Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieMarch 27, 2015

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Conservationist Mallory Lykes Dimmitt, biologist Joe Guthrie and photographer Carlton Ward Jr. sat secluded while eating lunch in the back room of a Tallahassee restaurant on Thursday, unaware that rain that had begun pouring down outside. A week earlier they would have been out in the weather while hiking, bicycling, paddling and camping on a […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 27, 2015

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With 16 Jacksonville City Council seats up for grabs on Tuesday (three candidates ran unopposed), there were obviously winners and losers to be found across the board. This post will evaluate the five At Large races, looking at who might have outperformed expectations and who didn’t achieve what seemed possible before the election. A separate […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2015

Florida’s relaxed rules regarding who can use a gun have led to critics call it “Gunshine State.” And that was before this year’s Legislative Session got underway. Current proposals before state lawmakers this spring include a proposal that would allow college students to carry concealed weapons on campus. They’re also considering arming public school personnel to help […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

Floridians are feeling good about the economy’s future. The best in a decade, in fact. Consumer sentiment among Floridians rose in March by more than 3 points to 96.8, the highest reading in 10 years, according to the monthly University of Florida survey. Sentiment increased in all five components that make up the index. “Florida […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 27, 2015

The binary Duval County SOE race between Republican Mike Hogan and Democrat Tracie Davis went Hogan’s way by about a 9-point margin. Despite Hogan besting Davis, who ran her first campaign after 13 years working in the Supervisor of Elections office, including four as deputy supervisor under Republican Jerry Holland, it’s hard to say there were any losers in […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2015

Loretta Lynch, President Barack Obama‘s choice to replace Eric Holder as U.S. Attorney General, was in Tampa Thursday for the swearing-in ceremony of Lee Bentley, the new U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida. Lynch is the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, and would be come the first black female AG in U.S. history if […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 27, 2015

Those who know Jacksonville mayoral candidate Lenny Curry know he leaves very little to chance, and that includes enlisting volunteers well ahead of the May 19 runoff election against Mayor Alvin Brown. In an email sent Thursday, Team Curry lets people know they “are entering the last stretch of our race — a runoff against Mayor […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 27, 2015

Bills are dying. Substantive House committees held their final rounds of meetings this week and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said Thursday he doesn’t plan to allow them to meet in the second half of the session. The exception, Crisafulli said, could be the House Civil Justice Subcommittee, which he will consider allowing to meet to […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott fired up his appointment pen Thursday, announcing 20 names to a variety of state regulatory boards. All of them are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. Board of Pilot Commissioners Scott picked Michael Jaccoma to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, which is responsible for licensing and regulating harbor pilots. Jaccoma, 57, […]

Associated PressMarch 26, 2015

The push to bring Las Vegas-resort-style casinos to South Florida is stalling again this year as the Legislature remains divided over what type of gambling to allow in the state. A major gambling bill sponsored by a top House Republican that includes the casino proposal has yet to be voted on — and it may […]

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After 1,000-mile trek, trio meets with legislators to talk conservation

Jax At Large council races: winners and losers

New survey says most Floridians oppose guns on campuses bill

Floridians remain positive about economy; consumer confidence best in decade

In Duval Supervisor of Elections race, there were no losers

Mitch Perry Report for 3.27.15 — Could Bob Menendez fate affect Loretta Lynch as AG?

Email Insights: Lenny Curry asks for volunteers

Buh-bye … Speaker confirms many House bills dead for 2015 session

Governor makes 20 new board appointments

Push for resort casinos stalls in Legislature