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

Scott PowersJanuary 18, 2017

While giving his blessing to state Rep. Jason Brodeur to run for his current post, state Sen. David Simmons says he’s weighing his options to go after the Florida attorney general’s post, Florida’s 7th Congressional District seat, which Democrats just flipped, or staying full-time with his growing law firm. The attorney general option could come sooner […]

Scott PowersJanuary 18, 2017

Whether or not congressional Republicans have a plan to replace Obamacare they are beginning to respond to voters concerns about lost coverage, and U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster has told his that “we do not intend to pull the rug out.” In his newsletter to constituents of Florida’s 11th Congressional District, which includes much of Lake […]

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2017

It was like meeting with Santa Claus in January as Central Florida political officials, lobbyists, activists and a few ordinary citizens lined up in downtown Orlando Tuesday afternoon to tell Orange County’s state lawmakers what they want in the upcoming Florida Legislative Session. Eighteen million dollars for Osceola County’s high tech advanced research manufacturing center. Fifty-five million […]

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2017

Longtime Puerto Rican prisoner Oscar López Rivera — known as a political prisoner to his supporters and as a convicted member of a murderous terrorist organization to his foes — is being freed under a clemency granted by President Barack Obama, according to one key lawmaker U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, an Illinois Democrat who has campaigned […]

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2017

Let the 2018 campaign begin for Florida’s 9th Congressional District. Republican Wayne Liebnitzky, who lost to U.S. Rep. Darren Soto in November and now has filed to take him on again in 2018, slapped Soto for his announcement that he is boycotting the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump. “I find it an absolute disgrace and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 15, 2017

Like much of the rest of Florida, former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham said he’s waiting to hear what his daughter former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham will decide about running for governor. The younger Graham has been talking about it for months, and even told FloridaPolitics.com that she wants to run for governor of Florida in […]

Scott PowersJanuary 14, 2017

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Newly-elected Florida Democratic Party Chair Stephen Bittel isn’t the kind of guy who shies away from a fight. And judging by his resounding victory Saturday, after a nasty campaign against four other candidates for the Party leadership, he doesn’t fight to lose. “Contentious elections are reflective that there are Democrats all over Florida that are passionate, committed to […]

Scott PowersJanuary 14, 2017

Despite challenges from leading, longtime Democrat activists from Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville and Kissimmee, wealthy South Florida developer and party fundraiser Stephen Bittel was elected chairman Saturday of the Florida Democratic Party. Bittel won on the first ballot, winning 55 percent of the weighted votes against Alan Clendenin, Dwight Bullard, Lisa King and Leah Carius, quickly ending […]

Scott PowersJanuary 14, 2017

Longtime Florida Democratic leader Alan Clendenin is back in the running for the party’s state chairmanship after winning an overwhelming vote to reject a committee’s ruling from Friday night that had disqualified him. Clendenin’s candidacy for the state chair was restored after he made a “you know me” speech Saturday morning to the Florida Democratic […]

Scott PowersJanuary 13, 2017

Someone might be forgiven for thinking that maybe Bob Graham and Chris Hand might not want to tell people how to fight city hall and win. Graham, of course, is Florida’s former U.S. Senator and former governor. Hand is a former aide of his who also served chief of staff – at city hall, in […]

Scott Powers
Hurricane Milton satellite imagery as of 5 a.m. Oct. 7, via NOAA via AP.

David Simmons weighing Florida attorney general, congressional runs

Daniel Webster: Congress will not pull rug out on health care coverage

High tech money, septic tanks, HIV funding, duck hunting: no shortage of needs as Orange County lawmakers listen

Luis Gutiérrez: Puerto Rican prisoner Oscar López Rivera to be freed

Wayne Liebnitzky slams Darren Soto for boycotting inauguration

Bob Graham: Daughter Gwen Graham hasn’t told him her plans yet

Stephen Bittel promises rapid growth as new Florida Democratic Party chief

Florida Democrats tab wealthy developer Stephen Bittel to lead party

Alan Clendenin wins appeal to seek Democrats’ state chair

Bob Graham, Chris Hand pushing new edition of ‘America The Owner’s Manual’