Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 15, 2016

As he gets ready to “go home,” as departing legislators like to say, outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner has no regrets or hard feelings. He did have choice words regarding lobbyists for gambling concerns, however: They “just get greedy.” Gardiner, an opponent of gambling expansion, recently sat down with Capital Correspondent Jim Rosica for an “exit interview.” He leaves office later this […]

Scott PowersApril 27, 2016

Most of Central Florida’s Republicans in the Florida House of Representatives made a joint endorsement Tuesday of Dean Asher in the Orlando-based Florida Senate District 13 race. Asher announced the endorsements Tuesday from state Reps. Mike Miller of Winter Park, Rene Plasencia of Orlando, Eric Eisnaugle of Orlando, Bob Cortes of Altamonte Springs, Jason Brodeur of Sanford, […]

Scott PowersApril 26, 2016

At an industry-sponsored summit in Orlando Tuesday, outgoing Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and the leader of one of Florida’s biggest hospital system both called for urgent help in providing more access to health care. But not through Medicaid. Gardiner, an Orlando Republican, and Lars Houmann, president of the Florida Division of Adventist Health System, […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2016

It’s official: The nearly 40-year-old mural outside the Florida Senate chambers will be taken down. In a letter, Senate President Andy Gardiner said the mural will be preserved, however, for viewing elsewhere. It’ll be stored till then. The letter was sent last Tuesday to Jeff Howell, the Republican Party of Florida treasurer. Howell, a Tallahassee attorney, […]

Staff ReportsApril 13, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a pared down tax package Wednesday, holding a bill signing ceremony in Jacksonville. Among other things, the bill permanently eliminates the sales tax charged on manufacturing equipment. It also creates a three-day back-to-school tax holiday. That tax holiday runs from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7. Randy Miller, president and CEO […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2016

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Allison Aubuchon, communications pro for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, decided it’s time to make it on her own. Aubuchon announced Wednesday that, after four years with the conservative education think tank founded by Jeb Bush, she will be hanging her shingle as an independent communications expert. “I will now be working independently as a communications […]

Scott PowersApril 12, 2016

Camille Gardiner‘s continuing but unannounced interest in running for the Florida Senate to succeed her term-limited husband, Senate President Andy Gardiner, has haunted his longtime friend Dean Asher, the only Republican in the race. Asher, an Orlando Republican, got into the Senate District 13 race last November without Gardiner’s support, but with, Asher said, the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2016

Carlos Lopez-Cantera has snagged the support Senate President Andy Gardiner. The Orlando Republican announced Tuesday he was endorsing Lopez-Cantera in the U.S. Senate race. The endorsement comes about a week after House Speaker Steve Crisafulli threw his support behind the lieutenant governor. “In Florida, Carlos has been a leader in limiting government’s influence into the […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2016

A mentally ill inmate who was in protective custody was found dead at the Columbia Correctional Institution on Tuesday, a day after a corrections officer was hospitalized in an attack. It’s yet another black mark on Florida’s prison system, one that many say is overcrowded and underfunded. The Department of Corrections, though, insists those issues had nothing […]

Scott PowersApril 7, 2016

Outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner conceded Thursday that the presidential election, the possible “Trump effect,” and other issues likely will lead to Democrats making gains in the Florida Legislature elections this fall. Gardiner, an Orlando Republican, told the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida that he is confident the GOP will retain its majority in […]

Tag: Andy Gardiner

Peter Schorsch: From the ‘gambling boys’ to (un)popularity contests

Central Florida Republican lawmakers endorse Dean Asher in SD 13 race

Andy Gardiner, Lars Houmann, call for more health care access, but not Medicaid

Senate mural will be saved, but removed from Capitol

Capitol Reax: Rick Scott signs tax cut package

Allison Aubuchon to hang out own shingle, start new communications shop

Camille Gardiner’s potential candidacy haunts Dean Asher’s efforts to succeed Andy Gardiner in SD 13

Andy Gardiner endorses Carlos Lopez-Cantera for U.S. Senate

Jeff Brandes say his next focus will be on reforming Florida prison system

Andy Gardiner expects Democrats to make some gains in 2016 state elections