Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJanuary 12, 2016

A fourth candidate has filed to run for House District 70, currently held by termed-out St. Petersburg Democrat Darryl Rouson. Business owner Dan Fiorini filed on Friday to run as a Democrat, setting up a primary against St. Petersburg City Commissioner Wengay Newton, who entered the race in October. Fiorini has never held elected office, but is no […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 12, 2016

Democratic Rep. Daphne Campbell said Tuesday she will run for state Senate in the newly redrawn District 38. “I am thrilled to announce my campaign for State Senate District 38,” the Miami Shores Democrat said in a news release. “Since 2010, it has been my highest honor to serve the incredible people of House District 108. I came […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 12, 2016

A Miami attorney filed to run for House District 120 last week, setting up a Democratic primary in the Republican-leaning district. Kevin Diaz filed his candidate paperwork on Friday and will run against retired teacher Artie Leichner in the Democratic Primary. The winner faces incumbent Key Largo Republican Rep. Holly Raschein on Election Day. Diaz earned his law […]

Ryan RayJanuary 11, 2016

Sarasota state Rep. Ray Pilon brought in his second-largest fundraising haul since drawing an opponent in the 2016 campaign cycle last month, raising $9,363 during the December reporting period. The showing takes Pilon to about $74,117 cash on hand after deducting $29,519 in expenditures from his $103,636 total raised. Pilon’s opponent, Democrat Edward James, added $5,170 to his campaign […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2016

Republican candidate Brian Hodgers gave another $200,000 to his House District 52 campaign in December, bringing his on-hand total to $332,619 after 10 months in the race. “Our community is worth investing in, and I believe I’m the right person to provide the strong, conservative leadership we need in Tallahassee,” Hodgers said when announcing the December haul. “I […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2016

A Volusia County school teacher has filed to run for House District 27 against current Republican Rep. David Santiago, who is eyeing a run for Congress. Republican Zenaida Denizac was elected to two terms on the Deltona City Commission, and served as the city’s vice mayor before an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2015. She lost that election to […]

Ryan RayJanuary 6, 2016

In a show of force behind Sen. Wilton Simpson‘s bid for the newly-redrawn SD 10, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, and CFO Jeff Atwater all came out with endorsements of Simpson on Wednesday. “We need Wilton Simpson back in the State Senate, and that is why I am enthusiastically endorsing his 2016 re-election campaign,” said Bondi. […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Attorney and Democratic politico Emily Slosberg opened a campaign account Monday in SD 25, a Palm Beach-area Senate district currently held by Sen. Joe Abruzzo. Slosberg is the daughter of Boca Raton Rep. Irv Slosberg. She was previously thought to be waiting in the wings for his HD 91 seat until the lawmaker terms out in 2018, but the newly-revised […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Former Rep. Mike Clelland confirmed speculation he will indeed run for the open state Senate seat vacated by term-limited President Andy Gardiner this year. The former Democratic lawmaker issued a statement Monday corroborating reports — first reported by Florida Politics — he will pursue a return to the statehouse. “Throughout my nearly three decades as a firefighter, I saw firsthand […]

Ryan RayDecember 24, 2015

Former Rep. Mike Clelland will pursue a return to Tallahassee in the open Senate District 13 seat vacated by term-limited Senate President Andy Gardiner, according to multiple Democratic operatives. The Morgan & Morgan attorney and former firefighter has made calls to past supporters to gauge interest in a bid for the Orlando-based Senate seat. One local Democrat told FloridaPolitics.com Clelland […]

Tag: 2016 State Legislative Campaign Coverage

Democrat Dan Fiorini files for open HD 70 seat in Pinellas

Daphne Campbell will challenge Gwen Margolis in new SD 38

Another Democrat, Kevin Diaz, files to challenge Holly Raschein in HD 120

Ray Pilon brings in $9K, Edward James $5K in HD 72 fundraising

Brian Hodgers tops $330K in race for HD 52

Former Deltona commissioner enters race in David Santiago’s HD 27

3 Florida Cabinet members among big-name pols endorsing Wilton Simpson in SD 10

Let Emily serve? Emily Slosberg files for 2016 Senate run

Mike Clelland confirms he’s running for SD 13 seat

Former Democratic lawmaker Mike Clelland eyeing bid in Senate District 13