Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonApril 2, 2018

Republican Tommy Gregory announced Thursday that Lakewood Ranch Republican Club President Steve Vernon endorsed his campaign to replace Rep. Joe Gruters in House District 73. “Tommy Gregory is a patriot and a true conservative. He understands how our economy works and how important it is to keep taxes low and government regulations to a minimum,” […]

Scott PowersMarch 19, 2018

Republican congressional candidate Mike Miller announced an endorsement from fellow state Rep. Joe Gruters today — as a link to the Oval Office. Gruters is President Donald Trump‘s Florida campaign chairman, a point stressed in a news release issued by Miller’s campaign Monday morning in his quest to be elected in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Miller, a two-term […]

Staff ReportsMarch 8, 2018

State Rep. Joe Gruters is setting his sights on the Florida Senate. The Sarasota Republican announced Thursday he is filing for Senate District 23, which covers Sarasota County and parts of western Charlotte County. Incumbent state Sen. Greg Steube is vacating SD 23 to mount a bid for Tom Rooney’s Congressional seat. Gruters, 40, has […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube announced Monday that he will run for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. “I’m running because Washington is broken; it needs to serve the people it was intended to serve, Floridians; rather than special interests in DC,” Steube said in an email. “My entire adult life has been about service, I enlisted […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Last week U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney put out the “Rooney out” message, launching a wave of speculation over who could step in and win the heavily Republican CD 17 in the fall. So far, all the GOP candidates running to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – former Winter Haven Rep. Baxter Troutman, Lehigh Acres Rep. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2018

For Sarasota-area Democrats, hope springs eternal. Tuesday night, Margaret Good won a decisive seven-point victory over Republican James Buchanan in the House District 72 special election. Now Democrats are eyeing much bigger prey — Florida’s 16th Congressional District held by Vern Buchanan, who made millions owning car dealership before turning to politics in 2006, winning a hugely controversial victory over Democrat Christine Jennings. […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2018

For the closing moments of the House District 72 special election, Republican James Buchanan ripped a page from the Donald Trump campaign playbook – holding a Trump-like rally, complete with a chorus of “lock her up.” While intended to excite supporters, the demonstration also set Democrats on fire. The hourlong rally in Sarasota County – featuring […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 5, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell announced another block endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign from colleagues in the Florida House Monday, this time mostly from the Tampa Bay area. “I am proud to receive the endorsements from my colleagues. I will continue to work hard to earn support from Floridians across the Sunshine State, who […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 2, 2018

Republican state Rep. Joe Gruters landed an appointment from the Trump Administration Thursday to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors through October 2022. The Sarasota accountant served as co-chair of President Donald Trump’s campaign in Florida, and the move appears to have paid dividends. Gruters took to Twitter shortly after the announcement, saying he […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2018

A trio of alcoholic beverage-related bills moved through a House panel Tuesday: — Beer advertisements in theme parks would be allowed under a bill approved by the Careers and Competition Subcommittee. That measure (HB 669) was approved 13-2, with chair Halsey Beshears, a Monticello Republican, and Rep. Larry Ahern, a Seminole Republican, casting ‘no’ votes. […]

Tag: Joe Gruters
Image via AP.

Tommy Gregory endorsed by Steve Vernon in HD 73 race

Mike Miller announces Joe Gruters’ endorsement, citing Donald Trump connection

Joe Gruters sets his sights on Florida Senate

Greg Steube is running for Congress; seeks seat being vacated by Tom Rooney

How the dominoes could fall after ‘Rooney out’

An early look at the Vern Buchanan-David Shapiro CD 16 showdown

Email insights: James Buchanan closes HD 72 race with Donald Trump playbook

Matt Caldwell announces ‘seventh wave’ of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid

Donald Trump names Joe Gruters to Amtrak board

Bottoms up: Booze bills moving in House