Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

The list of legislative hopefuls just keeps getting longer. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Dorothy Hukill is one of those thinking about her next election. State election records show she […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

Four-term state Rep. Ben Albritton is launching a bid for Florida Senate. Albritton, the Wauchula Republican who represents House District 56, filed Wednesday for the Senate District 26 seat. SD 26 covers a wide swath of Central Florida from Charlotte and Glades counties through southern Polk County. Currently holding the seat is Denise Grimsley, the Lake Placid Republican […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2017

Clay Hollis and Andrew Liebert are joining the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Thursday that Hollis would serve as the director of external affairs, while Liebert will serve as the deputy legislative affairs director. “Clay and Andrew are both great additions to our team, and their professional experience will […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 13, 2017

More lawmakers are gearing up for a re-election bid. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Greg Steube is one of those lawmakers who is starting to think about his next race. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 12, 2016

The federal government is forecasting a 14 percent decrease in Florida orange production next year and a drop in grapefruit of 11.5 percent. The National Agriculture Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its report Wednesday. In another sign of the citrus greening epidemic facing the industry, the service foresees yields of only 70 million boxes of […]

Bill RuftyAugust 17, 2016

Strong mayor pushed because of weak responses The city of Lakeland has been going through a series of bipolar political moves — or lack of moves — over the last few decades. Its leaders and business executives in the city can’t seem to figure out if they want to be a big municipality or a small […]

Guest AuthorJune 20, 2016

With Florida being an $80 billion enterprise and the third-largest state in the nation, it is alarming that its procurement statutes, rules and policy have not been significantly changed in decades, contributing to our state lagging behind most states in the effective use of technology to make our state a better place to live and […]

Bill RuftyMay 24, 2016

A fundraiser for Sam Killebrew, Republican primary candidate for Florida House District 41, is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday at the home of Harriet and Dean Boring, 2112 Hawthorne Trail, in Lakeland. Killebrew, retired contractor and a GOP fundraiser and activist, is competing with retired appellate Judge Charles Davis for the party’s nomination. The winner […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2016

Florida legislators may have publicly backed a presidential candidate, but new research finds that several lawmakers failed to vote in the state’s primary election. Noah Pransky of WTSP reports that a number of lawmakers — just like in 2012 – simply did not take part in Florida’s March 15 presidential preference primary, including four from […]

Bill RuftyMarch 30, 2016

David Charles Poulin, a Lakeland Democrat, recently opened a campaign account for Florida House District 56, occupied by Wauchula Republican Ben Albritton, who is seeking his fourth two-year term to the seat. Poulin’s entry means all five House seats in or including parts of Polk County now have Democrats running in them. That hasn’t happened […]

Tag: Ben Albritton
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

Ben Albritton launches campaign for Denise Grimsley’s Senate seat

Personnel note: Clay Hollis, Andrew Liebert join Department of Agriculture

Legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

Citrus production forecast remains in freefall

Polk political notebook: Strong mayors, weak spellcheck and dueling websites

AIF supports needed IT procurement, contracting reform for the state of Florida

HD 41 candidate Sam Killebrew to hold Lakeland fundraiser Thursday

Florida lawmakers support presidential candidates, but forgot to vote in primary

Democrats becoming challengers on I-4 again?