Orlando

Larry GriffinNovember 8, 2016

In Senate District 13, Linda Stewart swept the polls with 58 percent of the vote, topping opponent Dean Asher‘s 41 percent. Asher was a self-described moderate Republican, and Stewart a progressive Democrat. Asher’s focus was mostly on jobs and allowing small businesses to thrive. He presented himself very much as the sensible, community-minded Republican. Stewart, meanwhile, is a progressive focused […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Facing only write-ins or independent candidates. Randolph Bracy, Dennis Baxley, and Dorothy Hukill cruised to victories for seats in Florida’s Senate Tuesday. Bracy, a Democratic state representative from the Orlando suburb of Oakland, made official what had been just needing a formality in the Orlando-based state Senate 11 seat, collecting virtually all the votes against […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Tuesday night’s election was just a formality, but now it has become official: upstart Democratic candidate Aramis Ayala of Orlando was elected state attorney in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit, making her the first African-American state attorney in Florida’s history. Ayala effectively won the race when she upset incumbent Jeff Ashton in the Democratic primary in August because there were […]

Larry GriffinNovember 8, 2016

In House District 42, Mike La Rosa beat opponent Benny Valentin to win his seat again, with a five-point lead that is impressive considering the massive financial differences between their campaigns. The race between the two was never financially close, with La Rosa reporting contributions upwards of $200,000 and Valentin only coming up with about $7,000 with $8,000 […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

The woman who likes to talk about herself as the daughter of a janitor and maid who grew up to be a police chief has now been elected as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Early returns based on early voting and mail-in voting, plus a small handful of precincts, shows Democrat Val […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

State Sen. Darren Soto’s dream of becoming the first Puerto Rican member of Congress from Florida became reality Tuesday when he swept aside an underfunded Republican opponent in what is now clearly Florida’s first Puerto Rican-dominated congressional district. Early returns based on early voting and mail-in voting, gave Soto an insurmountable lead over Republican nominee […]

Scott PowersNovember 7, 2016

U.S. Rep. John Mica is working it. He’s working it hard, perhaps like the 12-term Republican congressman has never had to do literally in decades. He’s working it as if, for the first time ever, his political career depends on it. “We have more people on the ground than anybody. We’ve gone door to door. […]

Scott PowersNovember 7, 2016

Democratic Florida State Sen. Darren Soto has received the endorsement of President Barack Obama for Florida’s 9th Congressional District. Soto faces Republican nominee Wayne Liebnitzky in CD 9, which covers southern Orange County, Osceola County, and eastern Polk County. “Darren will be the kind of progressive leader we need to build on all of the […]

Larry GriffinNovember 6, 2016

On the eve of early voting’s end Sunday night, Congressional District 7 hopeful Stephanie Murphy, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith of House District 49 and Pulse survivor Brandon Wolf, who also works with the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, came together outside the Florida Coordinated Campaign office on Colonial Drive to promote the election of leaders who will […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2016

Democrats are still in a strong position for Orlando’s three Senate seats, with Republican Realtor Dean Asher still the only candidate standing in the way of a clean sweep. Asher raised another $25,775 for his campaign account and $5,000 for his committee, “Allegiant Friends For Florida,” during the Oct. 22 through Nov. 3 reporting period, […]

Orlando
Gov. Ron DeSantis in Wauchula. Screenshot via Florida Channel.

Linda Stewart defeats Dean Asher to win SD 13 seat

Randolph Bracy, Dennis Baxley, Dorothy Hukill cruise to state Senate victories

Aramis Ayala becomes first black state attorney in Florida’s history

Incumbent Mike La Rosa wins back HD 42 seat from Benny Valentin

Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings heading for Congress

Darren Soto wins CD 9, gives Florida its first Puerto Rican congressman

John Mica pressing hard in last effort to keep his seat

After warming up for Barack Obama, Darren Soto announces his endorsement in CD 9

Democratic leaders rally around Stephanie Murphy to promote LGBT causes before final voting day

Final round-up of the money race in Central Florida’s legislative races