Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 10, 2016

Republican Peter Vivaldi announced Tuesday that eight Central Florida lawmakers are backing his bid for the District 15 seat in the Florida Senate. “I am very honored and encouraged to have the support of so many members of our area’s delegation,” Vivaldi said. “They are all great conservative leaders, and I look forward to working […]

Scott PowersMay 9, 2016

Republican incumbent state Rep. Bob Cortes raised $12,680 in April for his re-election campaign in House District 30, renewing the pace he had set before the Florida Legislative Session. Cortes, a first-term Republican in a swing district that straddles Orange and Seminole counties, also spent about $4,700 in April. That leaves him with about $104,000 […]

Ryan RayMay 2, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce lent their substantial clout to four statehouse Republicans on Monday. Groveland Rep. Larry Metz, Auburndale Rep. Neil Combee, Maitland Rep. Bob Cortes, Saint Cloud Rep. Mike De La Rosa, and Orlando Rep. Eric Eisnaugle were among those who got the nod from the pro-business group. The lawmakers all received “A” grades on the Chamber’s annual legislative report […]

Staff ReportsApril 29, 2016

Election Day is still five months off, but it’s never too early kick off your ground game in today’s nearly permanent campaign seasons. The weekend will be chock-full of electioneering activity. Here’s a listing of some of what’s going on from April 30-May 1, during the so-called “off-season”: Saturday, April 30 The Democratic Progressive Caucus will hold its […]

Scott PowersApril 27, 2016

Most of Central Florida’s Republicans in the Florida House of Representatives made a joint endorsement Tuesday of Dean Asher in the Orlando-based Florida Senate District 13 race. Asher announced the endorsements Tuesday from state Reps. Mike Miller of Winter Park, Rene Plasencia of Orlando, Eric Eisnaugle of Orlando, Bob Cortes of Altamonte Springs, Jason Brodeur of Sanford, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

The Florida House wants to give kids a little down time. The House voted 112-2 on Thursday to approve a bill (HB 833) that requires public schools to provide 100 minutes of recess each week in kindergarten through fifth grade. It also applies to sixth-grade students enrolled in schools with one or more elementary grades. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2016

A House education panel unanimously cleared a bill that would create a state mandate for elementary schools to give students at least 100 minutes of recess per week. The K-12 Subcommittee OK’d the measure (HB 833) Tuesday. It must next clear the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and full Education Committee before it can be heard on the House floor. The bill, […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2016

The year 2015 ended with little competitive balance in campaign money among Central Florida candidates running for Florida House of Representatives seats as incumbents, when they have any competition at all yet. One exception, in Seminole County’s House District 30 has incumbent Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes raising more than $101,000 for his campaign. Yet […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – the legislative merry-go-round. On: Caitlin Butler, formerly Florida field director for Turning Point USA, is now district secretary for Altamonte Springs Republican State Rep. Bob Cortes. Off: Jonathon Little is no longer Cortes’ legislative assistant. He […]

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2015

Though not quite as protracted (and definitely not as written about), another leadership battle in the Legislature seems to have settled after days of arm-twisting, pledge-wrangling and nose-counting. State Representative Chris Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican, reportedly has swayed enough defectors from fellow Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, an Orlando Republican, to make Sprowls the likely Speaker of the Florida House of […]

Tag: Bob Cortes
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Central Florida lawmakers back Peter Vivaldi in SD 15 race

Bob Cortes raises $12K in April for HD 30 race

Florida Chamber endorses A-Grade legislative Republicans

Florida campaign weekender, April 30-May 1

Central Florida Republican lawmakers endorse Dean Asher in SD 13 race

Florida House passes bill mandating recess at public schools

Bill would mandate elementary schools to give recess

Bob Cortes’ impressive campaign cash haul almost matched by Ryan Yadav’s self-loans

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

As Shawn Harrison switches allegiances, Chris Sprowls now has majority of class in House Speaker’s race