Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersApril 25, 2018

A year ago, the families of the “Groveland Four” fought back tears, joined with Florida Legislature leaders, and watching as lawmakers sought to do what they could to right a 68-year-old injustice from the Jim Crow era in Florida. On April 18, 2017, the Florida House of Representatives approved CS/HCR 631 by 117-0. On April […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2018

Former Margate Sen. Jeremy Ring announced Thursday that 19 Democratic state lawmakers have endorsed him in the chief financial officer race. “From the very beginning I have believed that our campaign is all about people power,” Ring said. “I am proud to have the support of each and every one of these legislators. Over the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 7, 2017

Less than 48 hours before a select group of Florida Democrats chooses their new state leader, Alma Gonzalez announced a series of new endorsements in the race for the party’s state chair. Tampa Rep. Kathy Castor announced that she was backing the Hillsborough County State Committeewoman, who is competing against Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Terrie […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2017

Last week, more than 25 Democratic legislative leaders from Palm Beach County and the state announced endorsing state Rep. Lori Berman in her bid for Senate District 31. Among those lining up behind Berman, a Lantana Democrat who represents HD 90, are Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, former Congressmen Patrick Murphy and […]

Scott PowersNovember 20, 2017

There is no pardon for the Groveland Four. At least not yet, and possibly not in the foreseeable future, despite much celebration last spring that they deserved and should receive posthumous pardons. The Groveland Four are the young, black men who were falsely accused of raping a white woman in rural Lake County in 1949. […]

Staff ReportsJune 6, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Hope Holt, formerly calendar coordinator in the House Clerk’s Office, is now serving as a program specialist for the Office of Professional Development. Off: Tina White stepped down as policy chief for the House Criminal Justice […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 24, 2017

A House panel advanced an amended version of the lower chamber’s medical marijuana implementing bill, preparing the bill for a vote by the full House in the coming weeks. But with two weeks left until the scheduled end of the 2017 Legislative Session, the House and Senate continue to be at odds when it comes […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 20, 2017

A bill seeking to expand what optometrists could do — namely, performing surgery and prescribing opiates — was an agenda item in the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee Thursday. However, the bill at the center of Florida’s Eyeball Wars went unheard. HB 1037, sponsored by Rep. Manny Diaz, barely cleared Health and Human Services […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2017

The House voted unanimously Tuesday to apologize to survivors of four African-American men who were brutalized in 1949 following a false accusation of rape. The House also approved an apology to the survivors of abuse at the Dozier and Okeechobee schools for boys, and approved plans for memorials to children who died on the Dozier […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2017

‘The Groveland Four’ were four young men and teenagers who endured one of the darkest known moments of Florida’s Jim Crow history when they were falsely accused of rape, then all of them were beaten, two of them were killed, and two were convicted and imprisoned on what legal researchers are now convinced was false […]

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

After a year, families hear nothing on calls for justice for the Groveland Four

Jeremy Ring snags a pile of endorsements from state lawmakers

Alma Gonzalez backed by Kathy Castor and Democratic Labor Caucus as chair election nears

Lori Berman nabs two dozen endorsements in SD 31 bid

Where are the Groveland Four pardons? Their story continues in silence

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

House medical marijuana implementing bill headed to the floor

‘Eyeball Wars’ bill, slated for House committee, goes unheard Thursday

House votes apology to Groveland Four family members, Dozier survivors

‘Groveland Four’ exoneration resolution passes committee