Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2017

Though the margin of just two percent is too close to call, a poll released Wednesday by the Florida Chamber of Commerce suggests a potential sea change in the Senate. The Chamber poll has Gov. Rick Scott ahead of Sen. Bill Nelson in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, 47 percent to 45 percent. Scott, at least according to […]

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2017

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. faces $1.2 billion in losses following Hurricane Irma, Board of Governors chair Christopher Gardner reported Wednesday. “Please recognize that this is an early estimate, and this number will probably change,” Gardner told board members during a telephone conference call. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, meanwhile, reported 577,918 claims against all insurers […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 27, 2017

Help is on the way to Florida’s citrus growers who have seen crops devastated by Hurricane Irma. That’s according to Sarasota Congressman Vern Buchanan, who says House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady assured him that his legislation — the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act — will be part of the next hurricane relief package Congress will […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 27, 2017

Democrat Annette Taddeo has won Tuesday’s state Senate District 40 special election, narrowly defeating Republican former state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz in the hotly contested and expensive race that was closely watched by both state and national parties. SD 40 wound up being more of a nail-biter than anyone first expected, as Republicans entered Election Day with only […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 26, 2017

In the Florida House District 116 special election, Republican Daniel Perez defeated Democrat Gabriela Mayaudón. Perez will now replace state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, who resigned the seat to run for state Senate District 40. Perez is an attorney and a first-time candidate. While Mayaudón is also a novice legislative candidate in Florida, she had […]

Scott PowersSeptember 26, 2017

Declaring it is time for Florida to “modernize” it’s voting systems, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King unveiled a policy statement Tuesday calling for universal voter registration and for voters to vote anywhere in their county. King, a Winter Park-based developer of affordable and senior housing, rolled out a seven-point voting and elections plan Tuesday to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has “reaffirmed Florida’s commitment to supporting Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria,” according to a Tuesday news release. Scott “has notified the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to be on standby for deployment following an official request for assistance from Puerto Rico, and the […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 26, 2017

Democrat Margaret Good qualified for the House District 72 special election Tuesday by submitting more than 400 petitions from local supporters. “I’m proud of the effort our team organized in a matter of days to garner the support of hundreds of voters from around the district,” said Good, a Sarasota-based attorney. “The response we’ve seen from voters […]

Associated PressSeptember 26, 2017

Royal Caribbean International’s Empress of the Seas, with 878 passengers and about 600 crew members, docked in Key West Sunday marking the first cruise ship visit since before Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys Sept. 10. Officials said resuming cruise ship port calls is significant for the region’s economy, and vital for residents whose livelihood […]

Associated PressSeptember 26, 2017

Florida Keys fishermen are getting help from the air to locate lobster traps lost during Hurricane Irma. Florida Sea Grant is sending two aircraft with GPS-capable cameras over the island chain to document the locations of lobster trap clusters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In a statement, Florida Sea Grant agent […]

Headlines

Poll: Post-Irma, Rick Scott leads Bill Nelson in Senate race

Citizens Insurance faces $1.2 billion in Irma claims; total insurance hit is $3.7 billion

Vern Buchanan says aid for citrus growers will be part of new hurricane relief bill

Annette Taddeo wins SD 40 special election

HD 116 stays Republican, as Daniel Perez defeats Gabriela Mayaudón

Chris King calls for ‘modernized’ voting systems, automatic voter registration

Rick Scott: Florida is ready to help Puerto Rico

Democrat Margaret Good qualifies by petition for HD 72 race

1st cruise ship since Irma docks in Key West

Aircraft help Florida Keys fishermen find lost lobster traps