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

Drew WilsonAugust 12, 2015

The July ADP Regional Employment Report estimates Florida added 13,700 jobs for the month, with most new jobs in the service-producing sector. The report pegs the Sunshine State as the second-best performer in the South, with Texas taking the top spot after adding 15,500 last month. Nationally, California had the biggest gain at 27,600 jobs. The […]

Drew WilsonAugust 11, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott’s office announced Tuesday that a Miami-based outdoor shade manufacturer will add 21 jobs and spend $1.25 million on a 100,000 square-foot facility in the area. TUUCI, shorthand for The Ultimate Umbrella Co., produces several styles of shade structures, from parasols to pool-side pavilions and lounges, and has been operating in Miami since it was founded 17 […]

Drew WilsonAugust 11, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott’s office said Tuesday that online job openings have jumped during the past year, with July’s openings marking the state’s highest since May 2005. “The demand for jobs across the state is growing and the good news is that we have many opportunities available for families to get a great job in Florida,” Scott said. “By cutting […]

Drew WilsonAugust 11, 2015

The political committees for Republican Senate presidential hopefuls Jack Latvala and Joe Negron took something of a summer vacation in July, especially so in Latvala’s case as the Pinellas state senator took time to get married. Negron’s PAC, Treasure Coast Alliance, brought in $55,000 for the month, compared with $23,858 for Latvala’s Florida Leadership Committee. The […]

Drew WilsonAugust 10, 2015

July fundraising numbers are in, though none of the big ticket Senate races for 2016 got much action, and with the Special Session on Redistricting, it should stay that way for sitting lawmakers during the back half of August. Fort Walton Beach Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz brought in $16,855 for the month and spent $7,629, leaving him with a […]

Drew WilsonAugust 6, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott’s office said Thursday that Internet and telephone service provider Frontier Communications will expand its operations in DeLand, adding 400 jobs and making about $2.5 million in capital investments. “I am excited to announce that 400 jobs will be created in Deland thanks to Frontier Communications’ newest expansion,” Scott said in a news release. ”This great […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2015

Republican congressional hopeful Mary Thomas went on the offensive Monday, calling for first-term U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham to return $5,500 in campaign funds she received from Planned Parenthood. “It’s been over two weeks since the Family Research Council (FRC) exposed Rep. Gwen Graham for accepting $5,500 in campaign contributions from Planned Parenthood,” Thomas wrote in a news release. “While videos […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2015

A third Republican has filed to run for the District 4 House seat being vacated by Fort Walton Beach Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is eyeing his father’s Senate seat in the 2016 cycle. Destin Mayor Mel Ponder said Monday he’s running for the seat, hitting small government and conservative values that play well in the Panhandle districts. “It […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2015

Hialeah Republican state Rep. Manny Diaz said Monday that his 2016 re-election campaign gathered enough signatures to get his name on the ballot next year. “We appreciate every voter who signed a petition to get us on the ballot,” Diaz said in a prepared statement. “Qualifying by petition requires a strong base of loyal local volunteers, […]

Drew WilsonJuly 13, 2015

New reports show the political committee backing a proposed amendment to boost access to solar energy posted its best fundraising numbers to date, with nearly $155,000 in contributions in June. Floridians for Solar Choice got $50,000 of the money from the SACE Action Fund, a political committee tied to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. […]

Drew Wilson
Mable Butler poses with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Image via Dyer.

Florida adds 13,700 jobs in July, new report shows

Rick Scott says shade maker to expand, add jobs in Miami headquarters

Rick Scott says online job demand on rise in Florida

Latest fundraising reports show Joe Negron has slight cash-on-hand advantage over Jack Latvala

Top Senate fundraisers have slow July

Rick Scott says Frontier Communications Corp. to expand, add jobs in Deland

Mary Thomas calls on Gwen Graham to return Planned Parenthood contributions

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder files to succeed Matt Gaetz in HD 4

Manny Diaz qualifies early for re-election in HD 103

Floridians for Solar Choice post best fundraising to date, $155K in June