Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Larry GriffinJanuary 17, 2017

In front of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio‘s office Tuesday morning, Sen. Victor Torres and Reps. Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith called on Rubio to protect the state’s immigrant population – especially those not here legally. Their message was that time is of the essence – now that the Donald Trump administration is just days away […]

Scott PowersDecember 12, 2016

While no one from Central Florida will be chairing full committees in the Florida House of Representatives this spring, several local representatives will be chairing key subcommittees, Health Care Appropriations, Tourism & Gaming Control, and Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs. The committee appointments came down Monday from House Speaker Richard Corcoran. State Rep. Mike La […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith — two former chairs of the Orange County Democrats — will be entering the Florida House of Representatives after easy victories over independent candidates Tuesday. Mercado replaces her father, Victor Torres, in representing Florida House District 48. Torres was elected to the Florida Senate Tuesday in Senate District 15. Smith wins Florida […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2016

Democrats are still in a strong position for Orlando’s three Senate seats, with Republican Realtor Dean Asher still the only candidate standing in the way of a clean sweep. Asher raised another $25,775 for his campaign account and $5,000 for his committee, “Allegiant Friends For Florida,” during the Oct. 22 through Nov. 3 reporting period, […]

Scott PowersNovember 5, 2016

Is it Hillary Clinton or the whole women’s and feminist movement at the top of the Democrats’ ticket on Tuesday? A rally in Orlando Saturday – part of a statewide bus tour full of women’s movement and feminist leaders – offered the suggestion that there are such stark differences in attitudes, rhetoric, histories, and policy […]

Peter SchorschNovember 1, 2016

New campaign finance reports are in and Democrats are still holding strong in two of Orlando’s three Senate seats, though Republican Realtor Dean Asher is still in a strong position in the Senate District 13 race. Asher added another $25,000 to his campaign account and spent just $5,500, leaving him with a little over $92,000 […]

Staff ReportsOctober 25, 2016

There’s a strong possibility Democrats could sweep all three Orlando Senate seats, though Republican Dean Asher is still far ahead in the Senate District 13 money race. The Orlando Realtor brought in another $11,250 between Oct. 8 and Oct. 14 and spent about $69,000, leaving his campaign with about $73,000 on hand. His committee, “Allegiant […]

Scott PowersAugust 30, 2016

State Rep. Victor Torres has held off a challenge from a Kissimmee businessman to win the Democratic primary for Florida’s Senate District 15. “The people did it,” Torres said Tuesday night. “They came out to vote. Big numbers. I am most heartily grateful to them [especially] with this weather.” A retired police detective and bus […]

Peter SchorschAugust 28, 2016

The final campaign finance reports before Florida’s Aug. 30 Primary Election are in and Victor Torres, Randolph Bracy, and Mike Clelland have held on to their leads in Central Florida’s Senate seats. Clelland is facing fellow former Rep. Linda Stewart and Rick Roach in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 13, and he was able to raise another $83,775 across his campaign and […]

Scott PowersAugust 18, 2016

Democrats Hillary Clinton, Darren Soto and Val Demings and Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio all won commanding straw poll victories at Tuesday night’s Political Salsa event in Orlando, organizers announced late Wednesday. Clinton got 49 to Republican Donald Trump‘s 39 percent in the presidential question, with Libertarian Gary Johnson grabbing 8 percent and Green Party […]

Tag: Amy Mercado

Central Florida House members call on Marco Rubio to protect illegal immigrants

Central Florida reps pleased with tourism, health care subcommittee chairs

Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith win Florida House seats

Final round-up of the money race in Central Florida’s legislative races

Women’s groups see Hillary Clinton having skirt-tails to help Stephanie Murphy, other women

Here’s where the money chase stands in Orlando’s legislative races

Here’s where sh*t stands in Orlando’s legislative races

Victor Torres cruises to victory in SD 15 Democratic primary

Central Florida legislative fundraising leaders stay ahead in days before primary

Political Salsa: Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio, Darren Soto, Val Demings win straw poll