Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2017

With state Sen. Jack Latvala‘s ignominious resignation Wednesday afternoon, state Sen. Denise Grimsley quickly announced she is donating money her political committees received from Latvala’s political committees to a domestic violence group. Grimsley’s move sets a challenge to dozens of other elected officials and political groups that have received money from Latvala’s primary financial tools of […]

Peter SchorschDecember 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is taking a trip to Tennessee next month, but unlike most of his out-of-state jaunts he’s not looking to lure any jobs away from the Volunteer State. An invitation to a fundraiser benefitting Diane Black, a Republican running for Tennessee governor, lists Scott as the event’s headliner. Attendees will need to fork […]

Scott PowersDecember 20, 2017

With Republican agriculture commissioner candidate and state Sen. Denise Grimsley‘s decision Wednesday to give to charity the money her political committees received from Jack Latvala, numerous others may also be pondering what to do with the millions of dollars he has donated from his committees. Latvala, who resigned Wednesday afternoon after damning reports emerged from investigations […]

Ana CeballosDecember 20, 2017

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The state’s law enforcement agency is reviewing sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala outlined in two Florida Senate investigations that concluded he may have violated state corruption laws by offering to support legislation in exchange of “a sexual encounter.” The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Wednesday it is conducting a “preliminary review” of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala used his outsized influence to grope and otherwise sexually harass women in The Process, and intimidate them and others into keeping quiet about it, according to the latest report released Wednesday into misconduct claims against the longtime lawmaker. The report was released just minutes before Latvala’s decision to resign from the Senate […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2017

In the face of two damning reports this week on his alleged serial sexual harassment, state Sen. Jack Latvala on Wednesday resigned from elected office. The 66-year-old Clearwater Republican said in a statement to Florida Politics he “never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate.” He first served in the Senate 1994-2002, […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 20, 2017

Update: Jack Latvala resigned from the Senate Wednesday afternoon. In a resignation letter to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala wrote: “I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate. “My political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of […]

Ana CeballosDecember 20, 2017

UPDATE – JACK LATVLA HAS RESIGNED. That story is here. Updates before the resignation: — A second investigation into sexual harassment claims against Jack Latvala, prompted by a POLITICO Florida story, has turned up a witness who bolsters an allegation that the senator would offer to trade sex for favorable votes on legislation. That story is developing. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2017

Update: Jack Latvala resigned from the Senate Wednesday afternoon. In a resignation letter to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala wrote: “I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate. “My political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2017

Update: Jack Latvala resigned from the Senate Wednesday afternoon. In a resignation letter to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala wrote: “I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate. “My political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of […]

Headlines

Denise Grimsley donates Jack Latvala money to anti-domestic violence group

Rick Scott to help fundraise for Tennessee gubernatorial candidate

Jack Latvala’s political committee money await decisions

Law enforcement reviewing Jack Latvala sexual misconduct case

‘Quid pro quo’ mentioned in second Jack Latvala sexual harassment report

The end: Jack Latvala resigns from Florida Senate

Marco Rubio called for Jack Latvala resignation

Jack Latvala sexual harassment probe could lead to criminal charges

Rick Scott on Jack Latvala: It’s ‘time to resign’

Attorney: Jack Latvala was blindsided by bribery allegation