Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksJanuary 21, 2016

On Monday we celebrated the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On Tuesday, Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, was in Tallahassee for an important civil rights cause in Florida. The issue of education is front and center in today’s discussion of civil rights. The opportunity to have a better life […]

Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Bob SparksDecember 22, 2015

This past week, former state Sen. Al Lawson revealed his intention to run for Congress in the newly configured 5th District. The announcement from Lawson, a Democrat from Tallahassee, puts in motion a chain reaction of events that will make this one worthy of attention. “North Florida needs a strong, progressive voice in Washington to […]

Jac VerSteegNovember 9, 2015

Way back in 1984, the late, great Chicago newspaperman Mike Royko wrote a column in which he urged readers to lie to pollsters. “Be polite. Talk to them,” Royko coached. “But lie. Don’t give them an honest answer.” Royko wrote that pollsters would collect the results and “feed them into a computer, which will chew […]

Jac VerSteegNovember 8, 2015

Way back in 1984, the late, great Chicago newspaperman Mike Royko wrote a column in which he urged readers to lie to pollsters. “Be polite. Talk to them,” Royko coached. “But lie. Don’t give them an honest answer.” Royko wrote that pollsters would collect the results and “feed them into a computer, which will chew […]

Bob SparksOctober 22, 2015

One month ago the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit was in the news for reasons other than those intended. With only former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio committed to appear before those gathering on November 13 and 14, some drastic action to boost participation was contemplated. Those presidential candidates failing to […]

Bob SparksOctober 15, 2015

The end of the process for redrawing Florida’s congressional districts is in sight. It may be one cycle late, but if the Florida Supreme Court rules favorably on the recommended final map, candidates and potential candidates can make informed decisions. Last week, Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis signed off on one of seven maps […]

Bob SparksOctober 8, 2015

Fifteen months before the presidential election, New Hampshire and Iowa is where the action is. That is true every four years. Winning the nomination and the general election requires a strong performance in several key states. In 2016, the next president will have won at least two of a group of three swing states that […]

Bob SparksOctober 1, 2015

John Boehner sure knows how to make news. At least he waited until Pope Francis left Washington before he dropped his resignation bombshell last week. The soon-to-be-former Speaker set off a media and Capitol frenzy with his Friday announcement. Boehner’s decision elicited respectful reflection from one side matched by jubilation from the conservative wing of the […]

Bob SparksSeptember 24, 2015

Polling for the 2016 presidential campaign is a political scientist’s dream. It is not too bad for pundits, either. There is something in it for everyone. The Quinnipiac University poll released on Thursday is the latest example. The poll reaffirms that Donald Trump still polls the highest in some areas and the lowest in others. […]

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

Bob Sparks: Black leaders to the teachers’ union: Drop the suit

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list

Bob Sparks: U.S. House District 5 race will be one to watch

Jac VerSteeg: Poll accuracy might be worse than you thought

Jac VerSteeg: Poll accuracy might be worse than you thought

Bob Sparks: 30 days later, Sunshine Summit boasts full agenda

Bob Sparks: Even Florida’s nonpartisan congressional maps are deemed unfair

Bob Sparks: When likability and the desire for leadership and experience collide

Bob Sparks: Dan Webster runs for Speaker; for whom will Gwen Graham vote?

Bob Sparks: Poll shows presidential race slowly starting to take shape