Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 14, 2018

Sitting Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister brought in $31,445 last month for his campaign to win a full term in the job. Chronister brought in the money across 123 contributions, including 18 checks for $1,000. Among the top donors for the month were Tampa Honda, Netterfield’s Popcorn and Lemonade, The Leytham Group, Parks Advocacy Group, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 14, 2018

Mike McCalister entered the race for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, setting up a four-way Republican primary to replace Adam Putnam, who is termed-out and running for Governor. Florida Politics previously reported that McCalister, a retired Army Colonel, was eyeing a run for the seat with a decision to come in early spring. McCalister got some name […]

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson was elected mayor of Apopka Tuesday, ended the tenure of Mayor Joe Kilsheimer after one four-year term. Nelson, a one-term county commissioner who previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, defeated Kilsheimer 61 to 38 percent, with a voter turnout of about 20.5 percent, with just over 6,400 votes cast […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February fundraising reports show the four sitting Hillsborough County Commissioners who’ll be on the ballot in 2018 are far ahead in fundraising for their respective races. Commissioner Ken Hagan’s campaign account is the most flush of all, with more $458,000 in the bank, including $3,750 raised last month. Hagan, a Republican, currently holds the countywide […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

February campaign finance reports show Pat Gerard and state Rep. Kathleen Peters are firmly in the lead in the races for the District 2 and District 6 seats on the Pinellas County Commission. Gerard, a Democrat and the incumbent District 2 commissioner, raised $4,650 last month, putting her campaign a couple hundred dollars shy of […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

House District 37 frontrunner Ardian Zika picked up an endorsement Tuesday from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes. “Ardian Zika is a conservative Republican who knows what it takes to build a business, make payroll and grow our economy,” Brandes said in a press release. “Ardian’s story – how he left a civil war-torn country […]

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

Appearing on Fox News Tuesday morning, Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis defended the House Intelligence Committee’s Republican declaration Monday that it was ending its Russia probe after concluding there had been no collusion with Russia by the presidential campaign of Donald Trump. DeSantis, a congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, said he thinks the Russians’ […]

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

Retired Florida Highway Patrol Chief Jose “Joe” Lopez and Orlando Police Chief John Mina each raised about $20,000 in the first month of the Orange County sheriff’s race. Lopez, of Orlando, is reporting that he brought in $20,263.93, including $3,888.93 for professional campaign services during February. His campaign spent $256 leaving it with about $16,119 […]

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

New Republican candidate Mikaela Nix of Orlando raised more than $20,000 in her first month of campaigning for Florida’s House District 47 seat. Nix, a lawyer, drew more than 70 donations to her campaign including nine maximum $1,000 checks, many of them coming from a Feb. 21 fundraiser. She’s facing Winter Park businessman Stockton Reeves VI […]

Drew WilsonMarch 13, 2018

Republican Jeremy Bailie picked up an endorsement for his House District 69 campaign from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri on Monday. “I’m pleased to offer my support for Jeremy Bailie in his campaign for the Florida State House of Representatives, District 69,” Gualtieri said. “I’ve seen the dedication that he has to protect our community, […]

Tag: 2018 election

Chad Chronister raises another $31K for Hillsborough Sheriff race

Mike McCalister enters Agriculture Commissioner race

Bryan Nelson knocks Joe Kilsheimer from Apopka mayor’s office

Hillsborough Commissioners hold big leads in re-election battles

Kathleen Peters, Pat Gerard maintain leads in Pinellas Commission races

Jeff Brandes backs Ardian Zika for state House

Ron DeSantis: Russia may be malevolent but no collusion with Trump campaign

Joe Lopez, John Mina each raise about $20K in first month of Orange County sheriff’s race

Mikaela Nix raises $20K in first month in HD 47 race

Bob Gualtieri endorses Jeremy Bailie for HD 69