Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Susan ClaryNovember 4, 2013

Charlie Crist announced Monday (Nov. 4) that he once again is a candidate for Florida governor. He has been expected to announce his run since last year’s presidential race when he campaigned for President Obama and spoke at the Democratic National Convention. In anticipation, the Republican Party of Florida launched an anti-Crist website – This […]

Dan GelberNovember 4, 2013

As a state legislator and House Democratic Leader I saw Charlie Crist up close for nearly a decade. Frankly, I wanted to find things to criticize. He was a Republican after all. But early on and throughout his term as Florida’s Attorney General and Governor, it became clear that he was a real moderate and […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 3, 2013

The sight of Charlie Crist running for governor as a Democrat should not startle anyone old enough to remember that Richard Nixon went to China and began successful strategic arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union. For such an arch Cold Warrior to come to terms with common sense and necessity was in one of […]

Daniel TilsonOctober 30, 2013

Florida Democratic Party leaders, staffers, grassroots activists, old-school community organizers, new-school social media mavens and assorted behind-the-scenes “bigwigs” all converged in Orlando last weekend for their annual statewide conference. With so much yardage still to gain on electoral and policy-making playing fields dominated for so long by the GOP, Democrats arrived fired up and determined […]

Peter SchorschOctober 28, 2013

If you are involved in Florida politics and have a Facebook page, it’s likely your timeline was dominated by pictures of Charlie Crist working the crowd at the Florida Democratic Party’s state conference. There’s Charlie planting a kiss on the head of likely primary rival Nan Rich! There’s Charlie being trailed by his new entourage of Dan Gelber, […]

Guest AuthorOctober 23, 2013

On Friday (Oct. 25), Democrats from around the state will gather in Orlando for their annual conference. I expect there will be much discussion about Amanda Murphy’s recent win in State House District 36. I do not know if Murphy will be there, but if she is, she will likely be greeted as a rock […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

Florida Democrats have not had a winning gubernatorial candidate since the late Lawton Chiles won a second term in 1994. Whether the outcome will be different next year is debatable because it appears the party will choose a candidate who is not a true Democrat but a former Republican-turned- Independent-turned-Democrat. Suffice it to say that […]

Susan ClaryOctober 22, 2013

Walk into a room of progressive activists anywhere in the state and ask them what they think about former Gov. Charlie Crist. Chances are you wouldn’t get agreement. Democrats either have a crush on the former St. Pete High quarterback, swooning at the idea he may be our next governor, or they act like he’s […]

Bob SparksOctober 21, 2013

Odd numbered years are not a political junkie’s delight. Though millions of Americans may wish otherwise, no U.S. House or Senate members are up for re-election. Florida politicos must satisfy their political appetites through local races or ballot issues. One Florida campaign clearly worth watching is for mayor of St. Petersburg. While this is officially […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 26, 2013

It’s an interesting sign of these confusing political times that general elections tell us as much about political parties as primaries. It used to be that Republicans would gleefully pick off centrist Democrats who were disaffected by their party’s perceived leftward direction. Now it appears that Democrats are returning the favor, capturing centrist Republicans (a […]

Tag: Charlie Crist

Susan Clary: Dems must rally behind winner or risk repeat of 2002

Dan Gelber: I’m for Charlie

Martin Dyckman: Who is the real Crist — and do voters care?

Daniel Tilson: The progressive push that Charlie Crist needs

Peter Schorsch: By sitting on floor, Crist shows the humility Scott administration lacks

Ben Kirby: Prospects for Florida Democrats look promising

Barney Bishop: Democrats finally have a stronger backbench

Susan Clary: If Crist is willing to run, Democrats need to rally behind him

Bob Sparks: Campaign for St. Pete Mayor is worth watching

Cary McMullen: A Republican abandons Rick Scott