Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 28, 2018

Rebecca Kapusta will become interim Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) after the resignation of Secretary Mike Carroll, who’s leaving the post Sept. 6. Gov. Rick Scott announced the move Tuesday afternoon. He did not say when he expected to name a full-time replacement, if any; the term-limited governor departs office in […]

Ryan NicolAugust 27, 2018

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For Our Future Florida (FOF-FL), a progressive advocacy group, announced it reached a new milestone in its canvassing efforts across the state, having now knocked on more than 500,000 doors. “We’re leaving no stone unturned, talking with voters across the state—and as our volunteer program ramps up through Election Day, hundreds of Floridians will be […]

Drew WilsonAugust 27, 2018

Democratic state House candidate Amol Jethwani has been successful in getting young voters energized for down ballot races in Gainesville, a quality that hasn’t gone unnoticed by established Democratic politicians such as St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, who has endorsed his bid for House District 21. Though he surely has a promising future in politics, […]

Staff ReportsAugust 27, 2018

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Jennifer Tschetter has joined the Carlton Fields law firm’s national medical marijuana task force, the firm announced. She departed Tallahassee’s Hopping Green & Sams, where she’d been since 2016. The former general counsel, chief of staff and chief operating officer of the Florida Department of Health now co-chairs Carlton Fields’ 18-lawyer task force. There, she will “represent […]

Jim RosicaAugust 27, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott appointed two Tallahassee attorneys to the Florida Elections Commission, his office announced Friday night. Coincidentally, both specialize in representing automotive dealers. Martin Hayes, 62, is a partner at the Akerman firm. Hayes fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning Aug. 24 and ending Dec. 31, 2020. Hayes, a litigator, mainly […]

Jacob OglesAugust 26, 2018

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As red tide threatens the Gulf Coast economy, it’s also bringing political foes together. Look to a town hall event held in Sarasota by state Reps. Joe Gruters, a Republican, and Margaret Good, a Democrat. “Environmental crises don’t know it’s election season,” said Good, “and you don’t stop being an elected representative just because you […]

Staff ReportsAugust 25, 2018

Nearly 350 candidates are vying for state House and state Senate seats in 2018. Try as we will, Florida Politics can’t interview all of them. Just like in 2016, we’re again asking every candidate, including incumbents, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they are […]

Staff ReportsAugust 25, 2018

Nearly 350 candidates are vying for state House and state Senate seats in 2018. Try as we will, Florida Politics can’t interview all of them. Just like in 2016, we’re again asking every candidate, including incumbents, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they are […]

Drew WilsonAugust 24, 2018

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Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano on Friday said he helped reel in more than $7.2 million over the last four months for the main political committee supporting Republican state Senate campaigns. The finance report for the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (FRSCC) had not been uploaded to the Division of Elections public website as of Friday afternoon, […]

Drew WilsonAugust 23, 2018

Gainesville Democrat Olysha Magruder opened a new political committee Thursday in the twilight hours ahead of her Senate District 8 primary battle with fellow Democrat Kayser Enneking. The new committee, known as Protect Prepare Provide, is chaired by Magruder, with one of her SD 8 campaign staffers – Kara Jess – serving as treasurer. Though the committee was acknowledged by […]

Influence

Personnel note: Rebecca Kapusta made interim DCF Secretary

Knock on a half-million doors? No prob, For Our Future Florida says

House candidate spends campaign cash on haircuts, clothes and burritos

Personnel note: Jennifer Tschetter joins Carlton Fields

Rick Scott names lawyers to Florida Elections Commission

Joe Gruters, Margaret Good host bipartisan town hall on red tide

Meet Tammy Garcia, Democrat running for Florida House District 37

Meet Karen Skyers, Democrat running for Florida House District 61

Bill Galvano continues fundraising streak for Senate campaign arm

Olysha Magruder launches political committee as questions swirl over outside ads