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

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

The race for the special election to fill Florida House District 44 got off to a big start Tuesday, the day five candidates qualified for the ballot, as Republican John Newstreet‘s campaign held a fundraiser aides say pulled in almost $20,000 and attracted a bevy of influential elected supporters. Newstreet, executive director of the Kissimmee/Osceola […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

David-Simmons-Jason-Brodeur-Bob-Cortes-Scott-Plakon.jpg

Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Scott PowersJune 20, 2017

Orange County’s landscaping companies with certified trained technicians will still be able to apply nitrogen fertilizers during the rainy season – now – but with some stricter rules and tougher penalties. The Orange County Commission updated its fertilizer laws Tuesday evening after a long public hearing that pitted environmental activists who wanted a full rainy […]

Scott PowersJune 20, 2017

With the noon closing bell on ballot qualifying, House District 44 is left with four Republicans and one Democrat qualifying for a special election that could determine far more than who represents western Orange County in the Florida Legislature. The Republican primary election will be Aug. 15. The general election will be Oct. 10. This […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and affordable housing developer Chris King pitches this scenario to Democratic crowds hungry for a rare statewide victory, and a blue governor’s office for the first time in 20 years: “If you can imagine the gubernatorial debate of 2018, late October, we have a Republican, and we have a Democrat. And the time […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Days after filing as a candidate, Democrat Nuren Haider said Monday evening she is pulling out of a run for the Florida House District 44 seat up for a special election this summer in Orange County. The qualifying deadline is Tuesday at noon, and Haider said Monday that she has decided to not qualify. She is vice […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Orlando businessman Bruno Portigliatti qualified for the ballot Monday for the upcoming special election in Florida’s House District 44, giving the Republicans four qualified candidates for the Aug. 15 primary. Portigliatti, of Orlando, is chief executive officer of Excellence Senior Living, a developer of luxury assisted living facilities for seniors, and executive vice president of Florida […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

A Puerto Rican activist in Central Florida is calling on President Donald Trump to give as much attention to Puerto Rico as he is giving to Cuba. Peter Vivaldi, a Republican who has unsuccessfully run for Congress and the Florida Senate and who is a frequent organizer of bipartisan efforts in Central Florida to address […]

Scott PowersJune 19, 2017

Democrat Pam Keith has made official her bid to run in Florida’s 18th Congressional District, launching her bid against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast. Keith, a labor lawyer and former U.S. Navy judge advocate general who ran last year for the Democrat’s U.S. Senate nomination, is seeking to make Mast vulnerable on his vote […]

Scott PowersJune 16, 2017

As Florida Democrats gather for their Leadership Blue conference, gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham has grabbed the endorsement of the former Democratic Senate minority leader who for many appeared to be the heart of the party during her failed 2014 run for governor. Nan Rich, now a Broward County commissioner, has extended her endorsement to Graham, […]

Scott Powers
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Republican HD 44 candidate John Newstreet fundraiser claims $20K

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069

Orange County keeps landscapers out of nitrogen fertilizer ban

Four Republicans, one Democrat qualify to run in HD 44 special election

Chris King brings home his ‘progressive entrepreneur’ campaign message

Democrat Nuren Haider withdrawing from HD 44 special election

Fourth Republican, Bruno Portigliatti, qualifies for HD 44 special election

Peter Vivaldi calls on Donald Trump to give Puerto Rico as much attention as Cuba

Democrat Pam Keith launches her bid against Brian Mast in CD 18

Gwen Graham picks up Nan Rich’s endorsement