Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Frank TorresAugust 28, 2015

Much like preparing for a hurricane, Orange County Republicans are looking for some shelter from an upcoming storm. And it’s not Tropical Storm Erika that has the GOP worried. In a unanimous vote Thursday evening, the Orange County Republican Executive Committee approved a group of three stand-alone campaign finance accounts, which would protect them from […]

Frank TorresAugust 18, 2015

The Orange County Republican Executive Committee will consider establishing an independent campaign account to protect its local elected leaders from financial retaliation related to the ongoing feud over who will be Speaker of the Florida House at the beginning of the next decade. The proposal stems from the conflict between state Reps. Eric Eisnaugle, projected to be […]

Frank TorresAugust 10, 2015

State Rep. Bob Cortes raiseda little more than $21,000 in July, as he officially began his defense of one of the biggest battleground districts in Florida. That brings his complete haul for his re-election campaign to about $57,000 with almost all of it on hand. The Altamonte Springs Republican’s only opponent at the moment is […]

Ryan RayJuly 24, 2015

Orlando activist Tiffany Namey, a staple on the left-leaning political circuit in “the City Beautiful,” said Friday she won’t seek the Democratic nomination in House District 30 to challenge first-term Altamonte Springs Republican Rep. Bob Cortes. As first reported by Frank Torres in The Orlando Political Observer, Namey cited personal and strategic reasons for taking a pass […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

Orange County classroom teacher Sean Ashby announced his intention to seek the House District 50 seat in east central Florida to be vacated by Rep. Tom Goodson, who is switching districts. Ashby will face current HD 49 Rep. Rene Plasencia, who has filed for the Republican-leaning seat to avoid being bounced after one term, like his […]

Staff ReportsJune 11, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed HB 225 into law, formally codifying into state statute that all state, county and municipal governments who purchase American flags for public use must do so from manufacturers based in the United States. The bill provides, according to staff analysis, that: “The United States and state flags must be displayed […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 1, 2015

Eight House Republicans have been targeted by FloridaStrong, a group that calls itself “non-partisan” even thought it has ties to Democrats. The mailer targets Republicans in swing districts, accusing them of “fail(ing) leadership, violating the state Constitution, and endangering the health and well-being of Floridians.” The mailer doesn’t mention Medicaid or FHIX which caused the rift […]

Ryan RayMay 12, 2015

Democrat Ryan Yadav made it official today – or at least even more official than his original campaign paperwork filing last week did: the criminal defense attorney from Sanford will mount a bid to unseat Rep. Bob Cortes in District 30, one of the most mercurial districts in the state. Cortes bested former Rep. Karen Castor Dentel to take over […]

Ryan RayApril 30, 2015

As lobbyists and pols alike collect their collective jaws from the floor in the wake of Speaker Steve Crisafulli’s Sine Die adjournment spectacle, the Florida Democratic Party is wasting no time in making political hay out of it. The FDP told Florida Politics that it is hitting vulnerable members of the majority in the GOP-dominated Florida House […]

Peter SchorschApril 17, 2015

Another shot has fired in the contentious behind-the-scenes battle in the Florida GOP over the future House Speakership of Eric Eisnaugle. Orange County RPOF Chairman Lew Oliver, in an email obtained Friday by FloridaPolitics.com, confirms that four House members’ districts vulnerable to Democrats in 2016 (three in Orange County), were given a “motive” to pair […]

Tag: Bob Cortes
Debate party at Sports Grill Kendall. Image via AP.

Orange County GOP approves finance accounts to shelter from House Speaker storm

Orange County GOP looks to protect incumbents from House speakership feud

Bob Cortes banks $21K for July in House District 30 race

Activist Tiffany Namey to stay out of HD 30 race in Orlando

Democrat Sean Ashby launches 2016 bid in HD 50 amid House seat-swapping

New law requires made-in-USA flags for Florida governmental use

“Non partisan” group targets 8 House Rs in negative mailer

Ryan Yadav formally announces a run in HD 30

Florida Democrats unveil text of mailers, robocalls targeting vulnerable House Republicans

Orange Co. GOP leader: Blaise Ingoglia should resign as Florida GOP chairman