Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2018

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Republican Rep. Joe Gruters wants Belleair Bluffs businessman Nick DiCeglie to join him in the state Legislature. The Sarasota GOP chair, who co-chaired Donald Trump’s Florida campaign, called his Pinellas counterpart a “true conservative leader” when he endorsed him over House District 66 Republican primary rival Bernie Jacques on Thursday. “As Chairman of the Pinellas […]

Drew WilsonAugust 2, 2018

After more than $200,000 spent on attack ads slamming Fort Lauderdale Sen. Gary Farmer, his lead has only grown in the primary rematch between him and former Rep. Jim Waldman. A tracking poll conducted by SEA Polling & Strategic Design found that as of Aug. 2, the first-term Senator had a 42-14 lead over Waldman […]

Drew WilsonAugust 2, 2018

Tampa Democrat Mike Alvarez landed a major backer Thursday as his chief rival in the three-way Democratic primary for House District 62, School Board member Susan Valdes, notched another campaign gaffe. The new endorsement came in from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents Florida’s 14th Congressional District, a territory that includes the Tampa-based state House […]

Drew WilsonAugust 1, 2018

Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw weighed in on the contest for the Florida House seat he’s giving up to run for Attorney General, announcing Wednesday that Tampa lawyer Karen Skyers is his pick to succeed him in Hillsborough County’s House District 61. “Karen Skyers is the right choice to build upon the progress that we have achieved […]

Drew WilsonAugust 1, 2018

Land O’ Lakes Republican Ardian Zika is rolling out a new ad touting an endorsement from Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco in the Republican primary for House District 37. “I’m Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and in this election, I’m standing with Ardian Zika for state representative,” Nocco says in the ad. “Ardian stands with […]

Drew WilsonAugust 1, 2018

Democratic state Sen. Gary Farmer’s words are coming back to bite him. As first reported by Florida Politics in March, Farmer and Democratic Sen. Lauren Book were the top two names in contention to succeed current Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson, but things went sideways in the Democratic caucus and Farmer made some sexist remarks […]

Drew WilsonAugust 1, 2018

Republican Ray Blacklidge announced Tuesday that he’d picked up an endorsement for his House District 69 bid from the statewide Fraternal Order of Police. The Florida State Lodge of the FOP represents has been representing Florida law enforcement officers for more than 60 years and counts more than 20,000 members among its ranks. “I am […]

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2018

Lithia Republican Mike Beltran is starting to gain some traction in his bid to succeed Republican Rep. Jake Raburn in Hillsborough County’s House District 57. The attorney and father of two entered the race for HD 57 a day before the end of the candidate qualifying period and has since piled on endorsements from staunch […]

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2018

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A joint fundraiser for four Central Florida Republicans is set for Wednesday evening at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. The 5:30 p.m. reception will benefit the re-election accounts of Altamonte Springs Rep. Bob Cortes, Winter Garden Rep. Robert “Bobby O” Olszewski, Longwood Rep. Scott Plakon and Orlando Rep. Rene Plasencia. The four incumbents will […]

Drew WilsonJuly 31, 2018

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Keiser University vice chancellor Belinda Keiser inked another six-figure check for her campaign to succeed Senate President Joe Negron in Senate District 25. During the reporting period covering July 7 through July 20, Keiser brought in just $10,600 in outside cash while boosted her campaign fund with another $225,000 in candidate loans. To date, the […]

Tag: 2018 legislative races

Joe Gruters backs Nick DiCeglie in HD 66 Republican primary

Poll: Attack ads backfiring in Gary Farmer, Jim Waldman rematch

Kathy Castor backs Mike Alvarez, admonishes Susan Valdes in HD 62

Sean Shaw endorses Karen Skyers as his successor in HD 61

Chris Nocco gives full endorsement of Ardian Zika in new ad

New ads slam Gary Farmer as ‘sexist’ and ‘obnoxious’

Police union backs Ray Blacklidge for HD 69

Mike Beltran gaining traction in HD 57 race

Central Florida lawmakers raising re-election cash Wednesday night

Belinda Keiser pours another $225K into SD 25 campaign