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

Joe HendersonAugust 29, 2018

Voters in several parts of Florida approved tax hikes for local school programs and teacher raises, which could be encouraging news to backers of a proposed half-cent sales tax increase in November for Hillsborough County public schools. By a 13-point margin, Lake County voters approved a property tax increase of .75 mills to help pay […]

Joe HendersonAugust 29, 2018

If Florida voters wanted a contrast in the election for Governor, they have it. The differences between Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis in the November election couldn’t be dramatic – and it goes far beyond the fact Gillum now stands one election win away from being the first black Governor in the state’s history. He is a hard-left, […]

Joe HendersonAugust 28, 2018

Attorney Mike Beltran is the Republican nominee in HD 57 after his victory in Tuesday’s primary over challenger Sean McCoy. HD 57 is currently represented by Lithia Republican Jake Raburn, who announced he was not running for re-election to devote more time to family and business. Democrat Debbie Katt was running unopposed. The Republican side of the ballot was […]

Joe HendersonAugust 28, 2018

Lakeland lawyer Kristen Carlson cruised to a solid victory over top rival Andrew Learned to secure the Democratic nomination for CD 15 in Tuesday’s primary. Carlson took 53 percent of the vote, and Learned took 32 percent. Ray Pena was the third Democrat in the race, and he had 15 percent of the vote. CD 15 covers parts of eastern […]

Joe HendersonAugust 28, 2018

Joe Wicker cruised to a solid victory Tuesday night over long-time political face Ronda Storms to secure the Republican nomination in HD 59. Wicker had 54 percent of the vote to Storms’ 46 percent. Storms called Wicker to concede, saying she congratulated him and adding, “Obviously this is not the result I wanted, but God […]

Joe HendersonAugust 28, 2018

Republican Ross Spano overcame the charge of dirty politics and a late snub by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd to win his party’s nomination primary Tuesday night in CD 15. Spano, a two-term member of the Florida House, defeated former state Rep. Neil Combee 44 to 34 percent. He will now face Democrat Kristen Carlson in the general […]

Joe HendersonAugust 28, 2018

Whatever results from Tuesday’s Florida primary election, we can be sure of one thing — the people who decide the primary’s outcome won’t be the ones who determine the winners in November. That’s a flaw in Florida’s primary system that becomes increasingly apparent. Voters can only cast ballots for offices like the Governor if they […]

Joe HendersonAugust 27, 2018

Florida leaders and lawmakers from both parties were quite properly lauding John McCain’s, decency, public service, bravery and integrity following his death Saturday after battling brain cancer. You would expect no less. The show of respect was good and proper for someone of McCain’s stature. It would be even better if all of them actually […]

Joe HendersonAugust 26, 2018

In the final days of his campaign for the Republican nomination for Governor, Adam Putnam has come across as the person a lot of people always thought he was. It’s too bad he kept that person hidden for so long. His ads now are low-key and sincere, a departure from the strident tone he set […]

Joe HendersonAugust 24, 2018

Negative campaigning works, right? Obviously it does, but we don’t have to like it. That’s why Hillsborough GOP Chairman Jim Waurishuk sent a straightforward message to his party’s local candidates. The retired U.S. Air Force colonel wants, no, demands … oh, I’ll let him tell it. “IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST AND STOP NOW!!!” The capital letters […]

Joe Henderson

Voters around state say yes to local school tax increases

Joe Henderson: Ron DeSantis, Andrew Gillum wins are nothing less than astonishing

Mike Beltran wins tough GOP primary in HD 57

Kristen Carlson tops Andrew Learned in Dem CD 15 race

Joe Wicker cruises past Ronda Storms in GOP HD 59

Ross Spano defeats Neil Combee with surprising ease in CD 15 GOP primary

Joe Henderson: After Florida primary election, time to swing back to the middle

Joe Henderson: John McCain set example too few lawmakers follow

Joe Henderson: The “real” Adam Putnam shows up, but too late?

Hillsborough GOP chief tells candidates to ‘immediately cease and desist’ negative campaigning