Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 15, 2016

This is the year that Central Florida gays step boldly into the political spotlight, joining an increasingly large outpouring of gay candidates statewide. Four openly gay Orlando-area Democratic candidates are running for election in federal and state races this year; Valleri Crabtree in Florida’s 9th Congressional District centered in south Orlando and Kissimmee; Bob Poe in […]

Scott PowersAugust 11, 2016

After having promised to help following the Pulse massacre, U.S. Sen Marco Rubio has turned his back on Orlando’s pain and added to it by appearing at a controversial conference laced with anti-gay speakers, protesters charged outside that conference Thursday. “Shame on you Marco!” was a message repeated by speaker after speaker, including by Barbara […]

Scott PowersAugust 9, 2016

Christian-conservative media and the American Renewal Project are reporting Tuesday that Donald Trump intends to make a “surprise” visit to the same Florida Renewal Project conference in Orlando that is getting U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio assailed by Florida’s gay community. The American Renewal Project is organizing the conference. Its webpage on Tuesday added a link to a Circa.com […]

Scott PowersAugust 8, 2016

Susannah Randolph is the only Central Florida congressional candidate to get endorsed by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida and Rick Roach the only Florida Senate candidate from the Orlando area. The group also endorsed both Florida House Democrats running in the House District 48 race, Amy Mercado and Alex Barrio; and also backed Carlos Guillermo […]

Scott PowersJuly 1, 2016

Democratic candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith got through the candidate filing period with no primary opponent and only an independent waiting in the November election for Florida House District 49, but still had a nice campaign finance haul in June. Smith’s campaign reported raising $9,051 in the June period ending June 24, and spent $5,690, leaving him with […]

Scott PowersJune 24, 2016

In what has been a frantic last day of filing and qualifying for Florida House of Representatives, Republican state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle of Windermere appears to have won re-election in House District 44. More than five hours after the close of qualifying, Eisnaugle’s anticipated Democratic opponent, David Trotter of Orlando, has not qualified. If that holds […]

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2016

Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith has crossed the six-figure fundraising mark in his campaign for the open House District 49 seat. Smith, the one-time Chief of Staff for former HD 49 Rep. Joe Saunders, raised $15,325 in May for a campaign total of $108,355. After expenditures, he entered June with just under $80,000 on hand. Most of the May […]

Scott PowersJune 2, 2016

Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith‘s campaign raised more than $15,000 in May for his run in Orlando-based House District 49, making him one of the first House candidates to top the $100,000 campaign finance mark. A year after Smith formally entered the race — Republican incumbent state Rep. Rene Plasencia decided to switch to House District 50 — […]

Mitch PerryMay 13, 2016

Well, so much for that much-anticipated San Antonio-Golden State NBA Western Final. Congrats to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who took down the Spurs in six. Gotta love the unexpected. Today the Republican Party of Florida hosts the first of a two-day spring meeting in Tampa. I just realized the Republicans always hold these type of […]

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2016

House District 49 Democratic candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith is calling for a statewide decriminalization of marijuana, following the passage of similar measures in other municipalities in Florida over the past year. Smith made the declaration while testifying before the Orlando City Council on Monday, which was debating a local ordinance which calls for fining individuals found to be in possession […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

The year of the openly gay candidate in Central Florida and other parts of Florida

Orlando’s LGBT community calls shame on Marco Rubio

Donald Trump to attend same Christian-right conference for which Marco Rubio is being assailed

Susannah Randolph, Rick Roach get progressive Democrats’ backing

Carlos Guillermo Smith continues solid fundraising in HD 49

Eric Eisnaugle wins another term in busy Central Florida House race filings

Carlos Smith maintains fundraising lead in HD 49, adds $15K in May

Carlos Guillermo Smith announces $15K haul in May for HD 49 race

Mitch Perry Report for 5.13.16 – Friday 13th edition

HD 49 Dem candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith calls for statewide marijuana decriminalization