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

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

John Newstreet has received another major business association endorsement in the special election race for the open seat in Florida’s House District 44, with nods from two political committees representing the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. Both the CFHLA political action committee and the CFHL political committee gave unanimous endorsements to Newstreet, president and […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

A Brevard County commissioner is taking on Puerto Rico, in a confrontation that is rumbling through Central Florida’s Puerto Rican population and bound to lead to a showdown Tuesday night at the county commission meeting. John Tobia, a Republican former member of the Florida House of Representatives who now represents southeast Brevard on the county […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

Saying he promised to do something after Pulse and the gay community is still waiting, a congregation of Orlando faith leaders Monday called on Gov. Rick Scott to sign an executive order banning anti-gay discrimination in state government. The Rev. Terri Steed Pierce, senior pastor at the Joy Metropolitan Community Church, which serves Orlando’s LGBTQ […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

Democratic state Sen. Randolph Bracy has thrown his support behind Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in the 2018 governor’s race. Bracy’s Oakland-based district covers much of west Orange County. “Orlando and Central Floridians can trust that Mayor Gillum will fight fiercely for the issues that matter most to us, from rebuilding our economy, fighting for healthcare […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

Democratic state Rep. David Richardson is formally announcing his candidacy Monday to run for Congress in Florida’s 27th Congressional district, a seat Democrats are clamoring for now that longtime incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros–Lehtinen is retiring. “Our country is headed in the wrong direction, and we need bold leaders to help turn things around. That’s […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

After 36 years in law enforcement including stints as Orlando police chief, Orange County public safety director, and his current post as sheriff, Jerry Demings announced Friday he’s ready to take on the entire county as mayor, pledging public safety, smart growth, and “community bonding” as his platform. Demings, 58, joined his wife Democratic U.S. […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham spent her recent “workday” event Friday at a community health care center in Jacksonville; she came away even more aware of the health care issues at stake in public policy. “Community health centers are a vital safety net for working families across our state. In addition to providing care, they […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

Faced with a potentially-serious Republican nomination challenger, David Smith dropped another $25,000 loan into his campaign for what will be an open seat in Florida House District 28. Smith’s June 30 loan was augmented by $2,963 in fundraising in June, giving him $100,855 in total contributions and loans. He had primed his campaign when he […]

Scott PowersJuly 6, 2017

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings has made official the worst-kept secret of the year in Central Florida politics: that he’s running for mayor of Orange County. Yet Demings, a Democrat, hasn’t officially announced anything yet. He has, however, filed his paperwork, late Thursday, with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office, officially declaring his candidacy. […]

Scott PowersJuly 6, 2017

Someone doesn’t trust President Donald Trump with voter roll information. Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel said Thursday he’s been fielding calls from nervous voters wanting to get their names and data off of voter rolls because they worry that information might be sent to Trump’s Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Ertel has been […]

Scott Powers

John Newstreet gets Central Florida hotel group backing in HD 44 race

Brevard resolution opposing statehood outrages Central Florida Puerto Ricans

Orlando faith leaders call on Rick Scott to sign anti-discrimination order

Endorsements: Randolph Bracy for Andrew Gillum, Clovis Watson for Gwen Graham

David Richardson formally getting into CD 27 race

Jerry Demings launches mayoral campaign pledging public safety, smart growth, ‘community bonding’

Gwen Graham comes away frustrated with health care policies after ‘workday’ at center

David Smith pours another $25,000 personal money into his HD 28 race, topping Central Florida races

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings files to run for Orange County Mayor

Seminole elections supervisor says people are calling to get off voter rolls