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

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

Nearly three out of four Florida voters are in favor of Amendment 1 according to the first opinion poll since the Consumers for Smart Solar initiative made the ballot in late January. Hill Research Consultants polled 607 likely Florida voters and found 73 percent support for the amendment. “We are proud to have more than […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 27, 2016

Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley has moved his re-election campaign into the newly redrawn Senate District 5 and is, so far, the only candidate in the race. Bradley represents District 7, which is made up of Alachua, Clay and Bradford counties, but new maps approved by Florida Courts at the end of 2015 shifted the first term senator […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2016

The U.S. Travel Association named Republican U.S. Senate candidate and current U.S. Rep. David Jolly as a Distinguished Travel Champion award winner, the group said Friday. “Rep. Jolly has clearly demonstrated his commitment to advancing well-thought, sensible measures that keep our industry strong,” Association President and CEO Roger Dow said. “We are privileged to honor him […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 25, 2016

Collier County Commissioner Georgia Hiller is ending her campaign for House District 106 and will instead seek the Collier County Clerk of Courts post, the candidate announced Tuesday. Hiller’s exit leaves two Republicans in the race for the GOP leaning seat currently held by term-limited Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, who is running for Senate. Robert Rommel is now […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 24, 2016

The Senate Wednesday passed a bill aiming to improve the Florida Early Steps program, a priority of Republican Senate President Andy Gardiner. SB 7058 brings eligibility guidelines for the Early Steps program in line with federal requirements and defines the program’s goals, which include providing timely screenings of infants and toddlers for developmental disabilities. The bill also requires […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 24, 2016

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia has drawn a Democratic challenger for his District 35 seat in the Florida House. Ramon Gutierrez of Spring Lake filed Tuesday to run for the Hernando County seat, and is so far the only other candidate in the race. Gutierrez, who was born in Havana, Cuba, works in real estate […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 24, 2016

A bill that would require insurers to take a more proactive stance on paying out life insurance benefits cleared the Senate Wednesday with a unanimous vote. SB 966, sponsored by Fort Myers Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, would require insurers to compare their policy rolls with the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File and payout benefits. Current law allows […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 23, 2016

Former Department of Children and Families Secretary Lucy Hadi died Monday in Tallahassee, the department said Tuesday. She was head of DCF from 2004 to 2006. Hadi, 70, had a long career at DCF and its precursor institution, the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. She started at HRS in 1971 after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 17, 2016

A fourth Democrat has filed to run for the seat held by Miami Democratic Rep. Daphne Campbell, who said last month she will challenge Sen. Gwen Margolis for the newly redrawn SD 38. Francesca Menes, who filed for the seat Monday, joins former Campbell campaign staffer Fayola Delica, former North Miami City Councilor Marie Steril, and Michael Hepburn, […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 16, 2016

A trio of Democrats have filed to run against incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Miller in his Orlando-based District 47 seat, but party officials have their eyes on a fourth candidate. Enter Patrick Chapin, the son of beloved former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin and the current CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his […]

Drew Wilson

Turn out the lights, election is over: Nearly 75% of Florida voters support Smart Solar Amendment, poll shows

Rob Bradley running in newly drawn SD 5

U.S. Travel Association names David Jolly “Distinguished Travel Champion”

Georgia Hiller dropping HD 106 bid

Developmental disabilities screening program passes Senate

Blaise Ingoglia draws Democratic challenger in HD 35

Senate passes Lizbeth Benacquisto bill to reform life insurance payouts

Former DCF head Lucy Hadi dies in Tallahassee

Immigrant-rights activist files to run for Miami-based HD 108

Might Patrick Chapin run for House District 47?