Bill Rufty, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftyMarch 9, 2016

Now in its second year of operation the state’s newest university, Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, will receive money in this year’s state budget for its second major academic building and funding for a new program. In the budget, and approved earlier by the Board of Governors, are $5 million for the preliminary preparation and construction […]

Bill RuftyMarch 8, 2016

A fourth two-year term in Congress is what U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican, is wishing for. On Thursday, Ross, 56, made his official announcement for the post in the three counties of his 15th Congressional District after redistricting orders from the Florida Supreme Court, warning of terrorism and the national debt. “Our work is […]

Bill RuftyMarch 7, 2016

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican, is announcing Monday that he is seeking re-election to Florida’s 15th Congressional District. Ross’ district boundaries were redrawn during the recent Supreme Court orders that changed borders of several Florida congressional districts and state Senate districts. He plans three stops Monday in his slightly reshaped district for the […]

Bill RuftyMarch 6, 2016

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Victor E. Sims spent much of his childhood in foster care, going from house to house. Now, as an adult with a college degree upcoming, he is running for the Florida Legislature challenging an incumbent state representative. Sims, a Winter Haven Democrat, officially opened his campaign Thursday for House District 39 held by Rep. Neil […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 28, 2016

Twenty-three years ago a young House member introduced a bill to replace the statue of Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol with one of Gen. James A. Van Fleet. It passed the House, but the Senate sponsor got cold feet after receiving phone calls from several Confederate memorial groups. That […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 27, 2016

Want the boss’ job? For Susannah Randolph, you run for it. Randolph, 41, an Orlando Democrat, has been the district director for U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson … both times. Now that Grayson, an Orlando Democrat, is running for the U.S. Senate, Randolph is running for his seat from Florida’s 9th Congressional District. Democrats actually have […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 24, 2016

In 1949, an educator applied to the University of Florida Law School and was turned down. The applicant, Virgil Hawkins, was black. The law school and the court system in Florida were white and racist. The application began a nine-year fight going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled for Hawkins. That […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 23, 2016

Anyone who had dreams of running for an open seat in the newly redrawn Senate District 26 should dream on for another four years. Sitting in that seat is Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican who confirmed during a text message endorsement of Marco Rubio for president Monday that she is indeed running for re-election […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 21, 2016

State Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, endorsed U. S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida’s Republican junior senator, for president on Saturday. A recent statewide Florida Southern College opinion poll showed Rubio running second to Donald Trump heading toward Florida’s March Presidential Primary. In the South Carolina Republican Primary, Rubio made a strong showing. Wood, […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 15, 2016

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Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith, a Lake Alfred Republican, has pulled out of the Republican Primary for Florida House District 41, and has entered the nonpartisan race for Polk County School Board against incumbent Dick Mullenax. Smith said his decision to switch to run for a local office is based “solidly on the health of […]

Bill Rufty

Once-controversial Florida Poly University gets expansion funds

Dennis Ross makes official announcement; running for fourth term

Dennis Ross to announce CD 15 re-election bid

College student files to challenge Neil Combee in HD 39

Polk County’s 4-star hero could replace Confederate general in U.S. Capitol

Susannah Randolph takes on congressional run with deep knowledge

Event to celebrate barrier broken and barrier breaker

Denise Grimsley says she’s running again, backs Marco Rubio

Winter Haven state Rep. John Wood endorses Marco Rubio

Ed Smith leaves Florida House race for school board