Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorMay 18, 2016

Bob Sparks, an articulate and well-regarded writer for this publication, simply got it wrong when he offered that voters have plenty of choices without open primaries. They do not. His premise is that voters already have the choice to join one of two major political parties if they want to participate in — case in point […]

Bob SparksMay 12, 2016

Most Florida voters have some vitally important choices to make in this year’s primary election in late August. Republicans and Democrats have some key choices to make, but some want to expand the voter pool. For a quarter century, Leon County has been well served by its Supervisor of Elections, Ion Sancho. Voters in Tallahassee […]

Bob SparksMay 5, 2016

Donald Trump will be the nominee for president for the Republican Party. Take a moment and let that sink in. With all of the insults, angst, accusations of fraud, and just plain bellowing, who thought that was even remotely possible in August? On August 6, the Trump Train made its first stop at Cleveland’s Quicken […]

Bob SparksApril 25, 2016

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Senate President-elect Joe Negron was back in school this week. Not as a student, but as a legislative leader looking for on-the-ground information designed to help craft the 2017-18 education budget. Negron will push for $1 billion in extra spending for colleges and universities. While students are traditionally fond of road trips, Negron and four […]

Bob SparksApril 24, 2016

Senate President-elect Joe Negron was back in school this week. Not as a student, but as a legislative leader looking for on-the-ground information designed to help craft the 2017-18 education budget. Negron will push for $1 billion in extra spending for colleges and universities. While students are traditionally fond of road trips, Negron and four […]

Bob SparksMarch 31, 2016

Donald Trump’s campaign manager is now part of the Jupiter, Florida police blotter. His victim, according to the probable cause affidavit, is a battered and bruised former reporter for the conservative Breitbart News. Corey Lewandowski and Michelle Fields were not household names prior to this avoidable public spectacle. If the cable news outlets and bloggers […]

Bob SparksMarch 17, 2016

As Donald Trump marches closer to the Republican nomination for president, more prominent elected officials are endorsing him. Florida Gov. Rick Scott is the latest, giving his approval following Trump’s blowout victory in Florida on Tuesday. The day before the primary, Attorney General Pam Bondi endorsed Trump, the part-time resident of Palm Beach County. The […]

Bob SparksFebruary 25, 2016

Sometimes during legislative sessions some unusual partnerships develop. Unlikely alliances can form to pass or defeat a measure that fits a common goal. Florida has provided a prime example of such teamwork. The philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” syndrome has played out in the area of economic incentives. House Bill […]

Bob SparksFebruary 11, 2016

Tuesday night’s New Hampshire primary election revealed the mood of the electorate of that small state. Polls show that in many of the remaining primary and caucus states, voters in both parties are unhappy with the process of government. Amendments, show votes, executive orders and other process maneuvers have worn thin. The Florida Legislature offers […]

Bob SparksFebruary 4, 2016

Jeb Bush knows that it is now or never if he is to find a path to the Republican nomination. Many believe any path was covered up two or three debates ago, but what may be a final opportunity exists next week in New Hampshire. Bush was a distant sixth in Iowa, finishing more than […]

Tag: Bob Sparks
Image via AP.

John Opdycke: Closed primaries do not give voters ‘plenty of choices’

Bob Sparks: Voters still have plenty of choices without open primaries

Bob Sparks: Continue to bet against Donald Trump at your own risk

Bob Sparks: Joe Negron’s bus tour should hear the sounds of a changing workforce

Bob Sparks: Joe Negron’s bus tour should hear the sounds of a changing workforce

Bob Sparks: No heroes in Trump campaign vs. reporter feud

Bob Sparks: Groups believe Pam Bondi’s endorsement of Donald Trump is somehow corrupt

Bob Sparks: Battle over economic incentives features unlikely alliances

Bob Sparks: Hear the gun bills, don’t restrict debate

Bob Sparks: Jeb Bush looks to ‘stay in the conversation’ in New Hampshire