wide gulf between […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

The joint budget conference on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development came a bit closer to agreement Monday afternoon, with the third House offer closing out the largest chunk of the $12.8 billion budget segment. With the addition of $3.2 million for a trio of line items, lawmakers now agree on a $10.75 billion budget for the Department of […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

Standing in front of the Alachua County Court House Monday former state Sen. Rod Smith teased a “major announcement” for Tuesday morning, almost certainly his entry into the race for the newly redrawn Senate District 8. The Gainesville lawyer and former Florida Democratic Party chairman would be the second candidate in the contest, joining Gainesville Republican […]

Drew Wilson

Republican HD 53 hopeful Randy Fine endorsed by Space Coast Realtors

HD 25 hopeful Tom Leek posts more than $50K in two weeks

Survey names Bill Nelson Florida’s most popular politician

Bashing Obamacare no guaranteed vote-getter in Florida, poll shows

Florida TaxWatch names Robert Cruz new chief economist

Tea Party Express backs Mary Thomas in CD 2

Rod Smith makes state Senate run official with courthouse announcement in Gainesville

Senate, House TED proposals inch closer, bump other items to budget chiefs

TED budget conferees wrap up negotiations

Rod Smith teases “major announcement”; likely entering SD 8 race