Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

In the wake of last year’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, Republicans in the Florida Legislature this year are backing a “Pastor Protection Act.” The bill would prevent clergy members from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies contrary to their principles. On Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee voted on a straight, 7-3 […]

Scott PowersJanuary 13, 2016

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has endorsed Carlos Guillermo Smith in the Orlando-based House District 49 race, Guillermo Smith’s campaign announced Wednesday. Guillermo Smith, like Dyer a Democrat, so far is running unopposed, either in his primary or headed toward the general election. He is seeking to fill the seat currently held by state Rep. Rene […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2016

The year 2015 ended with little competitive balance in campaign money among Central Florida candidates running for Florida House of Representatives seats as incumbents, when they have any competition at all yet. One exception, in Seminole County’s House District 30 has incumbent Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes raising more than $101,000 for his campaign. Yet […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

Equality Florida Development Officer Ida Eskamani says that for her, the personal is the political. “Our personal experiences are directly connected to the greater societal structures of power, privilege and oppression we work to dismantle through political advocacy,” she says when asked what principles she would put above politics. The 25-year-old Orlando resident credits her […]

Frank TorresSeptember 28, 2015

Lawmakers and activists held a rally in East Orlando Monday morning, pushing to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. The rally was centered around a trio of state lawmakers who have accepted the minimum wage challenge, which requires them to live off of $8.05 for one week. “It is something that is necessary for our working […]

Frank TorresAugust 31, 2015

The field of candidates is down to one in House District 49, after one potential challenger said she won’t be running and a filed candidate withdrew over the weekend. Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration regional director Betsy Franceschini confirmed late Friday that she would not be running for the east Orlando seat that includes the University […]

Frank TorresAugust 24, 2015

Carlos Guillermo Smith announced endorsements from 13 sitting Democratic members of the Florida House on Monday morning, in his bid to be the next representative from House District 49. The list includes State Reps. Lori Berman, Randolph Bracy, Dwight Dudley, Joseph Gellar, Evan Jenne, Shevrin Jones, Dave Kerner, Amanda Murphy, Bobby Powell, Kevin Rader, Richard […]

Frank TorresAugust 10, 2015

Orange County Democratic Executive Chairman and House District 49 candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith raised about $12,500 in July to bring his campaign haul to $34,000 for his first two months on the trail. Smith has over $31,000 of it on hand. Smith’s lone opponent Gus Martinez has not had any significant fundraising activity, nor does he […]

Frank TorresJuly 31, 2015

Equality Florida, a civil rights organization dedicated to securing equality for Florida’s LGBT community, has endorsed Carlos Guillermo Smith in the race for Florida House District 49. Smith worked for Equality Florida’s public policy team during this year’s Regular Session. In a message to supporters Equality Florida said, “In 2016, we’ll have a chance to […]

Ryan RayJuly 30, 2015

Sen. Thad Altman became just the second person to file for the state House in 2018 this month, when he filed for the HD 51 seat currently held by term-limited Speaker Steve Crisafulli. An innocuous move at first blush, it could throw off the intricate math behind Rep. Eric Eislanugle‘s bid for the 2021-22 speakership. Altman, a Rockledge […]

Tag: Carlos Guillermo Smith

Contentious “Pastor Protection Act” now moves to Senate floor

Buddy Dyer endorses Carlos Guillermo Smith in HD 49

Bob Cortes’ impressive campaign cash haul almost matched by Ryan Yadav’s self-loans

Meet Ida Eskamani, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Fight for $15 minimum wage rally held in East Orlando

2 possible contenders pass on HD 49 run

Carlos Smith rolls out endorsements from 13 House Democrats in House 49 race

Carlos Smith raises $12.5K during July for HD 49 race

Equality Florida endorses Carlos Smith in HD 49

Thad Altman files for House seat in 2018, shifts Space Coast politics