Scott Powers, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMay 17, 2018

Republican state Rep. Bobby Olszewski has picked up the endorsement of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce, the powerful Orlando tourism organization that also is in his district. Olszewski, who came to office in a special election last October, represents Florida House District 44 covering southwest Orange County, including most of the Orlando […]

Scott PowersMay 17, 2018

Orlando U.S. Rep. Darren Soto has picked up the endorsement of fellow Democratic congressman and civil rights legend John Lewis of Georgia in Soto’s re-election bid. The endorsement gives Soto another notch in the progressive-Democrat belt he’s seeking to fashion for his August 28 primary bout with his predecessor in Florida’s 9th Congressional District, former […]

Scott PowersMay 17, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Winter Park entrepreneur Chris King weighed in on an Orange County local issue, saying the push for a children’s trust fund fits in for his call for sweeping criminal justice reform in Florida. A coalition of children’s advocates is pushing this year to get a children’s services independent taxing authority, like […]

Scott PowersMay 17, 2018

Republican David Smith announced that Winter Springs Commissioners Kevin Cannon and Ken Greenberg are endorsing his campaign for Florida House District 28. “It is my privilege to endorse David Smith for the Florida House of Representatives,” Cannon stated in a news release Wednesday by Smith’s campaign. “David’s military service, leadership experience, listening skills and temperament will enable […]

Scott PowersMay 17, 2018

The University of Central Florida has been awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for the university’s RESTORES Trauma Management Therapy Program working with veterans, service members, and first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Winter Park’s U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy announced the award Wednesday evening via Twitter. She and Orlando’s U.S. Rep. Darren […]

Scott PowersMay 16, 2018

In a second ground-breaking criminal justice reform initiative of her short tenure, 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Aramis Ayala will begin pushing for non-monetary releases rather than bail in many cases involving people charged with non-violent crimes. Ayala contends that the state’s law on bail is not being followed. The result, she said, is too many […]

Scott PowersMay 16, 2018

The campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is releasing results of an internal poll Wednesday that shows him tied with Gwen Graham and within striking distance of frontrunner Philip Levine – and leading among Democrats after the pollsters provided pitches for each candidate and asked again. The poll finds what all others have been […]

Scott PowersMay 16, 2018

Vacation rental marketing giant Airbnb and the NAACP are kicking off a new partnership in Miami Gardens to promote home-sharing in African-American communities. The company and civil rights organization intend to roll out their new program Saturday, promising to offer grassroots community outreach and education, and a new business model designed to provide 20 percent […]

Scott PowersMay 15, 2018

Count Bill Nelson among those Democrats willing to buck party lines to vote for Gina Haspel as the next director of the CIA. Nelson, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and former member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he met with Haspel Tuesday afternoon to discuss her nomination. Afterward, he committed to […]

Scott PowersMay 15, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King laid claim Tuesday to the the Democrats’ most far-ranging criminal justice reform platform by vowing to seek to end the death penalty, legalize marijuana, restore felons’ voter rights, and close Florida’s private prisons. The six-point plan, which also called for reducing incarceration rates and investing in schools to close what King […]

Scott Powers
Image via AP.

Bobby Olszewski picks up I-Drive Chamber endorsement

Darren Soto picks up endorsement from U.S. Rep. John Lewis

Chris King backs Orange County children’s initiative

David Smith picks up more city endorsements in HD 28 race

UCF post-traumatic stress clinic notches $10M grant

Aramis Ayala will seek non-monetary bail in non-violent, low-risk crime cases

Andrew Gillum releases poll showing him picking up ‘informed Democrats” votes

Airbnb, NAACP launch partnership in Miami Gardens

Bill Nelson says he’ll vote for Gina Haspel

Chris King: Ban death penalty, legalize pot, restore rights, close private prisons