Staff Reports, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsNovember 19, 2018

Trulieve, the leading medical marijuana distributor in the Sunshine State, announced two weeks ago that it had entered deals to acquire California-based Leef Industries and Massachusetts-based Life Essence. On Thursday, it announced those deals had gone through. While several Florida licenses have been purchased by West Coast operations, this marks the first time a Florida licensee has […]

Staff ReportsNovember 19, 2018

The Senate Democratic Caucus met Monday to select Jacksonville’s Audrey Gibson as its 2018-20 Leader. Members also nominated Tallahassee’s Bill Montford as the Leader pro tempore. Gibson told the caucus she considers “the role more as a bridge builder, for purposes so much larger.” She is now only the third woman to serve in the position, and […]

Staff ReportsNovember 19, 2018

Koch-backed group Americans for Prosperity announced a volley of direct mailers, digital ads and phone banking to spread the word on what the organization is thankful for this Thanksgiving. Four issues got the spotlight in the newly announced ad buys: Reigning in federal spending, supporting a fix for the Dreamers, criminal justice reform and opposition […]

Staff ReportsNovember 17, 2018

December 12 will mark twenty years since the passing of Florida’s former Democratic U.S. Senator and Governor Lawton Chiles. Yet, still to this day, the mark left on Sunshine State politics is very visible. Most Democrats will tell you he’s the best governor in modern Florida history. And Republicans aren’t quick to dispute. Supporters, staffers, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 17, 2018

Soon to be former Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced 10 appointments to multiple Circuit and County Courts, according to a news release: — Alexander Bokor to the 11th Circuit Court. Bokor, 40, of Miami, is a Miami-Dade County Judge. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and his law degree from the University of […]

Staff ReportsNovember 16, 2018

U.S. Senate race to Tribbles, Hail Marys The machine recount totals are in, for the most part, and there are no surprises. Gov. Rick Scott still leads Sen. Bill Nelson, by roughly the same margin as when the recount began. All counties, with the exception of Palm Beach, completed recounts for the Senate race by […]

Staff ReportsNovember 16, 2018

A cottage industry among Northeast Florida political observers this year has revolved around the same question it did in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Did Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry go too far? In 2015, he capsized a popular Mayor. In 2016, he stumped for President Donald Trump and got pension reform through (which ticked off the […]

Staff ReportsNovember 15, 2018

As Florida waits to find out the eventual results of its recounts, the Florida Petroleum Council urges renewed consideration of offshore drilling. The timing is interesting, as presumed Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis is opposed to the practice. The industry group asserted potential revenue of $2.5 billion as a result of offshore leasing in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) […]

Staff ReportsNovember 14, 2018

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has waded into partisan waters increasingly during Florida’s triple recount, as one might expect from one of Florida’s leading Republicans. However, it wasn’t until Wednesday morning that he offered comment from his official perch. “I’m not against the recount. A recount is mandated by law and should happen. The recount should happen, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 14, 2018

Federal prosecutors are examining date changes on “cure affidavits,” forms used to change information on ballots lacking such. The Department of State, reports POLITICO Florida, has “concerns” that instructions put forth in four counties said these cure affidavits could be returned by 5 p.m. Thursday. The law requires that these be handled by Monday before the […]

Staff Reports

Trulieve: Remarkable growth for Florida’s leading MMTC

Senate Democrats select Audrey Gibson as 2018-20 leader

Americans for Prosperity-Florida lets voters know what it’s thankful for this year

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Old he-coon reunion

Governor appoints 10 to circuit, county courts

Delegation for 11.16.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Jacksonville Bold for 11.16.18 — A very good year.

New push for offshore drilling as Florida awaits recount results

Marco Rubio dials down tone in official comment on Florida recount

Report: Feds looking into changed dates on election docs