Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 13, 2016

The issue of school choice and vouchers is a touchy one for Democrats. In the Democratic Party platform completed last weekend in Orlando, it declares support for “high-quality public charter schools” and opposition to “for-profit charter schools focused on making a profit off of public resources.” The national NAACP, however, is against public support for school choice AND vouchers, saying it takes […]

Drew WilsonJuly 11, 2016

Democratic Rep. Ed Narain announced Monday that Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Lesley “Les” Miller has endorsed his bid for the District 19 seat in the Florida Senate. “I’ve known Ed Narain since he was a student leader at the University of South Florida and now as state representative,” said Miller, who himself served 14 years […]

Mitch PerryJuly 9, 2016

When he announced his candidacy for Senate District 19 last month, St. Petersburg based attorney Augie Ribiero said he was convinced he should enter the contest after he came away uninspired by hearing fellow Democrats Ed Narain, Darryl Rouson and Betty Reed speak at a candidates forum in south St. Pete. He doubled down on those comments in the past week in an […]

Mitch PerryJune 10, 2016

Tampa state house Representative Ed Narain announced on Friday that he has become the fastest candidate in the Senate District 19 race to qualify via petitions, doing so in 72 days. “After being asked by members of the community to enter the race, we’ve been working hard to get our message out to our neighbors in the district,” […]

Phil AmmannJune 4, 2016

Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner recalls Muhammad Ali as a man “who never backed down, who fought the good fight.” Ali, the three-time world heavyweight champion and vocal social activist, died Friday at age 74 of septic shock after being hospitalized in the Phoenix area with respiratory problems. Joyner first met Ali in the early 1970s, […]

Jim RosicaMay 26, 2016

Prosecutors have dismissed the criminal case against the man known as “Capitol Pitbull Dude.” Leon County court dockets show charges of trespassing and resisting an officer, both misdemeanors, were dropped last week against 35-year-old Antonio Ringo Davis. Davis first became known as “Capitol Pitbull Dude” and “Capitol Bulldog Guy” after he and his dog were escorted out of a Senate committee hearing […]

Staff ReportsMay 24, 2016

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Tampa attorney Karen Skyers has been named a member of the “Distinguished Alumni” by the Florida A&M University College of Law. Skyers, now with the Government Law & Lobbying Practice Group at Becker & Poliakoff, received the award May 14. It “recognizes alumni who have excelled in the legal profession while contributing to the community and […]

Phil AmmannMay 9, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off and on: Maggie Mickler is no longer press secretary for the Senate Majority Leader’s office. She has become director of communications at the Department of Management Services. On: LaQuisha Persak has become the new […]

Mitch PerryMay 6, 2016

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On Saturday, Democrats from each of Florida’s 27 congressional districts will meet in congressional district caucuses to elect 135 district-level delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July. Later on, the district-level delegates will meet to select 27 Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates, 45 At-Large Delegates, and 17 At-Large Alternates to the […]

Mitch PerryMay 5, 2016

Outgoing state legislator Arthenia Joyner has been a pioneer throughout her professional career in law and politics, and with just months to go before she ends her legislative career in Tallahassee, she was given a commemoration Thursday by the Tampa City Council honoring her work. The 73-year-old lifelong Democrat currently represents Tampa’s Senate District 19, where she […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Darryl Rouson and Ed Narain battle it out on policy in SD 19 NAACP-sponsored debate

Hillsborough County chair Les Miller endorses Ed Narain in SD 19 race

Ed Narain blasts Augie Ribeiro in SD 19 candidates forum

Ed Narain qualifies for ballot in SD 19 race via petition

Arthenia Joyner notes passing of “The Greatest”

State drops charges against ‘Capitol Pitbull Dude’

Karen Skyers named distinguished FAMU Law alumna

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Florida Democrats to choose delegates to convention this Saturday

Tampa City Council honors Arthenia Joyner as her legislative career winds down