Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2018

Target and Walmart are heading to court to get an administrative law judge to give them what Gov. Rick Scott wouldn’t: The ability to sell whiskey and Wheaties in the same store. The big-box retailers late Monday filed an administrative challenge against the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages And Tobacco (ABT). At issue: The state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule,” which restricts […]

Jacob OglesSeptember 24, 2018

Republican Will Robinson during the first weeks of September brought in more than five times as much as Democrat Tracy Platt, dimming hopes of an upset in Florida House District 71. Robinson pulled in $25,925 in the reporting period, compared to $4,575 for Pratt. While Pratt holds a not-so-shabby $42,122 in cash on hand, Robinson […]

Jacob OglesSeptember 24, 2018

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Halfway through September, Democrat Liv Coleman boasts more cash on hand than Republican Tommy Gregory, the heavy favorite to win an open seat in state House District 73. But before anyone gets excites, Gregory still raised slightly more in the first weeks of September. He pulled in $1,710 in the filing period, compared to $1,325 […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 24, 2018

Brittany Dover has joined Republican Matt Caldwell‘s campaign for Agriculture Commissioner as Deputy Finance Director, and Jeremy Sheftel is now on board as Deputy Campaign Manager, the campaign announced Monday. “We have raised over $1 million in contributions in the three short weeks since the Primary Election,” campaign spokesperson Brian Swensen said in a statement. “It […]

Jacob OglesSeptember 24, 2018

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Faith Olivia Babis and Kathy Lewis attended the same conferences for advocates for the disabled before either became a political candidate. Now the two hope to join forces in the state Senate. They face long odds — both Democrats running in heavily Republican districts — but a challenge never stopped these women before. “People tell me […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 24, 2018

James Blair, a close advisor to House Speaker Richard Corcoran, is the next member of the board overseeing Enterprise Florida. Corcoran appointed Blair, who’s long served as his political right-hand man, to the board of directors for Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s economic development organization. The appointment, effective Oct. 1, “is a great honor,” Blair said in […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 20, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday ordered flags at half-staff “as a tribute to those who lost their lives during Hurricane Maria.” Scott directed the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Capitol from noon Thursday to sunset. He did not make a statement to accompany his order. Scott was traveling to Puerto […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 20, 2018

Florida Realtors PAC, the political arm of the state’s largest professional association, issued endorsements in statewide races and a bundle of legislative districts Wednesday. The group released three waves of endorsements ahead of the Aug. 28 primary election. Now that the title cards are set, their list of preferred candidates received a few adjustments. Republican […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 19, 2018

Despite recent public polls showing Democratic candidates down by a hair in some of the Florida Democratic Party’s major state Senate targets, the party is pointing to new measures that show another three more chances to overtake Republican-held districts. “While the focus has been on the State Senate Districts most affected by the Fair Districts […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 18, 2018

Those spending next week in Tallahassee can fill their calendar with a pair of fundraisers for Senate Democrats on Wednesday and Thursday. The first event will benefit a political committee tied to soon-to-be state Sen. Jason Pizzo, who last month unseated incumbent Sen. Daphne Campbell from Miami-Dade’s Senate District 38 after a 54-46 percent victory […]

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

Target, Walmart file rule challenge for ‘whiskey and Wheaties’

Will Robinson raises five times Tracy Pratt’s take in HD 71

Surprise: Liv Coleman holds slight cash lead on Tommy Gregory in HD 73

Personnel note: Brittany Dover, Jeremy Sheftel join Matt Caldwell campaign

Enabled, not disabled: Candidates run to raise disability rights awareness

Personnel note: James Blair named to Enterprise Florida board

Flags at half-staff for victims of Hurricane Maria

Yard signs: Florida Realtors announce November election endorsements

Florida Democrats say their state Senate map is still expanding

Senate Democrats holding Tallahassee fundraisers Wednesday, Thursday