Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 23, 2018

After watching the county’s biggest tax incentives package turn into its biggest economic development bust, Orange County on Tuesday began in-depth deliberations with at least two and possibly more players offering to salvage a heavily-subsidized Lake Nona biomedical research laboratory that is soon to be departed by Sanford Burnham Prebys. On Tuesday the Orange County […]

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2017

Nicole Hagerty is joining the 2018 Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (FRSCC) in-house Finance Team as Director of Finance, Senate President-designate Bill Galvano said in an email. The FRSCC is the main fundraising panel supporting GOP state Senate campaigns. Also, Kelly Schmidt is becoming Deputy Director of Finance and Matthew Yost will be Director of Member Fundraising, Galvano said. They will work with Nancy […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

After 36 years in law enforcement including stints as Orlando police chief, Orange County public safety director, and his current post as sheriff, Jerry Demings announced Friday he’s ready to take on the entire county as mayor, pledging public safety, smart growth, and “community bonding” as his platform. Demings, 58, joined his wife Democratic U.S. […]

Peter SchorschJune 30, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron aced the 2017 Legislative Session when it comes to school choice, said an organization founded by former Gov. Jeb Bush. Foundation for Florida’s Future gave both Republican lawmakers an “A+” this year and included both on their “honor roll,” which the group says, “recognizes the legislative […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2017

The General abides. With lawmakers taking no action this year, a bronze statue of a Confederate general representing Florida shall remain indefinitely in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Two competing bills died this Legislative Session. One called for a likeness of educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith. […]

Gary FineoutMay 23, 2017

Debby Dawson, who lives in southwest Florida, has a simple message to Gov. Rick Scott: The state’s existing scholarship program for disabled children is “life changing” and has helped her 7-year-old autistic son “develop by leaps and bounds.” Dawson is part of a chorus of parents from around the state who have mounted a campaign […]

Scott PowersMay 1, 2017

As the future race for Orange County mayor continues to be a mystery involving potential major candidates still thinking about it but none yet committing, one name that keeps coming up raises questions of precedent and interpretation of curious language differences in the county charter. Former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, who served two-plus terms […]

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2017

Recounting an impressive list of achievements spanning four decades, veteran lawmaker Jack Latvala seems to have done it all: an effective Florida senator and political consultant, a self-described “environmentally-conscious” Republican and the proud father to state Rep. Chris Latvala. The Clearwater senator, chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, recently sat down with FloridaPolitics.com’s Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster […]

Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2017

Momentum remains strong in Tallahassee for the first bill in Florida to regulate ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the proposal (SB 340) unanimously without debate. The bill, sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, would require ride-sharing companies to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property […]

Scott PowersMarch 14, 2017

A social media campaign to draft Anna Eskamani to run for Orange County mayor is catching steam on Facebook and has convinced at least one major potential mayoral candidate to declare he won’t run because he’d rather back her – Bob Poe. Eskamani, a 26-year-old Orlando Democrat who is director of external affairs for Planned […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner

Orange County opens to proposals to salvage from Sanford Burnham center

Personnel note: Nicole Hagerty on board at FRSCC

Jerry Demings launches mayoral campaign pledging public safety, smart growth, ‘community bonding’

Jeb Bush foundation issues legislative grades; aces for Richard Corcoran, Joe Negron

With no legislative action, Confederate statue remains in U.S. Capitol

Fate of program for disabled children rests with Rick Scott

As Orange County mayor’s race awaits major candidates, can Rich Crotty run again?

INFLUENCE Magazine talks with Jack Latvala on life, political success and ‘what he’s learned’

Senate Judiciary Committee gives big win for ridesharing regulation

Draft-Anna Eskamani for Orange Mayor movement draws Bob Poe backing