Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersApril 2, 2018

The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s Political Action Committee and Political Committee have both endorsed state Reps. Bobby Olszewski, and Rene Plasencia and Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin for re-elections. The CFHLA political committees’ board of directors declared the trio – Olszewski and Plasencia are Republicans, and Siplin a Democrat – to be “pro-hospitality […]

Scott PowersApril 2, 2018

Former state Sen. Geraldine Thompson filed for a chance to return to the Florida Legislature, entering the race for Florida’s House District 44 in southwest Orange County. Thompson, of Orlando, served four years in the Florida Senate, representing Senate District 12, and six in the Florida House, representing House District 39 before redistricting. She left the […]

Scott PowersApril 2, 2018

Republican state Rep. Mike Miller has released his first digital campaign ad in his quest for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, turning comments from Gov. Rick Scott into campaign support. The ad shows Miller and Scott meet at a March 21 event at the Orlando Torah Academy in Orlando, where the governor signed House Bill 545, […]

Scott PowersMarch 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott condemned the boycott-Israel movement as anti-Semitism as he signed House Bill 545 in Orlando Wednesday, outlawing Florida governments from doing business with any entities boycotting Israel. Scott’s bill-signing ceremony Wednesday at the Orlando Torah Academy, a Jewish day school, also served to allow him to tout the $2 million that was included in the state […]

Scott PowersMarch 12, 2018

While state lawmakers have been away in Session unable to raise campaign money, a handful of Central Florida challengers – mainly women first-time-candidate Democrats – played a little catch-up on fundraising in February, led by Ann Fuller, who reported raising $8,520 in her first month of a House District 52 campaign, and Joy Goff-Marcil, who reported […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2018

An attempt by Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith to get the state to provide $1 million to help build a Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando drew some crossover votes from Republicans (including many from Central Florida) but failed in the House Tuesday night. The proposed amendment, which would have added $1 million for […]

Scott PowersFebruary 13, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith picked up his campaign-fundraising pace in early January for his 2018 re-election effort in Florida House District 49, bringing in nearly $24,000 even as his only opponent dropped out of the race. Smith, of Orlando, reported that his campaign raised $23,838 in the first eight days of January prior […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2017

Five Central Florida candidates for the Florida House each raised more than $10,000 for their campaigns in November, including incumbent Republican state Reps. Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, David Santiago, and Bob Cortes along with first-time Democratic candidate Anna Eskamani. Olszewski of Winter Garden, who took his seat after winning a special election in October, reported raising […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2017

After hearing what he called “horrible” stories of pets being left chained outside during Hurricane Irma, state Rep. Bobby Olszewski has filed a bill that would make that against the law in Florida, requiring owners to do all they can to get shelter for their animal companions. House Bill 907 would kick in anytime an […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2017

A change to the state’s “lost and found” law could help needy Floridians, its sponsor says. State Rep. Bobby Olszewski, a Winter Garden Republican, filed a bill (HB 851) to allow “lost or abandoned personal property” at a “theme park or entertainment complex” to be donated to charity. Specifically, his measure—which also includes zoos, museums and aquariums—allows […]

Tag: bobby olszewski

Central Florida hoteliers endorse Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, Victoria Siplin

Geraldine Thompson is back, filing to run in HD 44

Mike Miller releases first digital ad in FL CD 7 race

Rick Scott condemns Israel boycotts as anti-Semitism

Two Democratic newcomers make up cash ground in Central Florida House races

Carlos Smith’s $1M Pulse memorial amendment draws some Republicans, but fails

Carlos Smith tops Orange County legislative candidates, raising $23K

Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, Anna Eskamani, lead Central Florida House campaign gains

Bobby Olszewski files bill to protect pets during emergencies

Bill tweaks state law on theme parks’ ‘lost and found’