Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeOctober 30, 2018

While Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum have fundamental differences in how state government should be shaped for the next four years, each will face the important task of ensuring it continues to operate. That’s why the nonpartisan research and policy group Florida TaxWatch is again publishing its “Governor’s Transition Decision Handbook,” a cheat-sheet aimed […]

Jacob OglesOctober 29, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-10-29-at-2.36.31-PM.png

National security adviser Jake Sullivan weighed in on a Florida House race, endorsing Liv Coleman in District 73. “I know what Liv is capable of because I know where she comes from,” Sullivan said in a statement. “We grew up in the same town and went to the same high school. We both learned the […]

Staff ReportsOctober 28, 2018

On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders was the latest in a series of high-profile bipartisan endorsements for Amendment 4, also known as the “Voting Restoration Amendment,” on the 2018 ballot. “Amendment 4: In Florida 1.4 million people cannot vote because they have been convicted of a crime, even after they have paid their price to society […]

Jacob OglesOctober 28, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-10-28-at-5.29.17-PM.png

Republican state House candidate James Buchanan enjoyed a late infusion of cash in his race in District 74, pulling in $14,250 in monetary contributions in a week. His Democratic opponent Tony Mowry pulled in $6,270 over the same reporting period, which ran from Oct. 13 through 19. Robert Samuel Kaplan, a no-party affiliation candidate also […]

Ryan NicolOctober 28, 2018

Mike-Caruso-Jim-Bonfiglio-side-by-side-e1540688950638.png

Democrat legislative candidate Jim Bonfiglio heavily outraised his Republican opponent, Mike Caruso, in the latest fundraising period — largely thanks to an $80,000 loan made by Bonfiglio to his campaign. The two are competing for the House District 89 seat, which covers coastal portions of Palm Beach County. Caruso brought in more outside money than Bonfiglio […]

Jacob OglesOctober 28, 2018

Republican state Senate candidate Joe Gruters knows his success this year relies on the strength of the GOP ticket as a whole. “We’re trying to drive turnout for the entire team,” he said. As the 10-year chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota, Gruters knows the importance of lifting the entire slate more acutely than […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2018

Progressive groups now are suing to stop a state nominating panel from recommending candidates to the Florida Supreme Court, saying it “lacks the authority to make its nominations before the vacancies occur.” The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed Friday evening to halt the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Earlier Friday, […]

Jacob OglesOctober 26, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-09-23-at-1.33.38-PM.png

Democratic state Rep. Margaret Good plans to stand her ground on gun safety, and said her Republican challenger Ray Pilon, a lifetime National Rifle Association member, shouldn’t attack her on her Parkland vote. Pilon, who previously held Good’s Florida House District 72 seat, released a new attack ad featuring Andrew Pollock calling into question Good’s […]

Jacob OglesOctober 26, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-10-25-at-11.57.36-PM.png

Democrat Liv Coleman, a candidate for Florida House District 73, focuses on fixing red tide in a new video advertisement released Thursday night. With imaged of dead fish piled on area beaches, Coleman strikes a bipartisan tone in the campaign ad. “Red tide doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat,” Coleman says […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 25, 2018

State Senator Jeff Brandes will revive an amendment he filed during the 2019 Legislative Session that would expand medical marijuana access and allow patients to smoke their medicine, he said during a dispensary opening in St. Petersburg Thursday. Brandes’ 2017 amendment would have shifted Florida’s medical marijuana law from its current “vertical” structure that requires […]

Influence
U.S. Rep. Cory Mills delivering Starlink systems to Florida Highway Patrol. Image via Mills.

Looking ahead: Florida TaxWatch publishes guide for ‘whoever’ wins gubernatorial election

Joe Biden adviser Jake Sullivan endorses Liv Coleman

‘An important step’: Bernie Sanders backs Amendment 4

James Buchanan continues to lead Tony Mowry in race for dollars

Jim Bonfiglio laps Mike Caruso in fundraising — thanks to self-loan

Joe Gruters shifts into overdrive for himself, fellow Republicans

Order in the (Supreme) Court: Suit aims to short-circuit nominating process

Margaret Good says hey, hey, don’t vote for NRA-owned Ray Pilon

Liv Coleman focuses on red tide solutions in late ad

Smoke if you got ’em: Jeff Brandes will refile smokable pot bill