Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersApril 17, 2018

Warning that Florida may be in violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state Sen. Victor Torres on Tuesday led a group of eight mostly-Hispanic Democratic lawmakers in urging Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner to respond to reports that some Florida counties are not providing Spanish-language elections materials. Torres and the others wrote to […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2018

Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, chairman of the Florida Legislative Progressive Caucus and the lion of the state’s progressive Democrats, has thrown his support behind Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in the Governor’s race. “In 2018 Florida Democrats have a choice: do we settle yet again for moderate candidates reading a script written by […]

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran is telling the Constitution Revision Commission that a pending gun proposal is “inappropriate for inclusion in the state Constitution.” The speaker sent a one-page letter to commissioners Wednesday. He pointed to “an ‘assault’ weapons ban, a ban on specific magazines, and an extended waiting period,” saying he had “grave concern.” An amendment, filed […]

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 PowersMarch 3, 2018

What are progressive Democrats to do when faced with an omnibus school safety and guns bill that has a few things they like but doesn’t have any of the major provisions they’ve insisted on, and also includes something that they worry might be a poison pill? Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado […]

Peter SchorschMarch 3, 2018

Three Central Florida Democrats will continue their efforts to curb gun violence on Saturday as lawmakers continue to grapple with the post-Parkland political environment. Linda Stewart will renew her push of an assault weapons ban during a rare Saturday floor session of the Florida Senate, while state Reps. Amy Mercado and Carlos Smith will host a gun safety roundtable with […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 23, 2018

Gun-reform measures released by Gov. Rick Scott and leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature are being hailed as the greatest proposed deviations from hard line pro-gun laws in the Sunshine State in recent history — but Democratic officials, groups and politicians have been quick to claim the proposals are inadequate. The legislative initiatives released Friday are […]

Scott PowersFebruary 23, 2018

While saying he was impressed by the passion and delivery of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students who came to Tallahassee to ask for gun legislation, Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa on Friday denounced the procedural vote taken in front of them as “a political stunt” and the bill itself “a gun grab” attempt. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2018

On the debate over assault rifle bans, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King believes the Florida Legislature is a bunch of cowards. With the eyes of the nation on them, the GOP-led state House blocked a move by Democrats Tuesday to debate a ban on assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in Florida, six days after a massacre […]

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 […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia speaks at Aug. 27, 2025 press conference in Orlando.

Victor Torres leads effort demanding Spanish materials in Florida elections offices

Carlos Smith endorses Andrew Gillum in Governor’s race

Richard Corcoran: ‘Grave concern’ about gun-related CRC measure

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

Amy Mercado, Carlos Smith hear opinions on schools and guns bill

Linda Stewart to try again for assault weapons ban

Democrats react to Parkland reforms, criticize lack of assault weapons ban

Mike La Rosa calls gun bill vote ‘political stunt,’ and bill a ‘gun grab’

Chris King: Legislature ‘cowardly’ for running from assault rifle ban

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