Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

The daughter of Israeli citizens, Erica Chanti grew up in the Miami-Dade village of Pinecrest, where she says her parents always encouraged her to volunteer with community organization. “When I was a teenager, my mom would secretly sign me up for volunteer opportunities and announce them in front of a large group of people so […]

Mitch PerryOctober 15, 2015

Among the assets that still make Jeb Bush a formidable general election candidate is his ease and connection with the Latino community, something that no other Republican brings to the table. Illustrating that connection is the Bush campaign’s announcement on Thursday of his Hispanic leadership committee, consisting of 228 people spread out over 20 states, as […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 8, 2015

In a flurry of political activity, several no-party-affiliated candidates filed in South Florida House and Senate seats during the long holiday weekend. Each candidate is associated with a group pushing to reform the Department of Children and Families and the state’s family court system. Mercedes Cristian, the founder of Fundación Lideres de Paz, an organization that […]

Drew WilsonAugust 31, 2015

No-party candidate Arthur Sosa filed to run against Rep. Frank Artiles Monday, giving the incumbent legislator a third opponent for 2016. Sosa is running as part of the VoteFamily platform, which has a laser focus on reforming the Department of Children and Families. He is the second candidate from the group to file after Mario Jimenez, who […]

Phil AmmannAugust 27, 2015

Mission: NEXT, Jeb Bush’s NASA-inspired bundler program for young Republicans, lands in Miami next month for a fundraising reception hosted by Jeb Bush, Jr. The event, which focuses on donors under 40, begins 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 24 at American Social, 690 SW 1st Court in Miami. Evening reception tickets start at $250 – with […]

Peter SchorschAugust 26, 2015

State Senator Joe Negron this morning upped the ante in the poker game to be President of the Florida Senate in 2016-18 by releasing the names of his colleagues who have pledged their support to him. Unfortunately for Negron, this latest ploy will likely fall flat. Claiming that he has the support of “Senators who […]

Phil AmmannJuly 23, 2015

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott took the time to highlight Florida’s fight against human trafficking with a ceremonial bill signing of four bills to raise protect survivors and set harsher penalties for exploitation of victims. “While Florida has a 44-year crime low,” Scott said at the Citrus Health Network Family Medical Center in Hialeah, “even one victim […]

Phil AmmannJuly 20, 2015

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With a hat-tip to LobbyTools, here is latest on who is on and who is off the legislative staffing merry-go-round. Off: Jay Ferrin has left his position as legislative analyst for the Senate Majority Office. Off: Chase Daniels has left his position as legislative assistant for state Sen. Charlie Dean. On: Drew Aldikacti is the […]

Staff ReportsJune 11, 2015

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Thursday in Leon County Circuit Court to stop Florida’s new 24-hour waiting period on abortions from taking effect. The lawsuit was filed less than 24 hours after Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law. “It’s clear that the sole purpose of this law is to make […]

Guest AuthorMay 18, 2015

Anonymity and pseudonymity have been key threads in the fabric of American life since the Colonial era. From arts to politics, from the Revolutionary era-tracts known as Cato’s Letters to the street art of the elusive Banksy, there is a long tradition, respected in practice and protected by the First Amendment, of publishing or distributing […]

Tag: Anitere Flores
Treasure coins from the 1715 fleet wreck. Image via FWC.

Meet Erica Chanti, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Jeb Bush announces 228-member Hispanic Leadership Committee

Several NPA candidates file in South Florida races over Labor Day weekend

Frank Artiles draws NPA candidate in 2016 House re-election campaign

Jeb Bush’s “Mission: NEXT” bundler program lands in Miami Sept. 24

Sorry, Joe Negron, but this latest ploy for Senate Presidency is weak sauce

Gov. Scott highlights human trafficking fight with four new Florida laws

The latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

After legislative battle comes legal battle on abortion

R.J. Lehmann: Copyright lobby seeks new hammer to pound free speech in Florida