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

Scott PowersMay 22, 2017

Tens of thousands of Haitian refugees living in Florida received another six months to stay, news that some political leaders — primarily Democrats — are hailing as a victory. Others say it’s not enough. On Monday, U.S. Department of Homeland Security John F. Kelly announced his decision to extend — for an additional six months — the […]

Scott PowersMay 22, 2017

Republican businessman Bruno Portigliatti announced his candidacy for what will be a special election this summer for House District 44 in the Orlando area. Portigliatti, 29, 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 Christian University, a global […]

Scott PowersMay 22, 2017

Democrat Andrew Gillum has picked up the endorsement of former HUD Director Julian Castro in his quest for the Florida governor’s office in 2018. Castro, from San Antonio, was U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama. He also will participate in a fundraising event in Miami early next month for […]

Scott PowersMay 19, 2017

Democratic state Sen. Linda Stewart is urging Gov. Rick Scott to veto the late-passed education bill, charging its new funding formula would cut public school budgets in a non-recession year for the first time in memory. “This bill has a consequential, negative impact to our state’s school system, and not only hurt our state’s children, […]

Scott PowersMay 19, 2017

Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis Friday condemned the security forces of Turkish President Recep Erdogan for attacking protesters in Washington D.C. and also condemned Erdogan. DeSantis, of Ponte Vedre Beach, chairs the House Subcommittee on National Security. His First Coast district includes Volusia County. In a news release issued Friday morning, DeSantis did not address […]

Scott PowersMay 19, 2017

The special election race for Florida’s House District 44 became clearer Friday morning when former Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd said he has decided to not run and will back Republican John Newstreet instead. “Solid guy, absolutely the best qualified individual for this position,” Boyd declared of Newstreet in a message to Orlando-Politics.com. Newstreet, the […]

Scott PowersMay 19, 2017

Republican House District 44 candidate Bobby Olszewski is rolling out his endorsement backers for two major fundraisers late this month as he gears up for what will be a big special election primary battle in Orange County. One fundraiser, set for the Shutts and Bowen law firm in Orlando on May 30, features the trio […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Susie Plakon, wife of state Rep. Scott Plakon, was honored Thursday for inspiring HB 883 for the creation of a memory disorder clinic at Florida Hospital – a victory for a woman who is herself battling Alzheimer’s Disease. The Florida-based hospital unveiled a plaque Thursday declaring, “Florida Hospital proudly honors Susie Plakon for her courage […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast are leading a bipartisan effort of Florida members of Congress to try to convince President Donald Trump to not zero out funding for a EPA program monitoring water quality related to the Everglades and other sensitive areas. The South Florida Geographic Initiative, begun […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Saying that the current limbo of law is bad for doctors and patients, Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado pleaded with Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Legislature leaders to call a special session to deal with medical marijuana. “We are here because 71 percent of Florida voters approved the constitutional right to […]

Scott Powers
Image via AP.

Haitian refugees get six-month extension, split reactions from advocates

Fourth Republican, Bruno Portigliatti, enters HD 44 race

Andrew Gillum picks up Julian Castro’s endorsement in Governor’s race

Linda Stewart urges Rick Scott to veto education bill

Ron DeSantis condemns Turkish violence in D.C., Turkish president

Scott Boyd declines HD 44 race, backs John Newstreet

Bobby Olszewski fundraisers set for Orlando, Miami in HD 44 race

Susie Plakon honored for role in passing HB 883 for memory disorder clinic

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Brian Mast spearhead letter to save Everglades program

Carlos Guillermo Smith, Amy Mercado say special session needed to end cannabis legal limbo