Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 16, 2018

A four-volume, plain-spoken treatise on criminal justice reform is available to the public and it’s already caught the eyes of some legislators looking to reform Florida’s criminal justice system. “Reforming Criminal Justice” recently was published by the Academy for Justice, a group of 120 leading criminal justice scholars representing some of the best higher education […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2018

A bill to repeal the state’s tobacco bond cap is moving in the Florida House. Whether it’s fair is another story. The measure (HB 6017), carried by GOP Rep. Cord Byrd of Neptune Beach, cleared its first committee last week by a unanimous 14-0 vote and moves to Appropriations. A companion bill (SB 124) is in the Senate. The […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2018

In Northeast Florida December fundraising for State House races, unopposed incumbents kept trucking, while the race for HD 15 remained competitive in fundraising. HD 11: Incumbent Cord Byrd, a Jacksonville Beach Republican, brought in $12,400 to push him to $29,700 cash on hand. Among the donors backing the unopposed lawyer: the Geo Group. HD 12: […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 2, 2018

In 2016, Cord Byrd, Clay Yarborough and Jason Fischer overcame competitive GOP primaries to win nominations — despite powerful interests and strong candidates going against each of them in the process. The general elections, in each of their districts, lacked drama: all three beat write-in candidates, garnering over 90 percent of the vote. We asked the […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 12, 2017

Some Northeast Florida state House candidates and incumbents posted stronger fundraising than others in November. Below, the tally in each district. The highlights: strong months for Republican incumbents Clay Yarborough, Jason Fischer and Cyndi Stevenson. Meanwhile, in the most interesting race in the region, Democrat Tracye Polson continues to keep pace with Republican Wyman Duggan in House District 15. ____ In […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2017

A new bill proposed in the Florida House would offer people with “legal disabilities” a road to restoration of civil rights. HB 903, filed by Jacksonville Beach state Rep. Cord Byrd, would offer remedies for those whose civil rights were suspended after felony convictions. Currently, a pardon or a restoration of civil rights is possible. Byrd’s bill […]

Tag: Cord Byrd
Kathleen King and Joe Gruters. Image via Max Goodman.

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

Criminal justice report given to legislators will guide reform

Tobacco bond cap bill clears House panel—but is it fair?

Few surprises in Northeast Florida House fundraising for December

Northeast Florida lawmakers preview 2018 Legislative Session

Northeast Florida state House fundraising paced by Republican incumbents

Cord Byrd bill addresses ‘broken system’ of civil rights restoration