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

Staff ReportsJuly 24, 2017

July could be shaping up to be another slow month for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Forward Florida, the political committee backing the Democrat’s 2018 gubernatorial bid, has raised just $10,000 so far this month. The committee received the sole contribution on July 14, according to rolling donation data posted to the committee’s website. During the […]

Staff ReportsJuly 24, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott approved a deal to pay $1.1 million in legal fees to groups that “successfully challenged an NRA-backed Florida law that prevented doctors from talking to their patients about the risks of guns in the home,” according to a Sunday news release from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. One of the law […]

Staff ReportsJuly 22, 2017

The dog days of summer are here. While July is generally considered one of the slowest months in Florida politics, that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. Two special elections in South Florida mean election season is already in full swing, and 2018 hopes are keeping pace, even with rising temperatures. And with […]

Staff ReportsJuly 21, 2017

You know what Florida politicos are reading; now it’s time to let some literary experts weigh in. Sally Bradshaw, a longtime adviser to former Gov. Jeb Bush, opened Midtown Reader in November. The 1,500-square-foot bookstore located in Tallahassee’s Midtown neighborhood is working to build a community of book lovers in the capital city, hosting a […]

Staff ReportsJuly 20, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam Thursday said he’s sending 24 more wildland firefighters from the Florida Forest Service to help fight fires out West. “After selflessly battling one of the worst wildfire seasons in Florida history, our firefighters will help protect other parts of our country from wildfire,” Putnam said. The latest deployment makes a total of […]

Staff ReportsJuly 19, 2017

Eighteen people have applied for three openings on the state’s Public Service Commission, according to a list released Tuesday. Tuesday was the deadline to apply for the seats now held by Commissioners Art Graham and Ronald Brisé, which are up at the end of the year. Both men have reapplied for their positions; they were last reappointed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2013. Applications for a […]

Staff ReportsJuly 18, 2017

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Ed Hooper has received the endorsement of Florida’s Professional Firefighters. The organization announced during its 73rd annual convention in Sarasota this week it was backing Hooper, a Clearwater Republican, in his Senate District 16 race in 2018. In a statement, Jim Tolley, the organization’s president and CEO, said it was honored to have worked with […]

Staff ReportsJuly 17, 2017

Rep. Francis Rooney is going python hunting. The Naples Republican announced Monday he plans to take part in the South Florida Water Management District’s python elimination program on Aug. 10. The program aims to eliminate the Burmese python, an invasive species, which damages the Everglades ecosystem and its native wildlife. “I am looking forward to […]

Staff ReportsJuly 17, 2017

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Peebles & Smith is now Peebles Smith & Matthews. The firm announced Monday that Ryan Matthews, who most recently served as the interim secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, has joined as a principal. Peebles and Smith is a well-regarded boutique lobbying firm whose list of clients heavily tilted toward local government clients. On […]

Staff ReportsJuly 17, 2017

Jose Mallea is bringing in some star power — Florida politics, style — in the final days of his special House District 116 primary campaign. On Monday, Mallea campaign released a Spanish-language radio advertisement featuring former Gov. Jeb Bush. The ad comes just one week before the special Republican primary in the race to replace Rep. […]

Staff Reports

Andrew Gillum committee upside down $88K through first two weeks of July

Florida will pay $1M in legal fees over ‘docs vs. Glocks’

What Florida politicos are reading this summer

Sally Bradshaw’s Midtown Reader offers up suggestions for summer reading

More Florida Forest Service firefighters to head out West

18 apply for openings at Public Service Commission

Ed Hooper endorsed by Florida Professional Firefighters

Francis Rooney to go python hunting in Big Cypress swamp

Personnel note: Peebles & Smith becomes Peebles, Smith & Matthews with hire of Ryan Matthews

Jose Mallea releases ad featuring Jeb Bush ahead of HD 116 primary