Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Drew WilsonJune 18, 2018

New candidates filed Monday for three Republican-held seats in the state Legislature. In Senate District 2, Fort Walton Beach Democrat Mary Jeanne “Gigi” Gibson is challenging Panama City Republican Sen. George Gainer. Gibson is currently Gainer’s only real challenger — Pensacola Republican Jantzen Craine has had his name down to run for the seat since 2015, but has not […]

Phil AmmannJune 5, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: George Fossett is no longer legislative assistant for Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Oscar Braynon. On: Lurimar Cruz-Cortes is a new legislative assistant for Kissimmee Democratic Sen. Victor Torres. Off: Lara Medley is […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 14, 2018

Jacksonville’s local Fraternal Order of Police went bipartisan with its latest swath of endorsements for the state House, including choosing a Democrat over a field of Republicans running to replace Jay Fant. In House District 15, the FOP endorsed Tracye Polson over Republicans Wyman Duggan, Joseph Hogan, and Mark Zeigler. The language of the endorsement lauded Polson’s “dedication to her […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2018

April told a familiar story in House Districts 11 and 12, where Republican incumbents Cord Byrd and Clay Yarborough expanded leads over Democratic challengers. In HD 11, Byrd raised $3,470 in April, bringing his cash on hand to $38,500. Among his donors: the Fiorentino Group. While less than $40,000 cash on hand doesn’t sound like much, thus […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 11, 2018

March was a tepid month of fundraising for most Jacksonville area candidates, with the exception of one state House race. In HD 15, on the Democratic side, unopposed Tracye Polson reports a combined March fundraising total of $30,821. She’s raised $174,103 between her campaign and political committee accounts, with $113,635 on hand. Jacksonville land use attorney […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 13, 2018

February offered a unique opportunity for people running against incumbents, who can’t fundraise during the Legislative Session, to make up ground in fundraising. But — at least in competitive Northeast Florida races — they didn’t take up the gauntlet. Senate SD 4: Incumbent Aaron Bean couldn’t fundraise in February, and has $88,000 cash on hand in his […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 8, 2018

Wednesday saw HB 7026 pass the Florida House by a 67-50 margin. The $400 million gun and school safety proposal will fund demolition of a building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 14 students and three teachers were gunned down on Valentine’s Day. It also includes gun-control provisions banning the sale of bump […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 25, 2018

A group supporting a wave of first-time candidates for elected office took out a full-page ad in the Sunday edition of the Sun-Sentinel calling on Floridians to run against NRA-backed state lawmakers in 2018. The Run for Something ad states “The NRA is killing our kids” at the top and then includes an sheet with […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 31, 2018

The Republican-controlled Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would make it easier for individuals suspected in a disorderly conduct case to get their seized guns back. Under state law, a law enforcement officer has to take away the firearm found on a person who is arrested in a disorderly conduct cases, including domestic […]

Tag: Cord Byrd

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

North Florida lawmakers draw re-election challengers as qualifying begins

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Jacksonville police union goes bipartisan with latest State House endorsements

Cord Byrd, Clay Yarborough extend fundraising leads over Democratic challengers

Slow fundraising in March for Northeast Florida legislative candidates

Slow February in Northeast Florida legislative race fundraising

Duval House members had their reasons for opposing gun, school safety bill

Run for Something ad highlights unopposed Florida lawmakers with NRA ties

House votes to make it easier to return guns to certain suspects