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

Bill RuftyAugust 12, 2018

The Baxter Troutman campaign moved into a higher gear Saturday in the Republican primary for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture with two ads in the Orlando media market, campaign manager Carlo Fossi said. The television ads on began running on Fox News and local network channels showing the Winter Haven businessman and former state Representative talking […]

Bill RuftyAugust 8, 2018

A poll released by the state Senate campaign of retired Circuit Judge Robert Doyel, a Winter Haven Democrat, shows him edging Republican incumbent Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland in the November general election for the Republican-leaning District 22. The poll shows a preference of 45 percent for Doyel to 40 percent for Stargel with 15 […]

Bill RuftyAugust 3, 2018

Friday should have been a victory lap of sorts for Democratic Congressman Darren Soto — he was still receiving rave reviews from many in the party for his debate with primary challenger former Congressman Alan Grayson, and he had many local accomplishments to tout in his first term in Congress. But he arrived at the […]

Bill RuftyAugust 3, 2018

Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Baxter Troutman and his wife Becky are taking to the airwaves (and Internet) to criticize one reporter’s characterization of attendees at the Donald Trump rally Tuesday in Tampa as “hillbillies.” The former state Representative from Winter Haven posted a Facebook video decrying the situation and suggesting more civility from the news […]

Bill RuftyAugust 2, 2018

As primary day nears, the race for Florida Agriculture Commissioner heats up on the airwaves, as two of four Republicans running are out with new campaign ads this week. Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven is launching a new ad in the district of state Rep. Matt Caldwell, who is also seeking the […]

Bill RuftyJuly 29, 2018

An open seat in Florida’s 15th Congressional District, held by a Republican since 1984, could be in play for Democrats and Kristen Carlson is the front-runner in the Democrats’ primary, according to the latest assessment by the authoritative Cook Political Report. The report, which analyses congressional elections, has lowered its assessment of the race in […]

Bill RuftyJuly 26, 2018

Lakeland Democrat Kristen Carlson has begun major ad campaigns this week in her quest for Florida’s 15th Congressional District seat that covers portions of Hillsborough, Polk and Lake counties. Television ads featuring school children and Carlson began running on Facebook and in the regional areas of MSNBC and CNN. A former general counsel for the […]

Bill RuftyJuly 26, 2018

VoteVets, an organization of military veterans who identify themselves as progressives, has endorsed Democrat Andrew Learned of Valrico for the open seat for Florida’s 15th Congressional District. Founded in 2006, the VoteVets.org Political Action Committee defines its mission as electing veterans to public office, focusing on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and “hold public officials accountable […]

Bill RuftyJuly 13, 2018

Republican state Rep. Ross Spano of Tampa received what could be a major boost Thursday in his six-way Republican Primary for Florida’s 15th Congressional District with an endorsement by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Earlier, Spano’s campaign released a poll showing he was 12 points ahead of his closest competitor, former state Rep. Neil Combee of […]

Bill RuftyJuly 3, 2018

Who would pay $300 to hug a cow? Enough people to save the family farm, state Sen. Denise Grimsley told a luncheon of the Polk County Tiger Bay Club on Tuesday. Agritourism will be a key component of her policies to save Florida agriculture if elected Agriculture Commissioner, the Zolfo Springs Republican said. “I had a […]

Bill Rufty
Image via AP.

Baxter Troutman ramps up TV spending in Ag. Commissioner bid

Poll: Bob Doyel slightly edges incumbent Kelli Stargel in Senate District 22

After a heartbreaking Polk County deportation, introspective Darren Soto lays it out at Tiger Bay

Baxter Troutman, wife bash ‘liberal’ media coverage of Trump rally

GOP Agriculture Commissioner race heats up on the air

Cook Political Report puts CD 15 in play for Democrats

Kristen Carlson begins running TV, mail ads in CD 15

Progressive veterans group endorses Andrew Learned in CD 15

Ross Spano picks up Marco Rubio, Pam Bondi endorsements in CD 15

‘Cow cuddling’? Denise Grimsley talks agritourism at Polk Tiger Bay