Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-06-08-at-12.48.23-PM.png

A Jacksonville man’s sentence on drug possession charges was struck down by an appellate court Friday because of the state’s “911 Good Samaritan Act.” A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal reversed Thomas John Pope‘s 15-month sentence on possession of heroin and marijuana charges. Pope, 26, already was released from minimum custody this […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2018

On Friday, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine — a Democratic candidate for Governor — rolled out his proposal to legalize the sale of adult-use cannabis. “If elected Governor,” Levine tweeted, “I will carefully move to legalize the sale of limited quantities recreational marijuana for adults.” “Careful means controlled,” Levine said, with “highly regulated” sales and distribution […]

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2018

State Rep. Sean Shaw added another major endorsement Thursday in his campaign to replace termed-out Attorney General Pam Bondi in the fall. The Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teacher union, said the Democratic lawmaker had “proven himself a friend of public education” during the two sessions he’s represented his Tampa-based district in the Florida […]

Scott PowersJune 7, 2018

Patrick Murphy is out, and he’s supporting Gwen Graham. The Democratic former congressman made it official Thursday afternoon when he announced he was dropping his ambition to run for governor and support his former congressional colleague instead. Murphy joined Graham at a press conference in Pembroke Pines Thursday afternoon to essentially declare that she already […]

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2018

The first poll since Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene entered the Democratic primary for Governor may indicate trouble for Gwen Graham’s chances among South Florida Democrats. The survey, conducted by respected pollster Tom Eldon, polled Broward County and Palm Beach County Democrats and found Greene pulling 6 percent support in his home county, and 3 […]

Scott PowersJune 7, 2018

Kenneth Griffin, billionaire leader of a Chicago-based hedge fund and a big-time contributor to Republican political committees, has been appointed national finance chair for the New Republican PAC fueling Gov. Rick Scott‘s election campaign for the U.S. Senate. Griffin, 48, has contributed more than $20 million to various Republican-backing political committees and Republican candidates just […]

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King announced Wednesday that he raised $78,661 last month and kicked in another $400,000 of his own money to bring his total fundraising past the $5 million mark. Nearly $410,000 of the May money went to his official campaign account, while his committee, Rise and Lead Florida, took in the balance. […]

Drew WilsonJune 6, 2018

Republican Attorney General candidate Frank White announced Wednesday that he’s put $1 million behind his first television ad of the election cycle. “As I have traveled the state, I’ve heard over and over from hardworking conservatives that they are fed up with politicians who don’t listen to them,” White said. “I am excited to share […]

Drew WilsonJune 6, 2018

Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell rolled out another cache of endorsements for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign Wednesday. The bulk endorsement included nine county and municipal officials, including four Seminole County constitutional officers in what the campaign called a “sweep” of the Central Florida county. That’s a fair assessment considering the list included Sheriff Dennis […]

Drew WilsonJune 6, 2018

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis said Monday that his campaign and affiliated political committee “took in more than $3 million” last month, but that may have been a little misleading. When he made the announcement, partial month records for his committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, showed it had brought in about $1.27 million as of May […]

Headlines

Drug case overturned because of ‘good Samaritan’ law

Philip Levine rolls out cannabis legalization proposal

Teachers union backing Sean Shaw for Attorney General

Patrick Murphy: ‘I’m proud to support Gwen’

Jeff Greene pulling votes from Gwen Graham in South Florida, pollster says

Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin named finance chair for Rick Scott’s super PAC

Chris King invests another $400K in gubernatorial bid after raising $78K in May

Frank White hits airwaves with $1M media buy

Matt Caldwell announces Seminole County ‘sweep’

Ron DeSantis’ May report included more than $1M in old money