Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 28, 2018

Gulf Breeze Republican Alex Andrade and Lake City Republican Marc Vann won their respective primary contests and are now primed to join the Florida House. For Andrade, who defeated late-entry Greg Merk 60 percent to 40 percent, his ticket to Tallahassee has already been secured because there are no Democratic Party or third-party candidates waiting […]

Danny McAuliffeAugust 28, 2018

Andrew Gillum made history Tuesday night, becoming the first black candidate to win the Democratic nomination for Governor in Florida. He will face Republican Ron DeSantis in November. Gillum, the Tallahassee Mayor, had been considered a longshot in the five-way primary. He secured more than 30 percent of the vote. Gwen Graham finished at 31.4 percent. […]

Drew WilsonAugust 28, 2018

After months of scrapping and the field narrowing from four candidates to two, former Circuit Court Judge Ashley Moody and Pensacola state Rep. Frank White faced off Tuesday in the Republican primary for Attorney General. With the ballots counted, Moody defied recent polls and emerged from the bruising primary with a 13-point victory over White […]

Joe HendersonAugust 28, 2018

Lakeland lawyer Kristen Carlson cruised to a solid victory over top rival Andrew Learned to secure the Democratic nomination for CD 15 in Tuesday’s primary. Carlson took 53 percent of the vote, and Learned took 32 percent. Ray Pena was the third Democrat in the race, and he had 15 percent of the vote. CD 15 covers parts of eastern […]

Drew WilsonAugust 28, 2018

Former state Rep. Mike Hill defied the polls and a significant fundraising deficit to emerge victorious in the Republican primary for Escambia County’s House District 1 Tuesday. Hill received 48 percent of the vote in the three-way primary, defeating rising GOP star Rebekah Bydlak by 3 points, while and Lisa Doss took the balance of the vote. […]

Danny McAuliffeAugust 28, 2018

Nikki Fried won the primary election for Agriculture Commissioner Tuesday night, defeating Democratic opponents Roy David Walker and Jeff Porter. Fried, a Broward-based lawyer and medical marijuana lobbyist, entered the race relatively late in June but became a quick favorite who easily outraised Walker and Porter and stood out among their lackluster campaigns. “I’m honored that Florida Democrats […]

Staff ReportsAugust 28, 2018

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz won the GOP primary election for Florida’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday. As of 8:45 p.m., Gaetz had a little over 61 percent of the vote, with Republican challengers Cris Dosev and John Mills at 33.5 percent and 5 percent, respectively. “I am proud that Northwest Florida voters continue to place their […]

Staff ReportsAugust 28, 2018

An initiative to pass a half-cent sales tax for Washington County public schools passed at the ballot box Tuesday. The measure, aimed at funding facility and technology improvements in the school district, received nearly 58 percent of the vote, with all precincts reporting. The rural county, about 100 miles west of Tallahassee, has a population […]

Jim RosicaAugust 28, 2018

Sean Shaw captured the Democratic nomination for state Attorney General in historic fashion. First, he sued and won in having his only same-party opponent knocked off the primary ballot, the first time that had happened. Then, after an appellate court suspended the effect of that ruling pending review, Shaw overcame Ryan Torrens on Primary Election Day. By […]

Staff ReportsAugust 28, 2018

Incumbent Circuit Judge Thomas H. “Tommy” Minkoff of Pinellas County has beaten back a challenge from Mike Trentalange, a medical malpractice lawyer. The circuit includes Pinellas and Pasco counties. By 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, Minkoff led 71 percent-29 percent in Pinellas County with 97 percent of the vote in, and 65 percent-35 percent in Pasco, with 99 percent […]

Headlines

Alex Andrade, Chuck Brannan win GOP primaries for North Florida House seats

Andrew Gillum becomes Florida’s first African-American Democratic nominee for governor

Ashley Moody wins Republican primary for Attorney General

Kristen Carlson tops Andrew Learned in Dem CD 15 race

Mike Hill wins House comeback bid by a narrow margin

Nikki Fried secures Democratic nomination for Agriculture Commissioner

‘Absolute warrior’ Matt Gaetz wins primary in Panhandle’s CD 1

Half-cent sales tax measure passes in Washington County

The race that almost wasn’t: How Sean Shaw won Democratic Attorney General bid

Tommy Minkoff holds seat in Pinellas-Pasco judicial race