Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Larry GriffinNovember 14, 2016

The City of Orlando’s plans to purchase the Pulse nightclub and turn it into a memorial were originally scheduled for Monday’s City Council meeting, but have now been delayed until the Dec. 5 meeting. The reason given by Mayor Buddy Dyer is that the city wants more time to formulate a plan moving forward to […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Amy Mercado and Carlos Guillermo Smith — two former chairs of the Orange County Democrats — will be entering the Florida House of Representatives after easy victories over independent candidates Tuesday. Mercado replaces her father, Victor Torres, in representing Florida House District 48. Torres was elected to the Florida Senate Tuesday in Senate District 15. Smith wins Florida […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2016

Democrats are still in a strong position for Orlando’s three Senate seats, with Republican Realtor Dean Asher still the only candidate standing in the way of a clean sweep. Asher raised another $25,775 for his campaign account and $5,000 for his committee, “Allegiant Friends For Florida,” during the Oct. 22 through Nov. 3 reporting period, […]

Scott PowersNovember 5, 2016

Is it Hillary Clinton or the whole women’s and feminist movement at the top of the Democrats’ ticket on Tuesday? A rally in Orlando Saturday – part of a statewide bus tour full of women’s movement and feminist leaders – offered the suggestion that there are such stark differences in attitudes, rhetoric, histories, and policy […]

Scott PowersNovember 1, 2016

The national Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is going up with digital video commercials in Florida to support several gay candidates for Florida House seats and attack their Republican opponents for voting with the gun lobby. The 30-second commercials begin by pegging onto the June 12 mass murder at Orlando’s popular gay nightclub Pulse, saying […]

Peter SchorschNovember 1, 2016

New campaign finance reports are in and Democrats are still holding strong in two of Orlando’s three Senate seats, though Republican Realtor Dean Asher is still in a strong position in the Senate District 13 race. Asher added another $25,000 to his campaign account and spent just $5,500, leaving him with a little over $92,000 […]

Larry GriffinOctober 19, 2016

Shea Silverman, the lone challenger to Carlos Guillermo Smith in House District 49 this year, is going to be spending this weekend at the Orlando Maker Faire showing off a game console he made himself. He said he isn’t trying to tie the event to his campaign, but he does hope it will show voters he […]

Scott PowersOctober 7, 2016

Democratic House District 49 nominee Carlos Guillermo Smith never drew a political party opponent in his quest to win Florida House District 49 back from the Republicans, and he’s not taking lightly his lone rival, independent candidate Shea Silverman. Smith, who has pushed one of the strongest fundraising campaigns in Florida of any non-incumbent running for […]

Scott PowersSeptember 23, 2016

A fairly new organization combining gay rights and gun law concerns that was inspired into existence by the June 12 Pulse massacre in Orlando, the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC, has endorsed Linda Stewart, Beth Tuura and Carlos Guillermo Smith in state races. All the endorsements have gone to Democrats. Stewart is running for […]

Scott PowersSeptember 22, 2016

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona and her husband former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly plan to kick off a 13-state tour in Orlando next week to push for gun law reforms. Giffords, critically injured and nearly killed in a 2011 shooting rampage in Tuscon, Ariz., and Kelly, a retired Navy captain who was commander […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith
Treasure coins from the 1715 fleet wreck. Image via FWC.

City of Orlando delays decision on buying Pulse nightclub until Dec. 5

Amy Mercado, Carlos Guillermo Smith win Florida House seats

Final round-up of the money race in Central Florida’s legislative races

Women’s groups see Hillary Clinton having skirt-tails to help Stephanie Murphy, other women

Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund internet videos to support LGBT state candidates; pushes gun issues

Here’s where the money chase stands in Orlando’s legislative races

Independent candidate Shea Silverman talks about HD 49 race and his self-made game console

Carlos Guillermo Smith not taking independent opponent Shea Silverman for granted

Pride Fund endorses Linda Stewart, Beth Tuura and Carlos Guillermo Smith in state races

Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly, to kick off anti-gun tour in Orlando