Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannFebruary 20, 2018

In what may be shaping up as the political “Year of the Woman,” Josie Tomkow has won the Republican primary for House District 39, which opened up over Thanksgiving with the departure of Neil Combee. Tomkow, a 22-year-old University of Florida student, took a decisive 65 percent of the vote to become her party’s nominee for […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 20, 2018

Republican Kurt Jetta faced an uphill battle in his bid for Florida’s 21st Congressional District, looking to unseat Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach. First, as a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, the Delray Beach businessman needed to overcome a sure-to-be difficult GOP primary. Next, Jetta would have to prevail in a […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 15, 2018

A mass shooting took place Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, a former student, shot and killed an estimated 17 people. Broward Sheriff Scott Israel confirmed 17 people were killed, including both students and adults; two of the victims were killed outside the school, one in the […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2018

Democrat Margaret Good decisively won the Sarasota-area House District 72 special election Tuesday, defeating Republican James Buchanan 52 to 45 percent. Florida Democrats were quick to praise Good on flipping HD 72, which was reliably Republican for at least a decade, citing her “positive message of growing Sarasota’s economy, fully funding our public schools, and protecting our coastline.” […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2018

For the closing moments of the House District 72 special election, Republican James Buchanan ripped a page from the Donald Trump campaign playbook – holding a Trump-like rally, complete with a chorus of “lock her up.” While intended to excite supporters, the demonstration also set Democrats on fire. The hourlong rally in Sarasota County – featuring […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 7, 2018

Facing of one of the deadliest flu epidemics in the history of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, a Senate committee temporarily postponed a measure which would give Floridians greater access to antiviral medication, critical in the treatment of the flu and strep. SB 524, sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, would allow […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 6, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Austin Kernan is a new legislative analyst in the Senate Majority Office. Off: Cathy Boyett is no longer a committee administrative assistant for the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee. Off: Administrative support staffer Lindsey Locke is no longer with […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 31, 2018

February could bode well for Lennar Corp., Florida’s largest homebuilder. Lennar, the nation’s second-largest homebuilder, is close to completing its strategic buyout of Arlington, Virginia’s CalAtlantic Group, expected to happen as early as next month. This acquisition will make the Miami-based Lennar — which builds over 6,000 homes in Florida every year, with 8,000 homes built in 2016 alone — […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 30, 2018

Veteran Washington staffer Kyle Glenn is returning to U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross‘ office to serve as Chief of Staff. Ross, the Lakeland Republican who serves as Senior Deputy Majority Whip, announced the hire in a statement Tuesday. Glenn was previously Ross’ deputy Chief of Staff and will transition into the new job over the next […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 30, 2018

On Monday, Congressman Ron DeSantis made it official — launching his long-expected bid for Florida governor. Taking to a Boca Raton stage as the late Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” played, the North Florida Republican claimed he was the only “principled conservative” and an outsider in the race — a direct knock on both […]

Phil Ammann

Josie Tomkow KOs Jennifer Spath in HD 39 special primary election

Facing uphill battle, Republican Kurt Jetta ends CD 21 bid

Compilation of reactions by Florida politicians to Broward school shooting

Florida Democrats congratulate Margaret Good on HD 72 win

Email insights: James Buchanan closes HD 72 race with Donald Trump playbook

With hundreds dying from the flu, lawmakers choose inaction

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

With merger nearly complete, Lennar Corp. poised to help homebuilders face new challenges

Personnel note: Veteran staffer Kyle Glenn named Dennis Ross chief of staff

Five most bullsh*t parts of Ron DeSantis’ campaign kickoff