Brendan Farrington, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Brendan FarringtonJune 6, 2016

There was a significant increase in murders, rapes and motor vehicle thefts in Florida last year, according to crime statistics released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Friday. There were 1,040 murders in Florida last year, up from 984 the year before. That includes 767 murders involving guns, an increase of 11.2 percent. […]

Brendan FarringtonMay 21, 2016

There’s nothing like a common enemy to help Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters come together in harmony, as was the case Saturday as the Florida Democratic Party rallied against Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee who at one point was compared to an alligator running loose in a fast food restaurant. Democrats backing each […]

Brendan FarringtonMay 15, 2016

There are four Republican Senate candidates trying hard to convince voters they are Washington outsiders. Then there’s U.S. Rep. David Jolly. In an election year when it is in vogue for Republicans to declare they aren’t part of the political establishment, Jolly is embracing his Washington resume, which includes work as a lobbyist and as […]

Brendan FarringtonMay 12, 2016

Vice President Joe Biden might be taking sides in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary, but unlike Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, he’s not getting nasty about it. Biden campaigned with U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy at a downtown Orlando soul food restaurant Thursday, the day after Reid quarreled with Murphy’s opponent, Congressman Alan Grayson. Reid has asked […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 15, 2016

A state representative from Jacksonville has been indicted on charges he used more than $65,000 in campaign contributions on personal expenses like liquor, jewelry, flowers and groceries, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville announced Friday. The indictment says Democratic Rep. Reggie Fullwood of Jacksonville funneled about $65,000 from his campaign account through a business account […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 1, 2016

A federal judge in Tallahassee agrees with the Florida Department of Agriculture that an all-natural creamery can’t label its skim milk “skim milk” because it doesn’t add vitamins to it. So unless an appeals court disagrees, Calhoun County’s Ocheesee Creamery will continue to dump perfectly good skim milk down the drain rather than comply with […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 13, 2016

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Florida’s winner-take-all Republican presidential primary was supposed to help former Gov. Jeb Bush or Sen. Marco Rubio. That was the thinking when the GOP-dominated Legislature changed the state’s primary date to the third Tuesday in March, the earliest date it could hold an election that will award all 99 Republican delegates to one candidate. But […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 12, 2016

Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith‘s time representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol is coming to an end while clergy will be able to say no to gay weddings under new laws approved by Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday. Scott signed a bill that requires Smith’s statue in the National Statuary Hall be replaced. Another among […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 11, 2016

The Legislature was getting ready to wrap up its 60-day legislative session Friday absent the drama that marked last year’s lawmaking process. The most important thing left for lawmakers on the final day was passing the $82.3 billion budget, a vote that couldn’t take place before 2:53 p.m. because of a requirement that lawmakers wait […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 29, 2016

Police would have to charge people with a crime before they can seize their money, cars, homes or other property under bills that are now ready for votes on the House and Senate floors. Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill was approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, the last of three stops before it […]

Brendan Farrington
Gabrielle Russon

Florida crime rate drops despite increase in rapes, murder

All calm as Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton supporters gather in Florida

David Jolly not playing outsider Trump card in U.S. Senate race

Joe Biden plays nice while picking sides in Florida Senate race

Reggie Fullwood indicted on federal fraud charges

Tallahassee judge says all-natural skim milk isn’t skim milk

Florida’s winner-take-all primary could kill Marco Rubio’s chances

Florida has new laws on Confederate statue, gay marriage

Almost there: Sine die is nigh

Florida could require arrest before police seize property