Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayJuly 24, 2015

Orlando activist Tiffany Namey, a staple on the left-leaning political circuit in “the City Beautiful,” said Friday she won’t seek the Democratic nomination in House District 30 to challenge first-term Altamonte Springs Republican Rep. Bob Cortes. As first reported by Frank Torres in The Orlando Political Observer, Namey cited personal and strategic reasons for taking a pass […]

Mitch PerryJuly 24, 2015

(Updated with quote from Eric Lynn spokesman Bill Burton below). Even before a poll was released earlier this week that showed he would be an overwhelming underdog to former governor Charlie Crist in a Democratic primary election in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, Eric Lynn made it clear that he was committing to run for the seat next year. And that’s […]

Mitch PerryJuly 24, 2015

A new survey of a newly reconfigured Florida 13th Congressional District map shows a hypothetical Charlie Crist versus Rick Baker matchup could be a cliffhanger. The survey from St. Pete Polls shows Crist leading with 46.2 percent of the vote, to Baker’s 42.2 percent. The remaining 11.6 percent are undecided. Baker leads the only declared Democrat in the CD 13 race, Eric Lynn, […]

Phil AmmannJuly 23, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced the selection of Palmetto attorney Teresa “Teri” Kaklis Dees on Thursday to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, which covers DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. Dees, 43, has been a partner at the law office of Weiffenbach & Kaklis since 1997. Previously, she was an associate with the law office of John […]

Guest AuthorJuly 23, 2015

In one way, supporters and detractors of U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson agree: He’s a lightning rod. The Republican Party of Florida loves this about him because it provides fresh material for attack ads; partisans because he revs them up. The Democratic establishment hates it because it screws up the possibility of having a clean, organized, […]

Bob SparksJuly 23, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court has the final say in all things concerning the Florida Constitution. They determine, among other things, if actions taken by the legislative and executive branch are compliant with the Constitution. When it comes to redistricting, they have assumed the lead role in the process. No one, other than a fellow justice, […]

Guest AuthorJuly 23, 2015

Did you go out and buy a copy of Go Set a Watchman? Harper Lee’s manuscript was supposedly found by her lawyer last year and released last Tuesday. Many of Lee’s friends voiced concern that the author might not have wanted the release, but it’s hard to tell. Harper Lee doesn’t talk to the media, […]

Ryan RayJuly 23, 2015

Many dissident Florida Democrats who resented a perceived “coronation” of Charlie Crist as last year’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee see the same establishment attitude toward U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy as he fends off a challenge from U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for the Senate. Those progressives who supported former Sen. Nan Rich against Crist last year might be surprised, then, […]

Associated PressJuly 23, 2015

Now that Cuba has an embassy again in Washington, D.C., consulates could be coming to serve its people, most of whom live in Florida. Miami and Tampa have the closest historical ties to the island, but they have very different things to say about the idea. Officials in Miami want no part of a consulate. […]

Guest AuthorJuly 22, 2015

When I first began my teaching career it was in an inner city school where extreme poverty permeated nearly every child’s life. It hung in the air outside the chain-link fence surrounding the school like an oppressive fog, waiting to engulf my students as soon as the school day ended. Knowing what they were headed toward […]

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Activist Tiffany Namey to stay out of HD 30 race in Orlando

Pinellas Democratic Party chair thinks it’s premature to speculate about CD 13 race

Charlie Crist 46%, Rick Baker 42% in new survey of proposed CD 13 map

Gov. Scott picks Teresa “Teri” Kaklis Dees for 12th Judicial Circuit Court

Chris Timmons: Politics is organized around passion — so Florida Democrats need Alan Grayson

Bob Sparks: Supreme Court takes command in redistricting process

Catherine Durkin Robinson: First, Cliff Huxtable. Now, Atticus Finch

Patrick Murphy endorses Nan Rich for Broward commission

Cuban consulate possibility divides Miami, Tampa officials

Andy Ford: Free public schools to help break shackles of poverty