Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftyJune 8, 2017

Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven said he will run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. The grandson of the late citrus baron and one-time gubernatorial candidate, Ben Hill Griffin Jr., Troutman will enter the competitive race to succeed Adam Putnam, a Bartow Republican who is term-limited and is running for governor. “I will file […]

Scott PowersMay 30, 2017

Winter Garden-based Knox Medical is set to open Orlando’s first medical marijuana dispensary Friday in a location near Florida Hospital’s downtown campus. Knox is one of nine companies statewide licensed to produce and sell medicines derived from cannabis. Knox has been in operation for several months, relying primarily on delivery service, and earlier this month […]

Scott PowersMarch 10, 2017

Republican candidate David Smith has started his run for Florida House District 28 with a personal $25,000 loan to his campaign. Smith, of Winter Springs, is running to replace state Rep. Jason Brodeur, who is term-limited out in 2018, in a district that covers east Seminole County. The former Marine colonel and modeling and simulation […]

Scott PowersFebruary 3, 2017

The social fallout from Puerto Rico’s multi-fasceted financial crisis must be dealt with in more immediate ways in Central Florida where so much of the diaspora is fleeing, a panel of scholars urged key Puerto Rican political leaders in Orlando Friday. Their call for concern for recognizing, assisting, and empowering Puerto Ricans settling by the […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 11, 2017

Tim Giuliani has been tapped as the new head of Central Florida’s soon-to-be-announced economic development/chamber group. The organization will be officially named in March, and its purpose will be to oversee “strategic efforts to bring more high-wage jobs to Central Florida while promoting and enhancing the region’s dynamic business climate and quality of life,” according to […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2017

A before-and-after time line now exists for Orlando – June 12, 2016 – and on this side of the Pulse massacre the city may be seen by the world and through its own citizens’ eyes as a very different place, with a new political perspective. Before June 12, Orlando was a city without an an […]

Larry GriffinSeptember 12, 2016

At a fundraising breakfast Monday morning at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Winter Park, 7th Congressional District incumbent John Mica warned of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) trying to “buy” the election for his challenger, Stephanie Murphy. And it was the supporters of his campaign, he stressed, that could stop that from happening. Mica was introduced by […]

Scott PowersSeptember 2, 2016

Many of Central Florida’s November election contests likely were decided in Tuesday’s primary, because of the strong partisan leans of voters or the apparent mismatches of nominees, but there are a few that will be worth watching this fall if for no other reason than absolute entertainment. Reflecting the gains Democrats have made in voter […]

Scott PowersAugust 4, 2016

The political action arm of the Central Florida chambers of commerce, BusinessForce, announced several endorsements for legislative races in Central Florida Thursday. “These endorsements send a strong signal to our region’s business community and recognize the legislative candidates who are best equipped to support and serve our region in Tallahassee after this election,” Craig Swygert, […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2016

The National Federation of Independent Business announced its endorsements in Central Florida’s Florida House and Senate races Thursday, backing all Republicans, and all incumbents. However, the group, which is Florida’s largest small-business association, did not offer endorsements in all races. The NFIB endorsed Dean Asher in Senate District 13. Asher has won the nomination and […]

Tag: Central Florida

Baxter Troutman entering competitive Agriculture Commissioner race

Knox to open Orlando’s first medical marijuana dispensary Friday

David Smith starts Florida House run with $25K loan; David Santiago, Mike La Rosa raise $21K

Puerto Rico crisis panel brings it home to Florida

New Central Florida economic development and chamber group names Tim Giuliani as CEO

Politics in Orlando now takes place in a post-Pulse city

John Mica, warning of coming DCCC challenge, rallies supporters to help him win at fundraiser breakfast

Previewing the hot general election campaigns in Central Florida

BusinessForce endorses Randolph Bracy, Bob Healy, Greg Jackson, Brian Hodgers, Randy Fine in Central Florida

Small business group makes endorsements in CF House, Senate races