Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMay 9, 2016

In Tallahassee, Tampa Rep. Dana Young has long been considered a pol whose career may transcend the House. Combine her political bloodline (grandfather was Senate president, uncle served in the House) and prowess on the campaign trail (soundly defeated all comers in a swing seat since 2010) and it’s not hard to see Young has more juice […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

The Northwest Florida chain reaction started by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller‘s decision to retire from Congress continued apace on Tuesday. Gulf Breeze Rep. Doug Broxson has announced a run for the state Senate, seeking to replace Sen. Greg Evers – who announced Monday he will run for Miller’s seat against Rep. Matt Gaetz – in staunchly conservative SD 1. Broxson’s campaign touted […]

Ryan RayApril 19, 2016

Democratic attorney and activist Emily Slosberg is dropping her Senate bid in SD 30, she announced Tuesday. But Slosberg is only pushing the pause button on her political ambitions. “I am withdrawing my name for State Senate District 30. I will be running for the District 91 State House seat when my father retires in 2018,” said the younger […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2016

Three of the five Senate races in Hillsborough or Pinellas County feature an incumbent running without opposition. In a fourth race – the one for Senate District 18 – Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young has no challenger yet, although a Democrat is expected to file next week. As of April, SD 19 is the only Bay area seat with […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

Republican Reps. Ritch Workman and Debbie Mayfield put up middling fundraising numbers in a March reporting period shortened by a prohibition on accepting contributions during the 2016 Legislative Session, which ended March 11. Workman, who represents Melbourne in House District 52, reported raising just $5,000 while spending $10,459. Mayfield, from Vero Beach-based HD 54, reported raising $2,075 and spending […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2016

Pensacola state Rep. Clay Ingram has decided against a run for the state Senate, he announced Thursday. Ingram was speculated to be a likely candidate in the race to replace Sen. Greg Evers, who is contemplating running for the 1st Congressional District seat vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. Northwest Florida politicos thought Thursday would be the day […]

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 21, 2016

State Rep. Matt Gaetz is ready to bring his fiery brand of northwest Florida conservatism to Washington D.C. The Fort Walton Beach Republican is abandoning his bid for the Florida Senate and instead will run for the congressional seat now held by Republican Jeff Miller. He announced he will retire at the end of his eighth and current term. […]

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 […]

Tag: 2016 state Senate races
Image via AP.

Dana Young cited as ‘Republican force’ in Roll Call

Doug Broxson announces 2016 Senate run in SD 1

Emily Slosberg to drop Senate bid, run for House in 2018

Where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay’s 2016 legislative races

Debbie Mayfield, Ritch Workman post ho-hum March fundraising figures in SD 17 race

Not waiting for Greg Evers’ decision, Clay Ingram says he won’t run for state Senate

Mike Haridopolos bails on rumored return to state Senate

Matt Gaetz launching campaign for Florida’s 1st Congressional District

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