Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 15, 2016

Jupiter Democratic Representative and U.S. Senate hopeful Patrick Murphy has introduced the Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act that would provide resources to state and local governments to help fight the spread of the Zika virus. The bill reauthorizes a lapsed 2003 mosquito-control program and provides $130 million each year for mosquito […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 14, 2016

Several Southwest Florida Republicans have thrown their support behind Francis Rooney. The Naples Republican announced Tuesday several Republican leaders in Collier and Lee counties have endorsed him in his bid to replace Curt Clawson in Congress. The list includes Michel Doherty, a prominent Lee County fundraiser and longtime community leader, and Roz Lesser, the Lee […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 9, 2016

Francis Rooney is hitting the airwaves, releasing his first advertisements of the 2016 election cycle. The Naples Republican released a 30-second television spot Thursday. Rooney is the first candidate to launch an ad campaign in the race to replace Rep. Curt Clawson in the U.S. House. “D.C. insiders from both parties have let us down. We […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 6, 2016

Francis Rooney will support Donald Trump in the 2016 election. “I’m 100 percent for Donald Trump, he’s our nominee,” said Rooney, a Naples Republican running for in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. “We may not know all of the things we’d like to know about Donald Trump. He hasn’t been in this game a long time, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 6, 2016

Calling himself a patriot and conservative, Francis Rooney officially kicked off his campaign for Florida’s 19th Congressional District by promising to fix Washington, D.C. Rooney, the former ambassador to the Holy See and a longtime Bush family supporter, kicked off at Mel’s Diner in Fort Myers on Monday morning. “I’ll fight for you, because we’re […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 6, 2016

Count Byron Donalds out of the race to replace Curt Clawson. Donalds said Friday he does not plan to run for Florida 19th Congressional District seat being vacated by Clawson, a Bonita Springs Republican. Instead, Donalds said he will remain focused on the state House District 80 race. “I believe my time and talent will […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 25, 2016

Count Matt Caldwell out. Caldwell said Wednesday he won’t run in for the Congressional District 19 seat being vacated by Rep. Curt Clawson. Caldwell believes he can best serve Florida from a position in the Florida House. “As I told many this weekend, my overwhelming desire is to have a Congressperson that was competent on […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 23, 2016

Francis Rooney is in. Rooney, the former ambassador to the Holy See and a longtime Republican fundraiser, announced Monday he plans to run for the Congress. The Naples Republican’s announcement will likely clear the field, with several Southwest Floridians saying they were no longer considering a bid. “I have given much thought to public service […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 22, 2016

Two years after announcing his 2014 congressional bid there, Curt Clawson returned to Doc’s Beach House in Bonita Springs to say thank you. Clawson announced Thursday he was not running for re-election in Congressional District 19, saying he wanted to spend more time at home with his ailing father. On Sunday, dozens of supporters crowded […]

Peter SchorschMay 22, 2016

For Lizbeth Benacquisto, it’s will not be deja vu all over again. The Fort Myers Republican released a statement Sunday saying she will not run for the Congressional District 19 seat being vacated by Rep. Curt Clawson. Benacquisto finished second to Clawson in the 2014 special election to replace Trey Radel, who resigned after being […]

Tag: Curt Clawson

Patrick Murphy introduces bill to provide resources to local governments to fight the spread of Zika

Francis Rooney rolls out endorsements from SWFL community leaders

Francis Rooney releases television, radio ads in CD 19 race

Francis Rooney says he will support Donald Trump

Francis Rooney officially kicks off CD 19 bid

Byron Donalds not running for Congress, focusing on HD 80 race

Matt Caldwell passes on CD 19 run

Francis Rooney, former ambassador and prominent Bush supporter, running for CD 19

Curt Clawson on not running for re-election: ‘I just followed my heart’

Lizbeth Benacquisto takes pass on running for Curt Clawson’s congressional seat