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

Jacob OglesDecember 1, 2018

George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has died. In addition to his leadership in the final days of the Cold War, Bush and his family held strong ties to Florida. Bush’s son Jeb Bush served as Florida’s 43rd governor, his older son George W. Bush won the White House after successfully […]

Jacob OglesNovember 30, 2018

While state Rep. Byron Donalds may have ambitions to become Republican Party of Florida state chair, he faces opposition first in a bid to chair his county executive committee. Russell Tuff, a longtime Naples conservative activist, already had plans to run for Collier County Republican Executive Committee chair, before Donalds expressed interst, and has no […]

Jacob OglesNovember 30, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried’s transition team includes a Parkland father, representatives from law enforcement and even a former Republican candidate for the job. “We have put together a team with experience on the wide ranging issues the Department oversees,” said Transition Team Chairman Patrick Murphy, a former U.S. representative. “In the coming weeks the team […]

Jacob OglesNovember 29, 2018

While Florida communities persistently face affordable housing issues, a trust fund to help solve the problem remains an easy pot to raid. But state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo hopes to safeguard those dollars in next year’s budget. One of the first bills filed by the Naples Republican for this session aims to protect the State Housing […]

Jacob OglesNovember 28, 2018

As Florida looks again to election reform, the current leader of the state’s elections supervisors association offered one crucial request to lawmakers: Don’t rush changes. “If you fix something, you have to give us time to implement and iron the bugs out of whatever fix you make before you decide it isn’t working,” said Paul […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

Could state Rep. Byron Donalds become the new chair of the Republican Party of Florida? Donalds confirms to Florida Politics he holds some interest in the job: “It’s something that’s come up,” he says. “I’m considering my options.” Multiple sources within the state committee confirm conversations with the Naples lawmaker about the post and suggest Donalds may […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

A mid-winter conference of Florida’s elections supervisors usually serves as a social affair, maybe a discussion on changing ballot technology. But on the heels of a historic statewide recount, the upcoming event in Sarasota will likely entail more than just mingling. Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner agreed to host the Florida State Association of […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

As students log into a computer website, an orange creature named Plory — who resembles somewhat a Sesame Street monster wandering into the South Park animated world — greets the children. Through a digital tutorial, Plory explains both how the mechanics of a series of online assessments will work and what students should expect from […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

It looks like 2018 will be another record year for tourism in Florida, which could be good news both for the hospitality industry and for agencies promoting the state in the nation and abroad. Gov. Rick Scott announced Florida welcomed 95.8 million visitors from January through September, nearly a 7 percent increase from the 89.8 […]

Jacob OglesNovember 26, 2018

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A Florida State University fan who this weekend posted an image of football coach Willie Taggart being lynched has now lost his job with Hilton Grand Vacations. Tom Shand, the disgruntled fan who thought a losing season seemed a good reason to suggest hanging FSU’s first black head coach, no longer works as a counselor […]

Jacob Ogles
Sen. Ashley Moody (right) fields questiosn about the space program during a town hall in Melbourne. Image via Ashley Moody.

President George H. W. Bush Dead at 94

Russell Tuff mounting local case for Collier County GOP Chair

Nikki Fried’s transition team has cannabis experts, lawmakers, former opponents

Kathleen Passidomo aims to protect state’s affordable housing trust fund

Elections leader: Reform after recounts can’t be rushed

Could Byron Donalds be the next chair of the Florida GOP?

Elections conference likely to touch on reform

Makers of i-Ready promise educator empowerment, not constant assessment

VISIT FLORIDA: State on track for record tourism by end of 2018

Willie Taggart lynching post costs FSU ‘fan’ his job