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

Guest AuthorNovember 19, 2018

Given all the controversy surrounding Florida’s elections and vote recounts, it’s easy to miss the real Election Day surprise — the gains made by black women vying for state legislative seats. These down-ballot victories often get overlooked when compared to top-of-ticket races or controversial ballot initiatives that draw voter interest. Winning seats in the Florida […]

Guest AuthorNovember 19, 2018

On Thanksgiving, millions of American tables will be filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and other goodies. If past is indeed prologue, we won’t be bashful. In any given year, the United States spends nearly $2.4 billion on food for Thanksgiving. Each year, 51 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving, which comes to 736 million pounds. […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2018

When Hurricane Michael ripped through our state last month as the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States, it left a trail of destruction and devastation in its path. Unlike Hurricane Irma last year, this storm hit predominantly rural areas, leaving already resource-strained communities in a state of even greater […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2018

When it’s all said and done, America will spend roughly $3 billion on Thanksgiving dinners this year — 50 percent of it on turkeys alone. That’s a whole lot of white meat and cranberry sauce — not to mention food comas. The $3 billion doesn’t even account for the billions more spent on Thanksgiving-themed advertising or the many […]

Guest AuthorNovember 11, 2018

Count every vote. Why is that such a troubling goal for Gov. Rick Scott, Sen. Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump? As the margins narrowed in the U.S. Senate, Florida Governor, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture races, Republicans responded to a close election by trying to erode confidence in our democratic institutions and prevent Florida […]

Guest AuthorNovember 9, 2018

Contrary to Florida’s infamous reputation for election snafus, the voters in the Sunshine State have in many ways led the nation on issues of electoral reform. Floridians have voted many times to improve the rules, level the playing field, and remove barriers to participation. In the 1900s, voters approved ballot measures to enact term limits […]

Guest AuthorNovember 2, 2018

Sports coaches are fond of saying, “championships are won in the offseason.” It pays homage to the hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for the season ahead. It also means that for winning teams, there really is no offseason. The same is true for Florida’s mayors, council members, commissioners and local elected officials. […]

Guest AuthorNovember 2, 2018

As Tuesday, Nov. 6 quickly approaches, Floridians will set out to place their votes and partake in one of the most pivotal recurring events in United States history. This year, in particular, the number of ballots for state and local proposed constitutional amendments may seem daunting for Floridians as the list has exponentially grown since […]

Guest AuthorNovember 1, 2018

The Florida Association of Property Appraisers (FAPA) recommends Floridians vote YES on Amendment 2. The amendment asks voters whether to make permanent a 10 percent limit on the annual increase in assessed value of a non-homestead property. A “yes” vote will avert a sudden and largely unexpected tax crisis for more than 5 million residential […]

Guest AuthorNovember 1, 2018

America’s veterans understand the meaning of those hallowed words like no other group of citizens in this country. Now more than ever, it is every Floridian’s responsibility to ensure that our state’s returning veterans and their family members know that we have their back, and we thank them for their personal sacrifices and their selfless […]

Guest Author

Yolanda Cash Jackson: The real Election Day surprise

Dr. Robin Ganzert: On Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate humanely raised food

Sarah Catalanotto, Laura Hampson: After hurricane, air medical services was rural lifesaver

Dan Backer: Americans spend more on Thanksgiving than Election 2018

Ted Deutch: Every vote should count.

Jason Altmire: Floridians must lead on open primaries

For local officials, there is no offseason

Rick Asnani: A voter’s guide to the 2018 Florida Amendments

FAPA: Yes on Amendment 2 will avert tax crisis

Mike Prendergast: Duty, honor and country