Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 13, 2017

Orlando businessman and former lawyer Paul Paulson has seeded his campaign to run for Florida Agriculture Commissioner in 2018 with a $120,000 personal loan. Paulson, a state committeeman with the Orange County Republican Party and 2015 candidate for Orlando mayor, entered the agriculture commissioner race in late December, seeking to succeed fellow Republican Adam Putnam, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

Florida’s grapefruit crop held steady at nine million boxes, but its orange crop went down slightly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s February forecast. Thursday’s report projects a one million box reduction in the state’s orange crop to 70 million boxes. That’s after last month’s forecast also predicted a decrease. “Today’s forecast reflects a true utilization of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2017

Rep. Francis Rooney dismissed rumors he is considering gubernatorial bid, saying he is focused on “being the best congressman” he can be for Southwest Florida. Rooney, a freshman congressman and the former ambassador to the Holy See, said he was not considering a run for governor in 2018. “I am considering one thing — being the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2017

With a mix of old and new, the annual Florida State Fair kicks off Thursday. In addition to obligatory references to artery-clogging fair fare by local reporters (Deep-fried butter! Spaghetti Ice Cream!), Opening Day of the Fair is the setting for the yearly Governors Day Luncheon, where every man and women in Hillsborough County who is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 2, 2017

Each month, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam looks at the list of top job openings the governor gives him. And each month, the top jobs remains same. Nursing is usually at the top of the list, tractor-trailer drivers aren’t far behind. And their constant presence at the top of the list tells Putnam this: The state […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 1, 2017

Denise Grimsley has made it official, announcing she filed to run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018. Grimsley, who told FloridaPolitics.com in January she was eyeing a run, filed her statement of candidacy with the Division of Elections. She is vying to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who can’t run again because of term limits. “Florida […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam agrees with Gov. Rick Scott that Florida’s next governor should have “business experience.” “I think someone having business experience that they bring to public life is very helpful,” said Putnam, who spoke to reporters after a speech at Tuesday’s Associated Press annual Legislative Session planning session at the Capitol. In a recent […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2017

Clay Hollis and Andrew Liebert are joining the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Thursday that Hollis would serve as the director of external affairs, while Liebert will serve as the deputy legislative affairs director. “Clay and Andrew are both great additions to our team, and their professional experience will […]

Associated PressJanuary 25, 2017

Attorneys representing Broward County homeowners are demanding the state pay a $20 million judgment for tearing down healthy citrus trees in a failed attempt to eradicate citrus canker. The legal battle could set a precedent that might spread to four other counties and increase the final bill to $200 million. The attorneys filed a motion […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 18, 2017

Add state Senator Denise Grimsley to the growing list of Florida politicos thinking about 2018. The Sebring Republican said Tuesday that she is considering a 2018 run for Agriculture Commissioner. A registered nurse and hospital administrator, Grimsley said in a interview via text message that agriculture has always played a big role in her life. “It’s a big […]

Tag: Adam Putnam
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Paul Paulson seeds state Ag Commissioner campaign with $120K

More bad news as Florida orange crop drops again

Francis Rooney says he’s not considering 2018 gubernatorial bid

Politics, food and fun: Florida State Fair kicks off

Adam Putnam to business leaders: ‘Florida has come too far to turn back now’

Denise Grimsley running for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018

Adam Putnam agrees: Business experience essential for governor’s job

Personnel note: Clay Hollis, Andrew Liebert join Department of Agriculture

Broward homeowners demand state pay for felled citrus trees

Denise Grimsley eyeing Agriculture Commissioner run in 2018