Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 13, 2018

Former federal officer George Chandler of Orlando has been picked by the Orange County Republican Party to be the replacement candidate to run for the Florida House of Representatives in House District 48. Chandler, 62, of Orlando, is the county Republican’s choice as the replacement candidate for Scotland Calhoun, who initially filed in June to […]

Scott PowersAugust 9, 2018

Three Democratic Orange County lawmakers joined with the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association Thursday to bash Republican Gov. Rick Scott‘s record on public education. Outside the offices of the Orange County Public Schools headequarters in Orlando, State Sen. Victor Torres and state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado all went after the governor for […]

Scott PowersAugust 8, 2018

The Orange County Republican Executive Committee has opened up for potential candidates to come forward to replace Scotland Calhoun, who withdrew late Friday from her challenge of state Rep. Amy Mercado for the Florida House District 51 seat. Orange REC Chair Charles Hart said Wednesday he has circulated notices Wednesday to county Republicans and REC […]

Scott PowersAugust 6, 2018

Republican Scotland Calhoun has dropped out of Orange County’s House District 48 race. Calhoun’s name was listed Monday morning as withdrawn in the Florida Division of Elections database, though no withdrawal letter had yet been posted among her candidacy documents. However, concerns have circulated about her age, which would make her ineligible to be seated as […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 27, 2018

Several state Democrats have come together via joint statements to remind Floridians of Gov. Rick Scott‘s intervention in a 2017 push to repeal and replace Obamacare, which ultimately never materialized. The unified effort — featuring state lawmakers Reps. Amy Mercado and Shevrin Jones, along with Sens. Lori Berman and José Javier Rodríguez — comes as Scott vies to […]

Scott PowersJuly 23, 2018

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association PAC has endorsed Jerry Demings for Orange County mayor, Teresa Jacobs for Orange County School Board chair, and dozens of other candidates for state and local offices in Central Florida. “With a record-breaking 72 million visitors to the Orlando destination, Central Florida’s Hospitality Industry continues to serve as […]

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Scott PowersJune 22, 2018

Ten seats in Central Florida’s portion of the Florida House of Representatives will have primaries on August 28, with four Republican and six Democratic in-party battles set by Friday’s ballot qualifying. The big primary battles among Republicans are preparing for two open seats now held by Republicans, and among the Democrats for four places where […]

Drew WilsonMay 15, 2018

Contributions were sparse in April for five Central Florida lawmakers who are still unopposed in their re-election 2018 bids – Democratic Reps. Bruce Antone, Kamia Brown, John Cortes, Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith. Of the five, Brown posted the best report last month. She showed $5,485 in contributions, which brings her to-date fundraising total […]

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 […]

Tag: Amy Mercado

Orange Republicans pick George Chandler to run in HD 48

Victor Torres, Carlos Smith, Amy Mercado rip Rick Scott on education

Orange Co. Republicans seeking replacement to run against Amy Mercado

Scotland Calhoun withdraws from HD 48 race

Happy Anniversary: Democrats jeer Rick Scott one year after failed GOP health care plan

Central Florida hoteliers pick Jerry Demings, Teresa Jacobs

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

Ten Central Florida house seats set for primaries August 28

Light fundraising month for Orange County’s unopposed House incumbents

Lawmakers’ hobbies amuse and confuse on social media