Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsNovember 29, 2018

After a year and a half as Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, Mike Dew is saying goodbye. His last day will be next Monday, he said in an email sent late Wednesday. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the group of talented, professional and innovative individuals who come together every day […]

Jacob OglesNovember 28, 2018

As Florida looks again to election reform, the current leader of the state’s elections supervisors association offered one crucial request to lawmakers: Don’t rush changes. “If you fix something, you have to give us time to implement and iron the bugs out of whatever fix you make before you decide it isn’t working,” said Paul […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

Could state Rep. Byron Donalds become the new chair of the Republican Party of Florida? Donalds confirms to Florida Politics he holds some interest in the job: “It’s something that’s come up,” he says. “I’m considering my options.” Multiple sources within the state committee confirm conversations with the Naples lawmaker about the post and suggest Donalds may […]

Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018

A mid-winter conference of Florida’s elections supervisors usually serves as a social affair, maybe a discussion on changing ballot technology. But on the heels of a historic statewide recount, the upcoming event in Sarasota will likely entail more than just mingling. Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner agreed to host the Florida State Association of […]

Guest AuthorNovember 27, 2018

Floridians just made history by restoring voting rights to over 1.4 million people with prior felony convictions who completed their sentences. With the passage of Amendment 4, Florida approved the largest re-enfranchisement of voters in the United States in over five decades and dealt a significant blow against the racist holdover policies of the Jim […]

Michael MolineNovember 27, 2018

The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Florida Power & Light Co.’s purchase of the City of Vero Beach’s electric utility. The $185 million deal took roughly a decade to negotiate but promises lower rates for customers. Commissioner Julie I. Brown said the switchover was clearly in the public interest — for customers of FPL […]

Guest AuthorNovember 26, 2018

The moment she figured it out, Melinda Fryman’s face fell. It was the look anyone who has watched Wile E. Coyote sprint over a cliff just when he thought he had finally caught the Road Runner would recognize. A few seconds of silence followed that felt like an eternity in the cramped room, surrounded by the Canvassing Board, […]

Ryan NicolNovember 26, 2018

A proposed state constitutional amendment to ban assault weapons is coming into shape for the 2020 ballot, after the sponsor filed new language with the Florida Division of Elections this month. The amendment, sponsored by Ban Assault Weapons Now (BAWN), would bar possession of “any semiautomatic rifle or shotgun capable of holding more than 10 […]

Jacob OglesNovember 25, 2018

Florida State University President John Thrasher rushed to defend head football coach Willie Taggart Sunday against racist attacks. “A recent racist social media post aimed at our football coach is ignorant and despicable,” Thrasher said in a statement. “I speak for the entire FSU community in expressing our disgust and extreme disappointment, and I am glad […]

Jacob OglesNovember 25, 2018

Many of the political world’s differences erased as leaders rallied instead around the loyalties that truly matter—college football allegiances. But an on-field injury that caused the entire sporting world to pause also led to introspection on the part of pols. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer took note on Friday evening of a major knee injury for […]

Headlines

Mike Dew out as Secretary of Florida Department of Transportation

Elections leader: Reform after recounts can’t be rushed

Could Byron Donalds be the next chair of the Florida GOP?

Elections conference likely to touch on reform

Thomas Kennedy: Automatic voter registration should be a priority in Florida

Done deal: Regulators OK sale of Vero Beach utility to FPL

Matt Mitchell: Be like Melinda

Constitutional assault weapons ban filed for 2020

John Thrasher defends FSU Coach Willie Taggart after racist attacks

College Football shows true political partnerships and divisions