Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2016

A top plaintiffs’ insurance lawyer is lauding Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty‘s offer to extend his departure, which was originally set for May 2. McCarty “staying on until a replacement is named is a massive blessing,” said Chip Merlin of the Merlin Law Group in Tampa. Merlin has built a business out of suing insurance companies that “deny, delay or underpay property […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2016

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Kevin McCarty is telling his bosses: You need more time? You got it. The state’s outgoing Insurance Commissioner on Wednesday wrote separate but identical letters to Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. He said he would delay his departure to “45 days after my successor […]

Scott PowersApril 11, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala‘s political action committee Florida Leadership Committee raised $113,357 during the month of March, far more than any other lawmaker’s or candidate’s leadership PAC. Florida Leadership Committee trailed only Gov. Rick Scott‘s Let’s Get To Work, which raised $248,000, and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s Florida Grown, which raised $126,250, during the month, […]

Jim RosicaApril 8, 2016

Faced with a call from Florida’s leading growers for the state’s Department of Citrus to “be scaled back considerably,” Gov. Rick Scott has put restrictions on the nearly $7.7 million in general revenue given to the agency in the 2016-17 state budget. One condition, The Lakeland Ledger reported Friday, is that the Governor’s Office will look […]

Jim RosicaApril 1, 2016

Come to Zolfo Springs for the barbecue; stay to listen to the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s political committee, “Florida Grown,” is hosting the annual “Friends of Florida Agriculture Barbecue” on Saturday, at Peace River Valley Ranch in Hardee County. The ranch is about a five-hour drive from Tallahassee, an hour and a half […]

Staff ReportsMarch 22, 2016

Floridians now can schedule an appointment online to apply for a concealed weapon license, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Tuesday. “The new scheduling feature is only available to those seeking their initial concealed weapon license,” said a news release from his office. “Consumers can still apply for a concealed weapon license via mail, but a scheduled appointment […]

Jac VerSteegMarch 21, 2016

Marco Rubio was convinced the Fratricide Model of politics was his ticket to the top. Now, after one brilliant win and one spectacular loss, the Florida senator claims to have renounced the model. He will not, he says, run for governor in 2018. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam need not fear a Rubio challenge. We […]

Jac VerSteegMarch 20, 2016

Marco Rubio was convinced the Fratricide Model of politics was his ticket to the top. Now, after one brilliant win and one spectacular loss, the Florida senator claims to have renounced the model. He will not, he says, run for governor in 2018. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam need not fear a Rubio challenge. We […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 17, 2016

Feel like a barbecue? Want to meet Republican U.S. Senate candidates? If so, a Florida Grown event next month is the place to be. Florida Grown, the fundraising committee that will likely fuel Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s 2018 gubernatorial bid, is hosting a Friends of Florida Agriculture barbecue on April 2. The event will is […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

With the 2016 Legislative Session in the books, the Florida Retail Federation said Friday that Florida’s 270,000 retail businesses have plenty of reasons to celebrate. The trade group said “a number of positive retail-specific bills” made it through the House and Senate and their impact will be felt at “pharmacies, grocers, convenience stores, restaurants, law […]

Tag: Adam Putnam
Image via AP.

Chip Merlin calls Kevin McCarty’s departure delay a ‘massive blessing’

In letter, Kevin McCarty says he’s willing to extend departure date

Jack Latvala’s Florida Leadership Committee raises $113,357

Rick Scott clamping down on finances at state citrus agency

Adam Putnam to host U.S. Senate candidates this weekend

Appointments to apply for concealed carry permits now can be done online

Jac VerSteeg: Political fratricide model fails Marco Rubio

Jac VerSteeg: Political fratricide model fails Marco Rubio

Adam Putnam to be honored at Friends of Florida Agriculture BBQ

Tax holiday, skimmer laws give Florida Retail Federation plenty of Session cheer