Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2015

Republican Senate District 13 candidate Dean Asher added to his fundraising lead in October, raising $55,250 between his campaign account and political committee. The Orlando area Realtor brought in $5,250 through his campaign account, which finished the month with just under $149,000 cash on-hand. Allegiant Friends for Florida, his political committee, posted the other $50,000 […]

Peter SchorschNovember 9, 2015

The state Senate’s Republican members will meet Dec. 2 to formally select state Sen. Joe Negron as Senate President-designate for the 2016-18 Legislative Term. Senate President Andy Gardiner announced the move in a Monday press release, making official what FloridaPolitics.com first reported last week: That state Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, had ceded the race to […]

Jim RosicaNovember 5, 2015

The Florida Legislature became the little engine that couldn’t on Thursday, failing to agree on a new map redrawing the state Senate districts after three weeks of trying in a Special Session. This makes three out of four legislative sessions this year that ended in discord, this time in a redistricting session that itself likely […]

Peter SchorschNovember 5, 2015

The bitter race between Jack Latvala and Joe Negron for the Florida Senate presidency has come to an end. “I am withdrawing from the race for Senate President,” said Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, in an exclusive to FloridaPolitics.com. “I am supporting Joe Negron for Senate President.” The deal for Latvala? “I will be Appropriations Chairman,” […]

Gary FineoutNovember 5, 2015

Setting up another contentious budget battle, Florida Gov. Rick Scott was expected Thursday to call for $1 billion in tax cuts, most of it targeted at businesses. Scott’s is recommending the hefty amount despite signs that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will resist going along with such a large tax cut package. Scott, however, will argue […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2015

A trio of bills that would help disabled Floridians find employment and manage their personal finances cleared their Senate committee stops Tuesday, all with unanimous votes. The bills – SB 376, SB 388 and SB 7010 – are collectively known as the “cradle to career pathway” in the upper chamber, an initiative aimed at improving […]

Jim RosicaOctober 29, 2015

A band of “concerned citizens” – including the Republican Party of Florida’s treasurer – is asking Senate President Andy Gardiner to save the decades-old mural that greets visitors to the chamber’s public gallery. Earlier this month, Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta said the mural will be removed from the wall because it’s showing signs of age, including fading and peeling. […]

Gary FineoutOctober 29, 2015

Amid an ugly political brawl in which one senator publicly accused another of being a bully, the Florida Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved a new map for the state’s 40 senate districts. But some senators predicted shortly after the 22-18 vote that the proposal may not pass the Republican-controlled Florida House. That’s because the Senate […]

Peter SchorschOctober 26, 2015

Welcome A-Schorsch! After a week at sea aboard the Disney Fantasy, I am tanned, rested and ready to return to writing about the Florida politics. Here are 10 things I think I think about the latest political news from the Sunshine State. Hillary Clinton pretty much locked up the Democratic nomination — Biden not in. Benghazi […]

Drew WilsonOctober 23, 2015

An independent business group said Thursday it will endorse Republican candidate Dean Asher in the Senate District 13 race. The National Federation of Independent Businesses, which represents 325,000 small-business owners, announced their support and presented the Orlando-area real estate broker and former Florida Realtors president with a check during a luncheon Thursday. “NFIB represents every […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner
Ben Wikler in Orlando. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

SD 13 candidate Dean Asher boosts fundraising lead with $55K in October

Joe Negron to be formally voted Senate President next month

Senate votes down redistricting map, ending Special Session

Jack Latvala ends Senate presidency bid, will support Joe Negron, and be Appropriations chief

Despite resistance, Rick Scott wants $1 billion in tax cuts

Senate committee approves 3 “cradle to career” bills

Concern grows over removal of Senate mural

What’s next after Florida Senate narrowly approves new Senate map

Back from vacation, here are 10 things I think I think about Florida politics

Independent business group endorses Dean Asher in SD 13 race