Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 6, 2016

Though Rep. George Moraitis has always been outnumbered by Democrats in the left-of-center Broward legislative delegation, the Fort Lauderdale Republican expressed confidence on Wednesday after Ken Keechl‘s announcement he’s running against Moraitis this year. Keechl, a former Broward County commissioner and mayor, criticized Moraitis as being out of step with voters on social and environmental issues, as well as […]

Peter SchorschApril 5, 2016

After openly floating a state Senate candidacy — and thereby reneging on his promise to back state Rep. Ritch Workman in his hometown district — former Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Tuesday he will not seek to return to the Legislature. “After thoroughly considering this opportunity and the call by many in my community to run for the state Senate, weighted with what is […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2016

Three months after new congressional and Florida Senate maps shook up the landscape, some of Central Florida’s House races are starting to crystalize, though there’s still plenty of drama left for the fall. House Districts 25, 27 and 48 are all open due to Senate and congressional aspirations, and clear frontrunners have emerged in at least two of those […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2016

Former Governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham will endorse Democratic HD 72 candidate Edward James on a conference call with reporters Thursday morning. James hopes the endorsement of perhaps Florida’s best-loved living pol will give his campaign a boost. “Governor Bob Graham has long been one of my heroes. He exemplifies what it truly means to be a […]

Ryan RayMarch 17, 2016

Democratic candidate Sean Shaw said in a memo to supporters he’s “truly humbled” by early fundraising returns in his bid for an open HD 61 seat based in Tampa. “In just 72 hours, you’ve given more than $5,000,” said Shaw. “Because of your response, we’re already putting together our team and building the GOTV operation that will win here.” […]

Peter SchorschMarch 16, 2016

Ritch Workman isn’t leaving the race for state Senate District 17 — and he’s fed up with Mike Haridopolos suggesting he will. Workman, term-limited from running again for the Florida House, says the former Senate President is contacting political allies in Tallahassee and in the newly-renumbered SD 17 floating his possible candidacy in the race and, to Workman’s […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

A pair of Sarasota legislative races saw major changes this past weekend. Rep. Ray Pilon decided to forgo a 2016 re-election bid for a fourth term in the House in favor of a Senate District 28 campaign, leaving his Democratic opponent Edward James running unopposed in a coastal swing seat. Pilon said Tuesday his decision came from the resolution […]

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Amid a cascade of statehouse dominoes in Northwest Florida in the aftermath of U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller‘s decision not to run for reelection to Congress, Rep. Mike Hill announced Monday he’ll run for Senate District 1. The seat is currently held by Baker Republican Sen. Greg Evers. Hill reportedly told his local Republican Executive Committee the move should not […]

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2016

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Longtime Democratic staffer and union organizer Alex Barrio will run for the House seat currently held by Rep. Victor Torres, who is running for Senate District 15. The move sets up a primary between Barrio and Torres’ daughter Amy Mercado, who is seeking to succeed Torres in the heavily Democratic HD 48 seat. Barrio told FloridaPolitics.com on Monday […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 27, 2016

Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley has moved his re-election campaign into the newly redrawn Senate District 5 and is, so far, the only candidate in the race. Bradley represents District 7, which is made up of Alachua, Clay and Bradford counties, but new maps approved by Florida Courts at the end of 2015 shifted the first term senator […]

Tag: 2016 State Legislative Campaign Coverage

George Moraitis responds to Ken Keechl’s challenge in HD 93 race

Mike Haridopolos bails on rumored return to state Senate

Here’s where sh*t stands in Central Florida’s state House races

Bob Graham to endorse Edward James in HD 72 race

Email Insights: Sean Shaw thanks supporters for early fundraising push

Ritch Workman not leaving state Senate race — no matter what Mike Haridopolos is saying

Ray Pilon jumps into Senate race; Edward James now unopposed in HD 72

Mike Hill to run for NW Florida Senate seat as dominoes fall

Alex Barrio files to run in Orlando-based HD 48

Rob Bradley running in newly drawn SD 5