Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonNovember 9, 2015

After a six-figure haul in October Republican George Gainer has passed Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz in on-hand money in the race for Senate District 1. The Gainer campaign brought in $118,590 last month and spent $46,887, leaving the Bay County Commissioner with just under $573,000 cash on-hand heading into November. Gaetz’s report wasn’t as […]

Phil AmmannNovember 6, 2015

George Gainer doesn’t talk about Northwest Florida values. He lives them. That’s the gist of the latest mailing from the North Florida businessman, who faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Republican Senate District 1 primary. The ad, set to hit area mailboxes next week, strives to heat up the battle for conservatives by hitting […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2015

Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz released a new ad Tuesday that trumpets his role in passing tougher penalties on sex offenders in 2014. “I’m Matt Gaetz, and I’ll always fight to protect our kids,” the Senate District 1 candidate said in the video. “The system was broken, so I led the fight to fix it,” […]

Drew WilsonNovember 3, 2015

Last week, Republican SD1 candidate George Gainer batted down accusations that he was “standing alone in the mirror” in his Senate campaign. This week, he’s keeping the full-court press on his opponent, Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gainer, fresh off a major fundraiser for his campaign that reportedly brought in a six-figure sum, announced Monday that his […]

Associated PressOctober 31, 2015

Several Panama City Beach nightclub owners argue in a lawsuit filed Friday that local officials violated their rights and showed racial bias when they approved a series of new ordinances designed to curb spring break mayhem. The club owners, other businesses and eight other anonymous plaintiffs, described as representative club patrons of various races, claim […]

Phil AmmannOctober 28, 2015

Bay County Commissioner George Gainer pushed back hard on accusations he is “standing alone in the mirror” for his Florida Senate District 1 campaign. As proof, the Northwest Florida Republican hosted a major fundraiser, attended by what supporters call a “who’s who” of Bay County business, civic and political leaders. Gainer faces state Rep. Matt Gaetz […]

Drew WilsonOctober 2, 2015

Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz built a sizable war chest for his Senate District 1 campaign over the last two years, but that advantage evaporated after challenger George Gainer cut a $500,000 check to his own campaign. The Bay County commissioner filed for the seat on Sept. 8 after months of rumors he would enter the […]

Associated PressMay 11, 2015

A raucous spring break that made unwanted national headlines has Bay County officials looking to restore the Panhandle community’s image. After a season where a house party dissolved into gunfire and a beach gathering resulted in a videotaped sexual assault, Bay County is negotiating a contract for a new marketing strategy to boost public perception. […]

Ryan RayJanuary 16, 2015

Freshman state Rep. Jay Trumbull of Panama City has filed paperwork to run for re-election in 2016, according to the Florida Division of Elections. The 25-year-old Republican won big during his first bid for office back in November, taking 69 percent of the vote against Democrat Jamie Shepard and Green Party nominee Henry Newman Lawrence, […]

Bruce RitchieAugust 24, 2014

Environmental issues are becoming high profile in the race for Congress in the eastern Florida Panhandle, as they should anywhere in Florida. U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, is facing Democrat Gwen Graham of Tallahassee in the Nov. 4 general election. The district extends from the white sand beaches of Bay County east, to include […]

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After October haul, George Gainer passes Matt Gaetz in on-hand cash for SD 1 race

Direct mail roundup: George Gainer doesn’t talk NW Florida values, he lives them

Matt Gaetz ad boasts role in “fixing” penalties for sex offenders

George Gainer drops first ad in Senate campaign vs. Matt Gaetz

Businesses say Panama City Beach violated their civil rights

Matt Gaetz opponent George Gainer holds major SD 1 funder, proves he isn’t “standing alone in the mirror”

Matt Gaetz SD 1 money lead evaporates after opponent cuts $500K check

Bay County pursues plan to improve its Spring Break image

Jay Trumbull files for a second term in the Florida House

Bruce Ritchie: Environment is an issue in Panhandle race for Congress