Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 7, 2017

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Florida is one of just 13 states with a closed-primary election system, meaning only voters registered as a Republican or Democrat can participate in a primary election. While that may have worked out just fine for the major political parties, many say it doesn’t work for the public, demonstrated by those increasingly opting to bypass […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2017

As Sen. Al Franken prepares for an all-but-certain resignation Thursday, former allies in the Senate are calling for him to step down. “Sexual harassment is never acceptable. I agree with a majority of the Democratic senators that Sen. Franken should step aside,” said Sen. Bill Nelson Wednesday evening. Nelson joins Minority Leader Charles Schumer and over half of the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 6, 2017

Janet Cruz came out Wednesday in support of fellow Hillsborough County Democrat Alma Gonzalez in Saturday’s election for Florida Democratic Party chair. “Alma’s experience and background will make her a strong voice for Florida’s working families, women, minorities and young people who feel threatened and uncertain by what they see coming out of Tallahassee and […]

Mitch PerryDecember 6, 2017

If found guilty of murder, the accused Seminole Heights killer should receive the death penalty, so say Republican attorney general candidates Ashley Moody and Ross Spano. In a letter Wednesday to Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, Spano, who also serves as the chair of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in the Florida Legislature, says the facts in […]

Ana CeballosDecember 6, 2017

Bruce Jacobs, a long-time Democratic activist, claims the Miami-Dade local party is violating its bylaws by trying to “pre-determine the outcome” of the upcoming Florida Democratic Party chair election in favor of Terrie Rizzo. “He is basing that on nothing, it is preposterous,” Juan Cuba, the chair of the county party, said. Jacobs filed a […]

Mitch PerryDecember 6, 2017

Even though she was never officially eligible, Monica Russo has been running for the past few weeks to become the next party chair of the Florida Democratic Party — until Wednesday. In a statement, Russo, the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Florida and executive vice president at 1199 SEIU in Miami, said she […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2017

While the pundit class may gnash its teeth over President Donald Trump announcing a move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Gov. Rick Scott stands with his “partner in the White House.” In a video released Wednesday, Scott made comments at the Western Wall. “This is a great day,” Scott said. “President Trump is going […]

Mitch PerryDecember 6, 2017

Organizers behind this past January’s enormously successful women’s marches across Florida say they’re coming back for more in 2018. Women’s March Florida is calling for a “Day of Action” on January 21, 2018, the anniversary of what has been called the largest political protest in recent U.S. history. Protests will take place in Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, […]

Mitch PerryDecember 5, 2017

The race for the next Florida Democratic Party chair is not quite a done deal. In a statement Tuesday, Terrie Rizzo said she has 70 percent of the 182 votes needed to win the nomination. However, Hillsborough County’s Alma Gonzalez is touting new endorsements from the state’s Democratic black, Hispanic and Caribbean caucuses. And Brevard County’s […]

Scott PowersDecember 5, 2017

Former prosecutor Jennifer Spath has filed to run for the special election in House District 39, seeking to replace form state Rep. Neil Combee, who resigned last month to take a federal job. Spath, a Republican from Bartow, is a fourth generation Floridian who said she’ll be running on conservative principles, including support for gun rights, […]

Headlines
Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

Florida Democratic chair candidates weigh in on ‘open primaries’

Bill Nelson: ‘Al Franken should step aside’

Janet Cruz backs Alma Gonzalez in race for Florida Democratic chair

GOP AG candidates want death penalty for Seminole Heights killer case

Miami-Dade Democrats in ‘legal jeopardy’ over Stephen Bittel election votes

Monica Russo bows out of run for Florida Democratic Party chair

Rick Scott, Marco Rubio back Donald Trump’s embassy move to Jerusalem

Women’s March Florida plans statewide events in January

Alma Gonzalez gets key support for Florida Democratic chair, but not from all progressives

Republican Jennifer Spath enters HD 39 special election race