Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannSeptember 3, 2015

On a number of issues, there is completely no difference between Jeb Bush and Donald Trump – including campaign tactics and abortion, so say the progressives at super-PAC American Bridge. With the new website JebTrump.com, American Bridge launched a digital media campaign featuring a quiz showing “zero inches of space” between the Republican former governor and Trump, […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 3, 2015

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera is challenging the leading Democratic U.S. Senate candidate to justify his support of the controversial Iran nuclear deal. In a statement Thursday, Lopez-Cantera asks U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy to join him for a series of unspecified monthly town hall meetings with Florida voters. The debates, he said, would be so the Jupiter Democrat could […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 3, 2015

David Jolly is the latest lawmaker to sign a pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. Independent Women’s Voice, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization, announced Thursday that the Indian Shores Republican has officially put his name to the Obamacare Repeal Pledge. Jolly, who is now running for the U.S. Senate, represents Florida’s […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 3, 2015

Over the approaching Labor Day weekend, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will target vulnerable congressional Republicans using labor issues such as the minimum wage and overtime. As reported by Roll Call, the 18 GOP incumbents include first-term U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Florida’s 26th Congressional District. The campaign will comprise of sponsored tweets, targeted to […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 1, 2015

Plantation-based author and child advocate Lauren Book has made it official: She’s begun her long-awaited candidacy for Florida Senate with a list of high-profile endorsements. Book, 30 and a former teacher, is CEO of Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit foundation to educate children, parents, and teachers about preventing childhood sexual abuse. She is running as a […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 1, 2015

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is endorsing fellow Pinellas County U.S. Rep. David Jolly in his bid for the U.S. Senate. “As a Tampa Bay native, David is keenly aware of the issues facing Floridians at both the local and national levels,” Bilirakis said in a prepared statement. “His command of the legislative process and institutional knowledge will no doubt serve […]

Phil AmmannAugust 31, 2015

Digital ads may be the hot new thing in political campaigns, but traditional television still reigns as the king of advertising, as it had for more than a half-century. Media advisory firm Borrell Associates estimates that candidates and outside groups will spend nearly $1.1 billion in 2016 on digital advertising, a seven-fold jump from $162 […]

Phil AmmannAugust 31, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Kama Monroe has become senior attorney on the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee. On: Jessi McDonald is now district secretary for Pensacola Republican Rep. Clay Ingram. On: Santino Andrews is now legislative assistant […]

Phil AmmannAugust 30, 2015

Tropical Storm Erika may have been full of sound and fury, at least for a while. In the end, though, it signified nothing. After causing floods and mudslides throughout the Caribbean, Erika rapidly lost much of its steam on the way to Florida, but not before leaving Southwest Florida with little more than the threat […]

Phil AmmannAugust 30, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Reasonable standards needed for rideshare companies Hillsborough County and the rideshare companies Uber and Lyft have a common interest in ending a yearlong standoff on passenger service. Uber and Lyft are increasingly popular, and they aren’t going away —but they also cannot […]

Phil Ammann
Evan Power with Matt James and Bill Helmich in Atlanta. Photo by Jacob Ogles

American Bridge releases parody quiz to tie Jeb Bush to Donald Trump

Carlos Lopez-Cantera challenges Patrick Murphy to justify support of Iran deal

David Jolly is latest lawmaker to sign Obamacare repeal pledge

DCCC to target Carlos Curbelo, 18 incumbents in Labor Day digital campaign

Lauren Book makes it official, files for state Senate

Gus Bilirakis endorses David Jolly for U.S. Senate

With political advertising, digital may be growing, but television remains king

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Bill Day’s latest: A thunderstorm turns Rick Scott into Chicken Little

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers