Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 17, 2016

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Democratic candidates running in Central Florida for the Florida Legislature are making the Zika threat to Florida their next big reason to push for Medicaid expansion and protection of women’s health centers. At the annual “Political Salsa” hobnob and debate forum in the heart of Orlando’s Puerto Rican east side, dozens of local, state and […]

Scott PowersAugust 8, 2016

Susannah Randolph is the only Central Florida congressional candidate to get endorsed by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida and Rick Roach the only Florida Senate candidate from the Orlando area. The group also endorsed both Florida House Democrats running in the House District 48 race, Amy Mercado and Alex Barrio; and also backed Carlos Guillermo […]

Peter SchorschJuly 12, 2016

More than 300 candidates are running for the 160 seats in the Florida House and Senate. And, try as we will, FloridaPolitics.com won’t be able to interview them all. So we are asking every candidate, including incumbents, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they […]

Scott PowersJuly 5, 2016

Democrat Amy Mercado increased her cash advantage in the primary contest with Alex Barrio for the Kissimmee-based House District 48 seat. Mercado reported raising $6,250 in the period ending June 24 and spent just $2,753, mostly on consultants, while Barrio raised $3,045 but spent $6,679, mostly on staff and consultants, in the 24-day period. Consequently, […]

Scott PowersJune 24, 2016

In what has been a frantic last day of filing and qualifying for Florida House of Representatives, Republican state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle of Windermere appears to have won re-election in House District 44. More than five hours after the close of qualifying, Eisnaugle’s anticipated Democratic opponent, David Trotter of Orlando, has not qualified. If that holds […]

Peter SchorschJune 17, 2016

The frontrunners in many Central Florida legislative races piled on more money last month, with several candidates holding six-figure leads five months out from Election Day. In Senate District 13, the most competitive race among Orange County’s Senate seats, former Democratic Rep. Mike Clelland is trouncing the other two Democrats in the race with more […]

Scott PowersJune 7, 2016

Democrats Henry Lim and Clint Curtis made clear during a debate Tuesday night that House District 47 voters have a clear choice between someone not eager to compromise and someone who thinks its the best way for Democrats to be effective. The two paired off in the first of two debates focusing on education and […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2016

Democratic candidates of Florida House Districts 47 and 48 will meet in debates June 7 in a forum sponsored by the Young Democrats of Orange County. The debate, featuring four of the five Democrats running in those districts, will take place at the Barry University School of Law, 6441 E. Colonial Drive, from 6 to […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2016

In a contest to succeed her father, Democrat Amy Mercado raised $8,800 in April, sending a financial counterpunch toward Democratic primary challenger Alex Barrio, who entered the race in March and quickly outperformed her on the fundraising circuit. Mercado’s April, her best month yet, along with $2,432 in expenditures, left her with $11,580 in the […]

Ryan RayApril 11, 2016

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Alex Barrio leapfrogged his opponent Amy Mercado in a heated Democratic primary for an Orlando-area state House race last month, according to newly released campaign finance data. Barrio, who announced a run to succeed Rep. Victor Torres in HD 48 last month, raised $12,104 during the reporting period covering March 1 to March 31. Mercado raised $5,658, raising her […]

Tag: Amy Mercado
Biden in Tampa. Screenshot via PBS.

Political Salsa in Orlando: Dems tie Zika to Medicaid expansion, women’s health

Susannah Randolph, Rick Roach get progressive Democrats’ backing

Meet Amy Mercado, Democrat running for Florida House District 48

Amy Mercado building cash advantage in HD 48 race

Eric Eisnaugle wins another term in busy Central Florida House race filings

Where s**t stands in Central Florida legislative races

Democrats Henry Lim and Clint Curtis battle sharply in HD 47 debate

Young Dems set up Florida House debates in Orlando

Amy Mercado has best financial April in HD 48 race

Democrat Alex Barrio jumps out to fundraising lead in HD 48