Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschNovember 18, 2018

In a single election cycle, Florida’s firefighter union destroyed relationships dating back nearly 20 years. Why? Leaders of the Florida Professional Firefighters Union had out-and-out lied to membership. And because of that, the recently ended 2018 election cycle was nothing short of catastrophic for the FPF and its local Miami chapter. The crux of the […]

Peter SchorschNovember 17, 2018

There’s a 50 or so mile stretch of California coast where a staggering amount of the western world’s innovations are born. From San Francisco to Palo Alto, Mountain View and Cupertino, entrepreneurs with big ideas flock there for two reasons: proximity to a highly specialized workforce and access to an embarrassing amount of the most […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 14, 2018

State Sen. David Simmons is primed to be the upper chamber’s second-in-command during the 2019 and 2020 Legislative Sessions. Senate President-elect Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, on Wednesday announced his selection of the Longwood Republican to fill the role. The Senate is expected to approve Simmons’ appointment on Tuesday, when the chamber meets for Organizational […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 12, 2018

For a second straight Legislative session, a Clay County Republican will be key to the budget process. Just as Sen. Rob Bradley chaired Senate Appropriations in 2018, chairing the powerful House Appropriations Committee is state Republican Rep. Travis Cummings of Orange Park. Cummings replaces former House budget chair Carlos Trujillo, who left the Legislature after being […]

Drew WilsonNovember 7, 2018

Just like two years ago, the path for a Democratic flip or tie in the state Senate ran through Gainesville-based District 8. With only a few votes left to be counted, SD 8 voters appear to have decided they’ll stay the course and re-elect Republican Sen. Keith Perry over his Democratic challenger, Kayser Enneking, keeping the […]

Drew WilsonNovember 2, 2018

Everytown For Gun Safety, a gun-control group co-founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has poured $455,000 into a direct mail campaign according to a newly filed campaign finance report. The national branch of the org, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, funneled $465,000 to its state-level PAC, Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund Florida, on […]

Drew WilsonOctober 19, 2018

Former Republican Rep. Ed Hooper and Former Democratic Rep. Amanda Murphy are locked in a dogfight according to a new poll of the race for open Senate District 16 seat. The St. Pete Polls survey, conducted Oct. 18, found Hopper leading Murphy by a basket 19 days out from the election, 48-46 percent with 6 […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2018

Current CFO Jimmy Patronis scored another fundraising win for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 5 with nearly $500,000 in receipts between his campaign and Treasure Florida political committee. The Panama City Republican was appointed to the CFO job last year by Gov. Rick Scott and is the lone incumbent Cabinet member running for re-election in the fall. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 8, 2018

The race for SD 8 has already taken to the airwaves, but both candidates for the Alachua County-based seat have been sending out mailer after mailer pitching themselves as the best candidate for the job. As he’s done throughout the election cycle, Gainesville Republican Sen. Keith Perry put out another mailer this week tying his […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

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Jeremiah Hawkes, formerly a top official under Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, is now general counsel of the Florida Senate, its spokeswoman said Friday. Hawkes, who started Monday, will be paid $135,000 a year. He replaces Dawn Roberts, who served as the Senate’s top lawyer under outgoing Senate President Joe Negron. Roberts is returning to her […]

Tag: Bill Galvano

Firefighter unions played the worst hand ever in modern politics

In realm of innovation, Florida ’gets there first‘

David Simmons selected Senate President Pro Tempore

House budget chief Travis Cummings optimistic about Ron DeSantis era

Keith Perry holds off Kayser Enneking to win second Senate term

Everytown for Gun Safety spends $450K on last-minute mail campaign

Ed Hooper leads Amanda Murphy by a hair in SD 16 dogfight

Jimmy Patronis outraises Jeremy Ring tenfold in early October

Direct mail roundup: Kayser Enneking, Keith Perry release dueling mailers in SD 8

Personnel note: Jeremiah Hawkes now state Senate’s top lawyer