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

Drew WilsonJuly 9, 2015

Let’s Get to Work, the political committee headed up by Gov. Rick Scott, saw contributions slip in June, taking in only $30,500 after a string of six-figure hauls since the start of the 2015 session. Among the contributions was a $25,000 check from August Anheuser Busch III, the former Anheuser-Busch CEO and great grandson of […]

Drew WilsonJuly 9, 2015

A Naples-area restaurateur filed paperwork Tuesday to replace term-limited Republican Rep. Kathleen Passidomo in House District 106. In his announcement, Bob Rommel touted his business acumen and vowed to run on a platform of “fiscally responsible, pro-growth economic policies.” “I’m a strong believer that government should work for its citizens rather than stand in their […]

Drew WilsonJuly 7, 2015

Democratic Rep. Shevrin Jones’ district secretary left his position to run for House District 92 on July 1, setting up a primary battle for the seat held by term-limited Democratic Rep. Gwendolyn Clarke-Reed. Sajan Kurian has worn many hats in Broward County politics. Outside of his district secretary role and career in healthcare, he has […]

Drew WilsonJuly 7, 2015

Orlando Republican Dean Asher raised more than $164,000 in June, easily outclassing his competition in the race to replace term-limited Senate President Andy Gardiner in District 13. Most of the money came through Asher’s newly formed political action committee, Allegiant Friends for Florida. The committee’s inaugural month only brought in two checks, but they came […]

Drew WilsonJune 25, 2015

In a new email to supporters, Democratic House District 49 hopeful Carlos Smith believes President Barack Obama‘s LGBT Pride Month celebration was a symbol of progress. Not everyone there agreed. In fact, at least one attendee at the White House event found it hard not to get carried away. Not long into the ceremony, an […]

Drew WilsonJune 23, 2015

South Pasadena Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters has drawn an opponent for her District 69 re-election bid in Libertarian Robert Saviola, according to Florida Division of Elections records. The Treasure Island candidate is an Air Force veteran, conservative talk radio host and hypnotist who teaches “covert hypnotism” and “neurolinguistic programming techniques.” He also appeared in the […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2015

As of June, none of the 12 Florida Senators running for reelection is facing much of a challenge — Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens is the only incumbent to draw an opponent so far, but it won’t derail him from another term. District 29 looks set as well, with Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman having a clear path to take over for outgoing Sen. Jeremy […]

Drew WilsonJune 18, 2015

The crash landing that ended the 2015 Regular Legislative Session in the Republican-led Florida House would be a gift to Democrats in any other state, but few seats are in any real danger of flipping come Election Day 2016. With 25 term-limited seats, District 114 is one of the few with a real chance to flip though Democrats […]

Drew WilsonJune 11, 2015

The race to take over termed-out Republican Sen. Garrett Richter’s District 23 seat was already setting up to be a hard-fought battle between Republican Reps. Matt Hudson and Kathleen Passidomo, when the May entry of Naples businessman Gary Price brought on what will likely be an even more contentious three-way primary. Campaign finance numbers for May show Hudson is […]

Drew WilsonJune 10, 2015

Campaign finance numbers released Wednesday show Ocala Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley raised $42,665 for his District 5 Senate campaign in May, bringing his contribution total to $143,825. Expenditures for the month totaled $4,906, leaving the Baxley campaign with $123,000 cash on hand. The representative had a banner month in February, bringing in $79,500, but campaign rules […]

Drew Wilson

Rick Scott committee reports 250K in-kind contribution in June from Disney

Bob Rommel becomes second Republican to file in HD 106

Shevrin Jones’ secretary not “fired” for filing in HD 92 race — per se

Dean Asher adds $164K haul in June for Senate District 13 race

Email insights: Carlos Smith resists getting ‘carried away’ at Obama LGBT event

Radio host, hypnotist to challenge Kathleen Peters in HD 69

Keep your eyes on these 8 state Senate campaigns

Florida House races continue to take shape in central, south Florida

Gary Price posts $64K in May, though Matt Hudson still in commanding lead

Dennis Baxley Senate campaign gets $42,000 in May; Jimmie Smith lags