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

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2015

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder says he will give up his local office to become a full-time candidate for the Florida House District 4 seat. Ponder originally planned to step down in June, which would have put the election for his successor on the August ballot. However, he will leave his job Jan. 15 instead. The […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala and South Pasadena Rep. Kathleen Peters held a press conference Monday to announce a pair of bills that would make mental health and substance abuse services more available to Floridians. Latvala and Peters’ legislation aims integrate the state’s mental health services to create a culture of access through any door, and would also […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Pompano Beach Democratic Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed filed a bill Friday that would change some of the rules on concealed weapons permits in Florida. HB 935 would require concealed weapons permit holders to tell first responders they have a concealed weapon and present their license and identification. Current law doesn’t require permit holders to tell police they are carrying […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Rep. Holly Raschein drew a Democratic opponent in her re-election campaign for House District 120, though the Key Largo Republican shouldn’t have too much trouble vaulting the competition to secure her third term. Retired schoolteacher Artie Leichner filed for the seat in mid-November, and brought in a single $100 check during his first two weeks […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Reps. Matt Hudson and Kathleen Passidomo brought in five-figure hauls for their SD23 campaigns last month, while businessman Gary Price fizzled after months of strong fundraising. Hudson’s numbers are his best since February, and bring his to-date contribution total to more than $341,000. The term-limited representative has also kept expenses to a minimum, spending […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Bay County Commissioner George Gainer passed Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz in fundraising in October, and the gap between the two Senate District 1 candidates got a bit wider last month, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. Gainer posted $42,285 in November contributions and spent $57,313, leaving him with $557,747 on-hand heading into December. […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

A pair of Lee County lawmakers announced Thursday that they will file bills requiring school employees to take a course on youth suicide prevention. The Senate version, SB 884, will be sponsored by Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto and would add a two-hour suicide prevention course to continuing education requirements for elementary, middle and high school […]

Drew WilsonDecember 9, 2015

Florida added 20,500 private-sector jobs last month, according to data released Wednesday by payroll company ADP. The Regional Employment Report total is a significant improvement over last year, when the state added 13,900 jobs in November, and is also an improvement over October 2015 numbers, which saw 15,400 jobs added in the Sunshine State. ADP […]

Drew WilsonDecember 9, 2015

Democrat Susannah Randolph added to her list of endorsements Tuesday after Minnesota U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison announced his support for the candidate for Florida’s 9th Congressional District. “Susannah is a true Progressive Democrat with a lifelong commitment to grassroots organizing and helping Democrats win,” Ellison said in a news release. “I am proud to support […]

Drew WilsonDecember 8, 2015

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch announced endorsements from three of his South Florida congressional colleagues Tuesday as he seeks re-election in a newly redrawn district. Current Congressional District 22 Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, along with Reps. Alcee Hastings and Debbie Wasserman Schultz endorsed the Boca Raton congressman, who announced he would run in District 22 […]

Drew Wilson

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder to give up seat for HD 4 run

Jack Latvala, Kathleen Peters file mental health reform legislation

Broward Democrat files gun safety bill

Holly Raschein draws Democrat in HD 120, but not much challenge

Matt Hudson, Kathleen Passidomo raise big for SD 23 in November, opponent fizzles

Matt Gaetz falls behind as George Gainer widens fundraising gap in SD 1 race

Senate bill seeks to require youth suicide-prevention course for teachers

Florida adds 20.5K private-sector jobs in November

Progressive leader U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison endorses Susannah Randolph in CD 9

Ted Deutch gets nod from 3 South Florida Democratic colleagues