Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2016

Billionaire New York Democratic campaign financier George Soros‘s interest topped $1.7 million in Central Florida politics and $1.8 million statewide this year as he financed independent campaigns that helped three Democrats win local or state legislative races while three others he backed lost. Soros’ biggest investment came early, backing Aramis Ayala to the tune of $1.38 […]

Scott PowersNovember 23, 2016

As Orlandoans gather round dinner tables with family and close friends, let us start by being thankful that those of us who can be are there to gather. Let’s give thanks for a community that found comfort, faith, and strength in each others arms during the dawn following our darkest day, and for the commitment […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Tuesday night’s election was just a formality, but now it has become official: upstart Democratic candidate Aramis Ayala of Orlando was elected state attorney in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit, making her the first African-American state attorney in Florida’s history. Ayala effectively won the race when she upset incumbent Jeff Ashton in the Democratic primary in August because there were […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2016

Billionaire George Soros is investing heavily in Central Florida, backing several down-ballot races with support for Democratic candidates Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel reports Soros, a well-known champion of liberal causes, spent $430,000 on United for Progress PAC for mailers and paid TV ads in a variety of races — from U.S. House to […]

Scott PowersAugust 30, 2016

Aramis Ayala stunned incumbent State Attorney Jeff Ashton Tuesday night in the Democratic primary to all but win election to the post in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit, covering Orange and Osceola counties. Ayala pummeled Ashton 57 percent to 43 percent in a race in which just a month ago she still was a relative unknown […]

Scott PowersAugust 18, 2016

Democrats Hillary Clinton, Darren Soto and Val Demings and Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio all won commanding straw poll victories at Tuesday night’s Political Salsa event in Orlando, organizers announced late Wednesday. Clinton got 49 to Republican Donald Trump‘s 39 percent in the presidential question, with Libertarian Gary Johnson grabbing 8 percent and Green Party […]

Scott PowersAugust 17, 2016

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Democratic candidates running in Central Florida for the Florida Legislature are making the Zika threat to Florida their next big reason to push for Medicaid expansion and protection of women’s health centers. At the annual “Political Salsa” hobnob and debate forum in the heart of Orlando’s Puerto Rican east side, dozens of local, state and […]

Scott PowersAugust 10, 2016

A political action committee associated with George Soros has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on television commercials and other advertising to get Aramis Ayala elected state attorney in the Orlando-based 9th Judicial Circuit. Florida Safety & Justice, which shares the “Safety & Justice” name and its chairwoman, Whitney Tymas, with other Soros-funded political committees, […]

Scott PowersJuly 15, 2016

Have voters anywhere in Florida ever elected an African-American state attorney? Aramis Ayala suspects she has a chance to be first, which would be late-coming, trailblazing history in Florida if she were to upset incumbent Jeff Ashton for the 9th Judicial Circuit post serving Orange and Osceola Counties. Ayala, 41, a former prosecutor in the […]

Scott PowersMay 12, 2016

Political newcomer Aramis Ayala is giving incumbent 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jeff Ashton a run for the money in the race to represent the state in Orange and Osceola counties’ courts. Ayala reported raising $11,140 in April, giving her a two-month haul of $26,240, with about half of that left over in the bank. […]

Tag: Aramis Ayala
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George Soros spends $1.8 million in Florida local races; backs four winners, two losers

Orlando’s cornucopia of thanks runneth over for area leaders

Aramis Ayala becomes first black state attorney in Florida’s history

George Soros Democratic support extends to down-ballot Central Florida races

Aramis Ayala unseats Jeff Ashton to win JC9 state attorney

Political Salsa: Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio, Darren Soto, Val Demings win straw poll

Political Salsa in Orlando: Dems tie Zika to Medicaid expansion, women’s health

George Soros-related PAC spending big to elect Aramis Ayala as state attorney

Aramis Ayala’s 9th Judicial Circuit state attorney run could be historic

Aramis Ayala giving Jeff Ashton a run for the money in 9th Circuit state attorney race