Orlando

Scott PowersJune 9, 2016

Orange County voters will try again and try again to do something many officials thought it had already done once, convert the sheriff, tax collector, comptroller and three other offices to nonpartisan elected officials. The Orange County Charter Review Commission voted Thursday to put not one but two new proposed charter amendments on the November […]

Scott PowersJune 9, 2016

A critical vote on Orange County’s tourist tax Thursday night virtually assured there will be no more changes anytime soon in how that money is spent, and led to a threatening, name-calling confrontation between Mayor Teresa Jacobs and hotel czar Harris Rosen. Rosen is an influential outlier in Orlando’s tourism industry and a big proponent […]

Scott PowersJune 9, 2016

Democratic congressional candidate Bob Poe of Orlando announced Thursday that he has HIV, though he is healthy and has been so since first being diagnosed 18 years ago. Poe, a Democrat running in Florida’s 10th Congressional District, said he struggled all year trying to decide whether, when and how to come out to voters and the public […]

Drew WilsonJune 9, 2016

Maitland Democrat Mike Clelland added another $97,000 in contributions last month, putting him farther ahead of his two primary opponents in the Senate District 13 race. “I am honored and energized by the tremendous support I continue to receive from my community. This outpouring of support has only deepened my commitment to serve the people […]

Scott PowersJune 8, 2016

Democrat Val Demings has won the endorsement of Teamsters Local 385 in her quest to be elected in Florida’s 10th Congressional District. Demings, a former Orlando police chief, received the backing in part because of her long career at the police department. “As a former union member during her days with the Orlando Police Department, […]

Peter SchorschJune 8, 2016

The latest bout of redistricting drama has Democratic Rep. Kevin Rader and Sen. Joe Abruzzo looking to trade places in the fall. Rader, in his second term in House District 81, announced Wednesday he will forgo re-election and instead run in the newly redrawn Senate District 29 with Abruzzo’s blessing. “Joe Abruzzo is an incredible […]

Scott PowersJune 8, 2016

The last Democrat to hold the seat in Orlando-based House District 47, Linda Stewart, has endorsed Beth Tuura among three Democrats running for the seat this year, Tuura’s campaign announced Wednesday. Stewart, a longtime activist and former county commissioner who is running for the Florida Senate this year, picked Tuura over Democrats Henry Lim and […]

Scott PowersJune 8, 2016

The first three days of pre-qualifying for state Senate races in Central Florida show four of the 10 declared candidates in three races fell short of submitting enough valid signatures for the ballot by petition. So far, only an Aug. 30 Democratic primary in Senate District 11 would be assured, based on those candidates who appear to have enough […]

Scott PowersJune 7, 2016

Democrats Henry Lim and Clint Curtis made clear during a debate Tuesday night that House District 47 voters have a clear choice between someone not eager to compromise and someone who thinks its the best way for Democrats to be effective. The two paired off in the first of two debates focusing on education and […]

Scott PowersJune 7, 2016

Democratic state Sen. Darren Soto has received another congressional endorsement in his bid to be elected in Florida’s 9th Congressional District, this time from U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas of California. Vargas, the son of Mexican immigrants who grew up on a California chicken ranch, said he sees in Soto someone who understand immigrant families. “Darren […]

Orlando

Orange County voters get to try and try again to make elections non-partisan

Orange County tourist tax issue headed to ballot

Congressional Candidate Bob Poe: ‘I have HIV’

Mike Clelland adds another $97K, widens lead in SD 13 primary race

Teamsters Local 385 endorses Val Demings in CD 10 contest

Kevin Rader, Joe Abruzzo forgo re-election, look to trade places

Beth Tuura gets blessing of Linda Stewart in HD 47 race

Six candidates submit petitions appearing to reach qualifying threshold in Central Florida senate races

Democrats Henry Lim and Clint Curtis battle sharply in HD 47 debate

California U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas endorses Darren Soto in CD 9