Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJanuary 11, 2019

The Republican Party of Florida brought in more than $6 million in the last two months of 2018, making for about $71.5 million in total fundraising last year. RPOF’s newly filed finance report covers includes a handful of days that preceded the Nov. 6 general election. With five statewide races and numerous state Senate battlegrounds […]

Scott PowersJanuary 7, 2019

On Tuesday as many as 1.4 million felons who have served all terms of their sentences will get the right to register to vote in Florida thanks to voters approval in November of Amendment 4, a day that felons’ voter rights champion Desmond Meade said would be historic and a celebration. “Tomorrow when returning citizens across […]

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2018

The last few weeks of November saw Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum receive almost $1.25 million in contributions to his affiliated political committee, Forward Florida. According to a newly filed campaign finance report covering Nov. 2 through Nov. 30, the soft money account cashed nearly $1.5 million in checks, with the vast majority of those […]

Drew WilsonDecember 8, 2018

State Rep. Randy Fine launched his 2020 re-election bid on Nov. 19, and thanks to his prodigious fundraising effort last cycle he was able to hit the ground running. A newly filed campaign finance report shows the Brevard County Republican already has $21,500 in the bank. The bulk of that money — $20,000 — marked […]

Drew WilsonDecember 6, 2018

It took more than $82 million in campaign funds for Republican Rick Scott to boot Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson from office, and more than three quarters of that cash came from two-term Governor’s personal wealth. The post-election finance report for Scott’s principal campaign committee, Rick Scott for Florida, shows the former HCA exec plunked […]

Drew WilsonDecember 5, 2018

Incoming Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried announced her inaugural committee Wednesday, with political consultant Ben Pollara and Jenni Shaffren — Fried’s sister — tapped to serve as committee co-chairs. Pollara was a senior adviser to Fried’s campaign and served as the campaign manager of the successful 2016 ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the Sunshine […]

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2018

The Seminole County Republican Party, fresh off an election that saw voters turning more than ever toward Democratic candidates, has dropped two former state representatives from the executive committee, Bob Cortes and Jason Brodeur. Seminole Republican Executive Committee Chair Kathryn Townsend said Friday that both were dropped from the committee because they lost their standing […]

Drew WilsonNovember 29, 2018

A few weeks after ousting Republican Shawn Harrison from Tampa’s House District 63, newly minted Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell took the first step toward another run in the perennial swing seat. On Tuesday, Driskell joined more than 30 other incumbent members of the Florida House — including fellow freshman Democratic Reps. Anna Eskamani of Orlando, Rep. Dianne […]

Drew WilsonNovember 27, 2018

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis will be getting his economic policy advice from former House Speaker Will Weatherford and GrayRobinson lobbyist Chris Spencer as he makes the transition to the Governor’s mansion. “Your support for the incoming administration and your assistance on these important policy issues will help shape the future of Florida,” transition team head James […]

Guest AuthorNovember 26, 2018

The moment she figured it out, Melinda Fryman’s face fell. It was the look anyone who has watched Wile E. Coyote sprint over a cliff just when he thought he had finally caught the Road Runner would recognize. A few seconds of silence followed that felt like an eternity in the cramped room, surrounded by the Canvassing Board, […]

Tag: 2018 election

Florida GOP caps off 2018 with $6M haul, Democrats $1M

Desmond Meade calls on felons to register, celebrate as ‘returning citizens’

Andrew Gillum’s committee still reeling in donations

Randy Fine starts off 2020 bid with a bang

Rick Scott spent $63 million punching his ticket to Washington

Ben Pollara, Jenni Shaffren to chair Nikki Fried inaugural committee

Republican battles in Seminole County: Bob Cortes, Jason Brodeur ousted from executive committee

Fentrice Driskel files for re-election in HD 63

Will Weatherford, Chris Spencer to advise Ron DeSantis on economic policy

Matt Mitchell: Be like Melinda