Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 1, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King is proposing a tax on bullets to help fund new anti-gun violence and safety programs in Florida schools. The plan, rolled out Friday at a town hall meeting in St. Petersburg, calls for dedicating existing sales tax revenue on firearms and ammunition sales to a special fund, and then adding […]

Scott PowersJune 1, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is turning his focus to schools and teachers in his new television commercial being launched statewide Friday. The 30-second spot, “Class is In” includes Levine’s platform pledges of increasing teachers’ salaries by $10,000, increasing funding for schools, and stopping state tests. His campaign is putting $1 million behind airing the […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2018

The Florida Young Democrats have named gubernatorial candidate Chris King as their pick for “trailblazing candidate of the year” and honored state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Florida House candidate Emma Collum with other awards. The awards were announced Thursday as the results of a survey of members of the organization, but do not represent […]

Drew WilsonMay 31, 2018

Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell added another 10 names to his extensive list of backers Thursday. The bulk endorsement — his tenth since entering the Cabinet race — includes Republican pols from across the Sunshine State, many of them from Brevard County. St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes, Tequesta Rep. MaryLynn Magar and Sarasota County […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2018

The federal government has granted a seven-month extension for All Aboard Florida to sell the $1.15 billion in private equity bonds it intends to use to finance the proposed higher-speed rail expansion that could roll private Brightline passenger trains between South Florida and Orlando. The extension comes in the nick of time, as the company’s […]

Michael MolineMay 31, 2018

Family and friends of some of Florida’s 97,000 prison inmates offered public testimony Thursday denouncing proposed visitation rules that could make it harder to see their loved ones regularly. “Limiting visitation is not in the best interest of the citizens of Florida and the communities in which they live,” Michael McBride, the father of an […]

Staff ReportsMay 31, 2018

Supporters of the proposed constitutional ban on greyhound racing have launched a digital campaign to inform voters about the amendment, the Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 group announced Wednesday. “The campaign will communicate to voters via a dedicated website, Facebook page, Twitter feed and Instagram account,” a news release said. The campaign’s website is ProtectDogs.org, the Twitter […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2018

Democratic Senate Majority PAC and Priorities USA Action are teaming up on a $600,000 statewide digital advertising campaign being launched in Florida Thursday, beginning with an ad focusing on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson‘s efforts to protect Medicare and Social Security. The initial 15-second ad “Privatize” is in addition to the campaign that the Senate […]

Drew WilsonMay 30, 2018

Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsley bid to be Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture has earned the backing of incoming Senate President Bill Galvano and Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson. “Senator Grimsley is uniquely qualified to be the state’s next Agriculture Commissioner, not only because of her extensive background in citrus growing and cattle ranching, but because […]

Scott PowersMay 30, 2018

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The Democratic National Committee just weighed in on the Florida partisan fight for Puerto Rican voters, providing the state party with a $100,000 grant and arguments on why they should register as Democrats. DNC Chair Tom Perez and Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo joined U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Val Demings and others in […]

Headlines
Martin Luther King with civil rights leader leading march. Image via AP.

Chris King proposes bullet tax for school violence prevention program

Philip Levine out with schools and teachers commercial

Young Democrats laud Chris King, Carlos Smith, Emma Collum

Matt Caldwell touts ‘tenth wave’ of Ag Commissioner endorsements

Feds approve seven-month extension for Brightline train bonds

Relatives of inmates riled over proposed tightening of prison visitation

Greyhound racing-ban supporters launch digital campaign

Democratic PACs’ digital ad touts Bill Nelson’s fight for Medicare, Social Security

Senate leaders back Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner

National Democrats aid Florida Democrats’ Puerto Rican voter outreach