Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksJuly 9, 2015

A great deal of column-inch space and cable television time lately is devoted daily to Donald Trump. His controversial comments are analyzed, dissected and put before other candidates. “Do you (fill in GOP presidential candidate’s name) condemn Trump’s comments about undocumented immigrants?” Another regular subject of speculation is whether Trump is damaging the GOP brand. […]

Marc YachtJuly 8, 2015

Walkin’ Lawton Chiles may be the last of Florida’s governors who cared about Florida through action. He showed genuine concern for local families. During his tenure, necessary human service programs expanded, the environment had effective regulatory programs, public health flourished with strong programs regulating food service, sanitation, infectious disease, and maternal and child health. I […]

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2015

A couple of weeks ago, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn made his way up to Tallahassee, because, who wouldn’t in late June? Actually Hizzoner was in the state capital to give a speech at the Tallahassee Tiger Bay Club. He also made an appearance on The Usual Suspects, the local public affairs program, where the idea that […]

Mitch PerryJuly 6, 2015

Although lawmakers are never pleased when their projects are vetoed out of the state budget, Don Gaetz says the way Gov. Rick Scott handled those vetoes last month still rankles him. “I’ve always had vetoes of projects that I was interested in,” the Niceville senator said of bills axed by Govs. Jeb Bush and Charlie […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

As part of a run of several new appointees to state boards and agencies, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he has picked retired Florida National Guard Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett for the board that oversees the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The governor’s office noted that Burnett, a 70-year-old resident of St. Augustine, is […]

Bob SparksJune 25, 2015

The Florida Senate and several communities hoping to receive state money for local projects or programs are unhappy. The public food fight between legislative chambers and the governor was an embarrassment that could have serious ramifications. A governor’s use of line-item veto authority is often likened to a surgeon conducting delicate surgery with a scalpel. […]

Mitch PerryJune 24, 2015

Jeb Bush likes to boast on the campaign trail that he used to be called “Veto Corleone,” so paramount was his mission to stamp out what he considered excessive and unnecessary government spending from the annual state budget while he was Florida’s governor. Bush has nothing on Rick Scott. The current Florida governor on Tuesday […]

Phil AmmannJune 23, 2015

More than a few high-profile Tampa Bay Democrats will be joining Gwen Graham for a major fundraiser next week to help her re-election effort in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The $250-per-person reception will be Tuesday, June 30, beginning 5:30 p.m. at the home of former Democratic state Sen. Pat Frank, who now serves as Hillsborough […]

Guest AuthorJune 18, 2015

Marco Rubio must be smiling. The baby-faced U.S. senator and presidential hopeful is having the best two weeks of his life. Not only did he get needlessly razed by the arch-liberal New York Times in two attack pieces, he’s also receiving the cold shoulder by everybody’s who’s somebody in Florida’s Republican establishment. According to CNN, […]

Phil AmmannJune 16, 2015

A group of Tampa-area Democrats, including the last three Democratic nominees for governor, are hosting a June 28 Tampa fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s 2016 Senate campaign. Charlie Crist, Alex Sink and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis join Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, former state Sen. Betty Castor and other high-profile Democrats at the Hyde […]

Tag: Charlie Crist

Bob Sparks: Establishment Democrats hope Alan Grayson campaign dies quickly

Marc Yacht: Florida takes a slow, sad slide under Rick Scott

In Tallahassee TV appearance, Bob Buckhorn makes case to be governor

Don Gaetz still vexed by some Rick Scott vetoes

Rick Scott appoints Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett to UNF board

Bob Sparks: 2015 leaves Florida Republicans in a dangerous place for 2016

Mitch Perry Report for 6.24.15 — Rick Scott wins again

Democratic power roster to help re-elect Gwen Graham with June 30 Tampa fundraiser

Chris Timmons: Marco Rubio, the insurgent

Tampa Democrats, including Gov. nominees, to hold Patrick Murphy funder June 28