Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 26, 2017

After Florida Politics’ most recent report about the mostly behind-the-scenes scrum within the Florida House GOP freshman class to determine which of its members will one day be Speaker, the conclusion was that for either Jamie Grant or Frank White to win, one of them would have to drop out of the race quickly. Not much sooner after this was […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 11, 2017

March offered northeast Florida’s state legislators a window to fundraise before the Legislative Session kicked off. Some took advantage of it, such as state Sen. Aaron Bean, who brought in $11,000 via $500 and $1,000 checks on Mar. 6. The Fernandina Beach Republican spent over $7,000 in March, including over $1,000 with Wal-Mart, and $1,497 […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2017

When it comes to Gov. Rick Scott and Northeast Florida, is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? For the fourth time since the beginning of March, Gov. Scott was in Jacksonville Tuesday, as Scott held another “business roundtable” with Mayor Lenny Curry and other Jacksonville notables, including former mayor and UNF President […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

For the second time in a fortnight, Gov. Rick Scott came to Jacksonville on Wednesday to outline the importance of Enterprise Florida. This time, he discussed the Florida Defense Alliance, which has helped bring in grants within the last year to Clay County for academic enrichment and land buffering near Camp Blanding, and Duval via Defense […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

Another round of bad press awaits House members of the Duval County Legislative Delegation on Wednesday. Governor Rick Scott will host a roundtable on Jacksonville’s Westside, discussing Enterprise Florida backed programs that “invest in Florida’s military and defense communities.” Those with memories that extend back a few days will remember that Scott was already here […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2017

A bill that would increase the penalties for certain violent offenses if the defendant is an undocumented immigrant advanced in a Florida House Committee on Monday. The legislation, sponsored by Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle (HB 83), would upgrade penalties for five different violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, including sexual battery, aggravated assault with a […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 20, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott comes to your town to hold a “Fighting for Florida’s Jobs” round table, that means your GOP State Representatives crossed him on an incentive vote. Scott started off March in Rep. Travis Cummings‘ district, where he repeatedly jabbed at Cummings and Rep. Paul Renner for opposing Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. Cummings was just one […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 20, 2017

The best political theater in this state so far this year: arguably, Gov. Rick Scott‘s “Fighting for Florida Jobs” roundtables. Jacksonville gets its version of the roadshow Monday morning at Harbinger Signs in Mandarin. Scott started off March in Rep. Travis Cummings‘ district, where he repeatedly jabbed at Cummings and Rep. Paul Renner for opposing Enterprise Florida and […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

Jacksonville may be Ground Zero for the debate about economic incentives. Local leaders want them, but the local Florida House delegation does not. This week, yet another prominent person in Jacksonville’s City Hall sounded the alarm for state incentives via Enterprise Florida. The Jacksonville Daily Record reports that local OED head Kirk Wendland made the case for […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

No Northeast Florida incumbents face competitive races in 2018. Yet the fundraising continues anyway, as February evidenced. Notable for performance: two Northeast Florida political committees that cleared the $100K threshold for February money. And one Clay County legislator who had a strong month. ____ One of the PACs that hit six figures: “Build Something That […]

With Frank White out of Speaker’s race is Northeast Florida ready to rally to one of its own?

Keith Perry, Audrey Gibson pace northeast Florida fundraising in March

Encore performance: Rick Scott messages economic incentives in Jacksonville

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry talk economic incentives in Jacksonville

Rick Scott returns to Jacksonville Wednesday to push military, defense incentives

Bill that would increase penalties for undocumented violent offenders advances in Florida House

Rick Scott harangues Duval Delegation, pushes incentives in Jacksonville

Rick Scott comes to Jacksonville Monday with message for Duval Delegation

Jacksonville leaders’ arguments for state incentives fall on deaf ears in Tallahassee

Lenny Curry, Rob Bradley committees and Travis Cummings pace Northeast Florida February fundraising