Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 9, 2017

Florida’s effort to create statewide anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity received a substantial boost. On Thursday, Tallahassee tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Rick Kearney gave $100,000 to Florida Competes, the coalition of businesses working to pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act. Kearney’s check is the largest single donation to Florida Competes so […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

On Thursday, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act was filed again in the Florida Legislature, this time by Rep. Ben Diamond and Rep. Rene Plascenia on the House side, and Sen. Jeff Clemens in the Senate. House Bill 623/Senate Bill 666 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. The FCWA would amend Ch. 760 […]

Anne LindbergNovember 21, 2016

Tuesday is an important day for freshman members of the Florida Legislature. They’ll be sworn in and have to start making good on those campaign promises. However, there’s a lot to do before they start filing bills. “It’s going to be a learning session for me,” said Wengay Newton, who represents House District 70, which […]

Mitch PerryNovember 15, 2016

With his legacy on the line, Barack Obama went all out during this just-concluded election season to not only get Hillary Clinton elected, but also more than 150 down ballot races for state Senate and House in states across the country, including 13 Democrats on the ballot in Florida. With one House race so close […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2016

Democrat Ben Diamond has defeated Republican JB Benshimen in the House District 68 race, 56 percent to 44 percent. “I’m so honored to have been chosen to represent our district in Tallahassee,” said Diamond. “I’m looking forward to working hard for the people of Pinellas County. I want to thank my family, friends, supporters, and volunteers for all their help […]

Mitch PerryOctober 31, 2016

With just eight days to go before the voting ends in Florida, state Senate District 18 Democratic hopeful Bob Buesing received some welcome news Monday when former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham endorsed him. “Bob Buesing is the right person to work across the aisle to address Florida’s challenges and get things done for the people of Senate […]

Peter SchorschOctober 25, 2016

With two weeks to go until Election Day, the Tampa Bay area’s Senate seats are pretty much decided. Welcome back Sens. Jack Latvala and Tom Lee and say hello to Darryl Rouson, who should cruise past John “Mr. Manners” Houman to win the SD 19 seat. Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young still has a race […]

Peter SchorschOctober 24, 2016

President Barack Obama, capitalizing on high approval numbers, is endorsing dozens of state legislative candidates throughout the country, part of a significant push in the effort to flip swing districts in down-ballot races throughout Florida and across the country. The roll call now includes support for Charlie Crist in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, Rod Smith in state Senate District 8, Bob Buesing in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 21, 2016

President Barack Obama is throwing his support behind more than a dozen Democratic legislative hopefuls. The Florida Democratic Party announced Friday the president endorsed 13 Democrats running for state House and Senate. The endorsements come just 18 days before the Nov. 8 general election, and are likely meant to boost Democratic turnout. “No state is […]

Peter SchorschOctober 14, 2016

Let’s put aside for a moment the argument about whether newspaper endorsements matter much in modern campaigns. Even if not a single likely voter was swayed by the opinions of editorial boards, the endorsements still matter because they matter to the candidates themselves. That’s why you see even the most Republican of candidates — with their […]

Tag: Ben Diamond
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Tallahassee entrepreneur Rick Kearney boosts Florida Competes campaign with $100K

\Competitive Workforce Act filed once again in Legislature

For Ben Diamond, Wengay Newton, a time of learning and outreach

Barack Obama goes below .500 in his picks for Florida House and Senate seats

Ben Diamond defeats JB Benshimen in HD 68 race

Bob Graham announces his support for fellow Democrat Bob Buesing’s state Senate bid

Here’s where sh*t stands in Tampa Bay’s legislative races

I’m just gonna leave this right here: Why didn’t President Obama endorse Dwight Bullard?

Barack Obama endorses 13 Democrats running for state House and Senate

11 things I think I think about the Tampa Bay Times’ endorsements in state House races