Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 1, 2018

Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano is planning to host a fundraiser in Bradenton next month for fellow Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel, one of a half-dozen GOP state senators whose seats are being targeted by Florida Democrats this fall. The casual fundraising reception will be held at Gio Fabulous Pizza, 4805 Cortez Rd. W, from 5:00 pm […]

Drew WilsonMay 31, 2018

Political committees tied to incoming Senate President Bill Galvano and Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson have pulled in more than $100,000 combined so far in May. Galvano’s committee, Innovate Florida, has received four checks for a combined total of $55,000 raised so far this month. Topping the donor list is Opa Locka-based Dosal Tobacco Corporation, […]

Drew WilsonMay 30, 2018

Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsley bid to be Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture has earned the backing of incoming Senate President Bill Galvano and Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson. “Senator Grimsley is uniquely qualified to be the state’s next Agriculture Commissioner, not only because of her extensive background in citrus growing and cattle ranching, but because […]

Drew WilsonMay 14, 2018

Republican Sen. Keith Perry is launching his re-election campaign for Senate District 8 with a May 24 fundraiser in Gainesville. The event is at Ballyhoo Grill, 3700 W. University Ave., starting at 5:30 pm. Those looking to attend the casual-attire reception can send their RSVPs to Skylar Swanson by sending an email to [email protected] or […]

Drew WilsonMay 10, 2018

Hialeah Republican Rep. Manny Diaz Jr. is holding a fundraiser May 15 in Coral Gables for his bid to succeed termed-out Sen. Rene Garcia in Senate District 36. The campaign fundraiser will be held at The Aragon Room of The Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., starting at 5 p.m. Would-be attendees can send the campaign […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 8, 2018

Tuesday saw the latest in a series of high-profile endorsements for the first statewide campaign of appointed CFO Jimmy Patronis, via Senate President-designate Bill Galvano. Galvano, who represents southern Hillsborough and Manatee Counties, issued an unstinting endorsement of Patronis. “I am proud to announce my support and endorsement of CFO Jimmy Patronis in his re-election bid. In […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2018

Real estate billionaire Jeffrey Soffer has closed on a deal to buy South Florida’s former Mardi Gras Casino and Race Track. The closing was disclosed in a final order filed Monday and released Tuesday by the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). But the department, which regulates gambling in the state, withheld a final […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2018

Lawmakers have moved from informal talks to exchanging offers toward a Special Session on gambling, sources said late Monday. That’s despite an agreement announced last week between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida guaranteeing that the Tribe will keep sharing gaming revenue from its casinos at least till May 2019. The impetus behind the Special Session effort is a […]

Danny McAuliffeApril 19, 2018

Gaming session or not, Florida teachers want legislators to reconvene to iron out school funding concerns. On Thursday the Florida Education Association renewed its push for the Legislature to reconsider funding stipulations in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which was rushed through the lawmaking process in the wake of the Parkland […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2018

It’s another happy day at Hard Rock. Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday announced an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that “extends the Tribe’s current commitment to make (gambling) revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.” The tribe operates Hard Rock-branded and other casinos in Florida, including the flagship Hard […]

Tag: Bill Galvano
Image via AP.

Bill Galvano to help boost Kelli Stargel fundraising next month

Bill Galvano, Wilton Simpson raise more than $100K in May

Senate leaders back Denise Grimsley for Ag Commissioner

Keith Perry kicking off SD 8 campaign May 24

Manny Diaz holding SD 36 fundraiser next week

Bill Galvano backs Jimmy Patronis for CFO

Jeffrey Soffer closes deal to buy South Florida’s Mardi Gras Casino

Lawmakers swapping deals toward Special Session on gambling

Teachers ask Legislature to revisit school funding amid special session talks

Deal ’em: Rick Scott, Seminole Tribe agree on gambling money