Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 14, 2018

From karaoke to ballroom dancing to ice sculpting, the hobbies of Florida’s legislators are legion. A Florida Politics reporter recently noticed and tweeted that Rep. Carlos G. Smith, an Orlando Democrat, listed but one “recreational interest,” karaoke, on his legislative info page. That sparked a number of responses on social media last week. TCPalm reporter […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2018

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto‘s re-election campaign announced 20 endorsements from local elected officials in his battle with former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for the Democratic primary in Florida’s 9th Congressional District. The endorsements came from state Sen. Victor Torres; state Reps. John Cortes, Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Kamia Brown; Kissimmee Mayor José Alvarez; Lake Wales […]

Scott PowersMay 10, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham expressed disgust toward Democratic rival Andrew Gillum Thursday after an outside group backing Gillum launched an attack ad against Graham. Graham’s response includes a reminder that Gillum had previously expressed a warning about “dark money” coming into the gubernatorial race, and she called him out on allowing dark money to attack […]

Drew WilsonMay 7, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham opened a new campaign headquarters in Orlando Saturday. “This is just thrilling. I’m so excited to officially be a resident of Orlando. Central Florida is at the heart of our 67-county strategy,” Graham said, “After 20 years of Republican dominance, we face so many challenges. That’s why I’m running for […]

Scott PowersApril 17, 2018

Warning that Florida may be in violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state Sen. Victor Torres on Tuesday led a group of eight mostly-Hispanic Democratic lawmakers in urging Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner to respond to reports that some Florida counties are not providing Spanish-language elections materials. Torres and the others wrote to […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2018

An attempt by Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith to get the state to provide $1 million to help build a Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando drew some crossover votes from Republicans (including many from Central Florida) but failed in the House Tuesday night. The proposed amendment, which would have added $1 million for […]

Scott PowersMarch 3, 2018

What are progressive Democrats to do when faced with an omnibus school safety and guns bill that has a few things they like but doesn’t have any of the major provisions they’ve insisted on, and also includes something that they worry might be a poison pill? Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado […]

Peter SchorschMarch 3, 2018

Three Central Florida Democrats will continue their efforts to curb gun violence on Saturday as lawmakers continue to grapple with the post-Parkland political environment. Linda Stewart will renew her push of an assault weapons ban during a rare Saturday floor session of the Florida Senate, while state Reps. Amy Mercado and Carlos Smith will host a gun safety roundtable with […]

Scott PowersFebruary 13, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith picked up his campaign-fundraising pace in early January for his 2018 re-election effort in Florida House District 49, bringing in nearly $24,000 even as his only opponent dropped out of the race. Smith, of Orlando, reported that his campaign raised $23,838 in the first eight days of January prior […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 31, 2018

On the first day of FEMA’s ending of new supply shipments to Puerto Rico, some legislators highlighted the need for Florida to provide support for the islanders displaced by Hurricane Maria. A large group of Puerto Rican advocates gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday at a press conference hosted by VAMOS4PR, a network that supports […]

Tag: Amy Mercado
Image via AP.

Lawmakers’ hobbies amuse and confuse on social media

Darren Soto announces 20 local endorsements in CD 9 race

Gwen Graham calls out Andrew Gillum over dark money after new outside attack ad

Gwen Graham opens campaign HQ in Orlando

Victor Torres leads effort demanding Spanish materials in Florida elections offices

Carlos Smith’s $1M Pulse memorial amendment draws some Republicans, but fails

Amy Mercado, Carlos Smith hear opinions on schools and guns bill

Linda Stewart to try again for assault weapons ban

Carlos Smith tops Orange County legislative candidates, raising $23K

Lawmakers stress state’s need to support Puerto Ricans