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

Bill RuftyApril 17, 2018

Former State Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican, announced Tuesday that he will seek Florida’s 15th Congressional District seat left open by U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross. Ross, a Republican from Lakeland, announced last week he will not seek re-election to the post he has held since January 2011. Combee, 58, made his announcement at […]

Bill RuftyApril 11, 2018

Congressman Dennis Ross will not seek re-election in 2018. The Lakeland Republican will not seek another term in Florida’s 15th Congressional District, which covers parts of Central Florida, ending a 16-year career in elective offices. “But I got up Sunday morning and I’m reading my emails and the news and seeing what I need to do […]

Bill RuftyMarch 9, 2018

Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman reported raising $2.9 million by the end of February in his run for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. The Winter Haven Republican still has $2.7 million in the bank. In money collected, Troutman is ahead of his Republican primary opponents, and his campaign manager feels he is ahead in qualifications, dubbing both in […]

Bill RuftyFebruary 16, 2018

Mention of a wildlife officer in Florida, and many think of someone who checks your fishing license. But the protection and dangers of the job are far beyond that, former game warden Bob H. Lee told a packed auditorium Thursday at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Lee is the author of “Bad Guys, Bullets and Boat Chases — True […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 23, 2018

Former Florida Rep. Baxter Troutman, a Winter Haven Republican, was endorsed by former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Monday in his run for Agriculture Commissioner. Troutman, the grandson of the late Ben Hill Griffin, noted citrus baron and a former Democratic candidate for governor, announced Friday he was officially opening his campaign for the post. […]

Bill RuftyOctober 2, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, the first congressman of Puerto Rican heritage from Florida, landed in San Juan early Monday. “I am heading to the Emergency Operations Center to get a helicopter tour of the Island and to meet with local elected officials,” the Orlando Democrat said. Many news reports have cited villages and rural areas completely […]

Bill RuftySeptember 8, 2017

As Floridians flee from Hurricane Irma or hunker down and await her arrival U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican, joined the crew of “Kermit,” a Lockheed WP-3D Orion turboprop hurricane hunter aircraft to meet her Friday. Reached at his home just an hour after what he called an amazing four trips through the eye […]

Bill RuftySeptember 7, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam returned to his home of Polk County on Thursday, checking on preparations for food, shelter and transportation from the county’s Emergency Operations Center. He also issued warnings to state residents to take action immediately: “Irma is a beast. There is no scenario in which Southeast Florida will escape it. And a slight […]

Bill RuftySeptember 6, 2017

Hurricane Irma may be days away from Florida, but national, state and local agencies are at work now to deal with the second weather threat to the nation in two weeks. The crews and hurricane hunter aircraft of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration moved to their new home at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport by […]

Bill RuftyAugust 20, 2017

The drum beat a slow, mournful cadence as a procession of soldiers in 1842 uniforms led by two mounted cavalrymen proceeded down St. Augustine’s Marine Street to the National Cemetery where Maj. Francis Dade and all but two men of his command are buried. The event is an annual re-enactment of the burial of the […]

Bill Rufty
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Neil Combee makes it official; announces run for Dennis Ross’ seat

Dennis Ross to retire in 2018

Baxter Troutman campaign snarks opponents in Agriculture Commissioner race

Florida game warden recounts exciting tales of bad guys, boat chases

Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll endorses Baxter Troutman for Agriculture Commissioner

Darren Soto lands in Puerto Rico

Dennis Ross visits Irma … at 10,000 feet

Adam Putnam checks on Polk storm prep

As Florida prepares for Irma, NOAA aircraft working nonstop

History comes alive at St. Augustine Seminole Wars convocation