Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2018

Christian Bax, director of Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), has stepped down after a controversial three-year tenure that frustrated patients, angered lawmakers, and witnessed an explosion in litigation. His resignation is effective Aug. 10. Deputy director Courtney Coppola will serve as interim director, Department of Health spokesman Devin Galleta said Friday. Bax’s resignation letter, released […]

Ryan NicolJuly 27, 2018

Liberal action group Latino Victory Fund, which seeks to help elect more Latinos to government, is offering up new three new endorsements for the Florida Legislature. “David Perez, Brendan Ramirez, and Robert Asencio are strong Latino leaders with a demonstrated commitment to their communities, and they will play a key role in turning out Latino progressives this election […]

Scott PowersJuly 27, 2018

The Everglades Foundation has hired Shannon Estenoz to be its chief operating officer and vice president for policy and programs, as well as four others into senior staff-level positions, the organization announced Friday. Estenoz, a Broward County resident, has worked 21 years in environmental policy and advocacy, most recently at the U.S. Department of the Interior, […]

Scott PowersJuly 27, 2018

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter has been elected as the new president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, the group announced Friday morning. Hunter, a 24-year law enforcement veteran and Columbia County native, takes over leadership of the group representing the state’s 67 county sheriffs from Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson. “The Florida Sheriffs Association could not […]

Scott PowersJuly 26, 2018

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida has completed its list of endorsements for Florida Cabinet and contested primary races for the Florida Legislature, announcing the backing of Republican Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis‘s re-election effort, and 30 legislative candidates. Though it has not yet been announced, the association, meeting this week in Marco Island, […]

Peter SchorschJuly 26, 2018

With a number of competitive races slated for the 2018 ballot, Florida Senate Republicans are planning a grand slam of a fundraiser at the U.S. Open in New York City next month. According to an invitation sent out by the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the main committee supporting GOP state Senate campaigns, donors who […]

Jim RosicaJuly 24, 2018

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Give Costco’s lawyers some credit: They may have a found a way to finally be able to sell tequila and turkey burgers in the same store. The answer may involve its food courts — turkey provolone sandwich, anyone? — and repealing the state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule.” And already, Costco’s critics are calling it an […]

Drew WilsonJuly 24, 2018

Milton Republican Rep. Jayer Williamson is holding a fundraiser for his House District 3 re-election campaign next Thursday in Pensacola. The Aug. 2 reception will be held at The Fish House Bait Shop, 600 S. Barracks St., beginning with a 5 p.m. happy hour followed by a 6 p.m. dinner. Supporters interested in attending can […]

Michael MolineJuly 24, 2018

State government’s self-insurance fund faces a $14 million shortfall during the 2019-2020 fiscal year, driven in part by the cost of repairing Hurricane Irma’s damage to state property and medical inflation. Florida’s Revenue Estimating Conference, comprising top state economists, arrived at the figure Monday. ”The Legislature’s going to have to address that,” said Amy Baker, […]

Drew WilsonJuly 23, 2018

The political arm of the state’s largest professional trade association, Florida Realtors, has announced endorsements for another 16 candidates running for state legislative seats in the fall. The new endorsements follow the group’s bulk endorsement two weeks ago that saw 87 legislative candidates get the nod alongside the Florida Realtor’s top-of-ticket recommendations, which included Adam Putnam […]

Influence

Christian Bax quits as state’s top medical marijuana regulator

Latino Victory Fund endorsing trio of Florida Legislature candidates

Everglades Foundation adds to senior staff

Columbia Sheriff Mark Hunter new sheriffs’ association leader

Jimmy Patronis, 30 legislative candidates get builders’ backing

Florida Senate Republicans to raise cash at the U.S. Open

It’s back: Costco’s weapon to win ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ war

Jayer Williamson announces Aug. 2 fundraiser in Pensacola

State’s self-insurance fund projected to run low again next year

Florida Realtors announce second wave of legislative endorsements