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

Ryan NicolDecember 2, 2018

Former House Speaker Richard Corcoran appears to be on track to become the state’s next Education Commissioner, according to sources familiar with Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis‘ transition plans. The news was first dropped by Florida Politics’ Peter Schorsch and later confirmed by POLITICO Florida. Corcoran’s appointment, if made final, would add another voice in support of school […]

Ryan NicolNovember 30, 2018

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Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday he was suspending controversial Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes and replacing her with longtime loyalist Pete Antonacci, now president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. “Every eligible voter in Florida deserves their vote to be counted and should have confidence in Florida’s elections process,” Scott said. “After a series of […]

Ryan NicolNovember 30, 2018

In light of news the Florida Supreme Court will be without a black justice for the first time in 36 years, Democrats in the state Senate are pushing to reform the state’s judicial nominating panels. “The latest nominations submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) to the incoming governor underscore how politicized the process has […]

Ryan NicolNovember 29, 2018

Outgoing GOP U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo says he may run for Mayor of Miami-Dade County in 2020 after his ousting from Florida’s 26th Congressional District earlier this month. “I have a passion for public service and I’m not discarding any possibility right now,” Curbelo said, according to a report from the Miami Herald. “I have […]

Ryan NicolNovember 28, 2018

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Ahead of a Wednesday vote in the U.S. Senate to curtail the U.S. role in the war in Yemen, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio says he’ll continue to support an American presence in the conflict. “Unfortunately, the Yemen resolution has been tied into the broader Saudi Arabia issue,” Rubio said, alluding to the controversial killing of […]

Ryan NicolNovember 27, 2018

Florida House Deputy Democratic Leader Shevrin Jones has filed a new bill (HB 49) which seeks to provide hygiene products to women inmates, as well as protect those women from abuse while incarcerated. Jones spoke with Florida Politics about the bill, saying he was first inspired to tackle the issue after fellow state Rep. David Richardson‘s tour […]

Ryan NicolNovember 27, 2018

New state Sen. Manny Diaz may just be readying for his first Legislative Session, but he’s already nabbed a committee chairmanship after being named to head the Senate’s Education Committee. Diaz spoke to Florida Politics about his plans for the state’s education system, including a continued push for charter school support, and an expansion of […]

Ryan NicolNovember 26, 2018

A proposed state constitutional amendment to ban assault weapons is coming into shape for the 2020 ballot, after the sponsor filed new language with the Florida Division of Elections this month. The amendment, sponsored by Ban Assault Weapons Now (BAWN), would bar possession of “any semiautomatic rifle or shotgun capable of holding more than 10 […]

Ryan NicolNovember 26, 2018

Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book and GOP state Sen. Manny Diaz are among the newly-named legislative committee chairs hailing from South Florida. Book, who represents Senate District 32, was one of only two Democrats (Tallahassee’s Bill Montford is the other) named to head a committee; she will lead the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder […]

Ryan NicolNovember 26, 2018

With the 2018 midterms in the rearview, along with a contentious series of recounts, it’s worth reflecting on the historic nature of the U.S. Senate race here in Florida which turned out to be the closest ever in the state’s history. Outgoing GOP Gov. Rick Scott managed to defeat incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson […]

Ryan Nicol
Mario Cristobal. Image via AP.

Richard Corcoran in line to be next Education Commissioner

Rick Scott suspends Brenda Snipes, appoints Pete Antonacci

Senate Democrats push to overhaul judicial nominating process

Carlos Curbelo leaves open 2020 run for Miami-Dade Mayor

Marco Rubio reiterates support for U.S. action in Yemen

Shevrin Jones talks ‘human issue’ of supplying hygiene products to women inmates

Manny Diaz preaches need for school choice

Constitutional assault weapons ban filed for 2020

South Florida represents: Lauren Book, Manny Diaz named Senate committee chairs

What you should know about the closest U.S. Senate race in Florida history