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

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 25, 2016

Manatee County homebuilder Carlos Beruff has entered the crowded Republican Senate primary and plans to formally announce his candidacy during events in Miami and Sarasota on Monday. In January, FloridaPolitics.com was the first to report of Beruff’s possible candidacy. Beruff has set up a campaign account and produced a two-minute video designed to introduce himself […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 8, 2016

A wealthy Manatee County homebuilder is likely to jump into Florida’s U.S. Senate race in a move that would pit key members of Gov. Rick Scott‘s political team against Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera in the Republican primary. Carlos Beruff has gone from considering entering the race to likely to get in, said Joanna Burgos, a […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 8, 2016

When it comes to LGBT issues, Florida’s Republican lawmakers are known more for trying to keep transgender people out of bathrooms, protect pastors from marrying same-sex couples and seek exemptions for private adoption agencies who don’t want to place children with gay and lesbian couples. But this year, some Republican lawmakers are backing a bill […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 3, 2016

The Florida House passed bills Wednesday that would let people with concealed weapons permits openly carry their guns and bring them onto state college campuses, as well as allow lawmakers to carry concealed weapons on their chamber’s floor. House members debated the measures for three hours combined, with most Democrats strongly opposing both bills and […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 1, 2016

Rape victims could be allowed to give testimony against their alleged attackers through a video recording, closed-circuit television or behind a two-way mirror under a bill that received its first committee approval Monday. The protections could be allowed if a judge determines a victim could suffer emotional or mental harm by testifying against an attacker […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 31, 2016

Florida Democrats must decide whether their best shot at winning the Senate seat now held by Marco Rubio is a liberal firebrand who has said the GOP health plan was to hope people die quickly, or a moderate Democrat who often votes with Republicans. Rubio is giving up his seat to seek the Republican nomination […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 25, 2016

The Florida Republican Senate primary is largely sounding like a group that’s trampling over each other to claim the title of being the non-Washington guy. U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis says Washington hasn’t changed him, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera says Washington won’t change him, and businessman Todd Wilcox proudly proclaims that he’s the only person running […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 15, 2016

A bill that would limit the number of Florida Lottery scratch-off games and cap ticket prices at $5 was overwhelmingly approved by a House committee Wednesday after lawmakers criticized the department for using the games to prey on the state’s poorest residents. The House Government Operations Subcommittee voted 12-1 in favor of the bill. Rep. […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 12, 2016

The Legislature will begin its annual session early this year with the hopes of avoiding the chaos and dysfunction that marked the 2015 Session and three special sessions that followed. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner say the past is the past and there’s no lingering animosity after the two chambers found […]

Brendan FarringtonDecember 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Friday that Florida has added more than 1 million private sector jobs since he took office in 2011. That means another 700,000 jobs need to be created in the next two years to fulfill a 2010 campaign promise. The million jobs mark also doesn’t take into account that Florida has 27,300 […]

Brendan Farrington

Homebuilder Carlos Beruff enters Florida’s GOP Senate primary

Wealthy Bradenton homebuilder Carlos Beruff now likely to enter Florida GOP Senate race

Legislature considers anti-discrimination bill for LGBT rights

House passes open carry, campus gun carry bills

Bill would let rape victims testify by closed circuit TV

Florida Democrats have clear choice in race to replace Marco Rubio

GOP candidates seek outsider advantage in push for Marco Rubio’s seat

Lawmakers seek to limit Lottery scratch-off games

Gambling, guns, tax cuts and more facing Florida lawmakers

Rick Scott: Florida added 1 million jobs since he took office