Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2018

An attempt by Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith to get the state to provide $1 million to help build a Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando drew some crossover votes from Republicans (including many from Central Florida) but failed in the House Tuesday night. The proposed amendment, which would have added $1 million for […]

Scott PowersMarch 5, 2018

Democrat Neil Henrichsen, a former chair of the Duval County Democrats and founding member of Henrichsen Siegel law firm, has filed to run for House District 27, seeking to take on Republican incumbent state Rep. David Santiago of Deltona. Henrichsen, 55, of Deltona, is the second Democrat into the race. But the other, Tyran Rayaad Basil, has […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2018

A bill aimed at making changes to car dealership regulations stalled out in its second House committee Thursday over objections it was tailored to hand a single industry association a monopoly on dealer training. HB 595 by Naples Republican Rep. Bob Rommel would make changes to various legal definitions relating to car dealers, but a […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 31, 2018

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would require state and local officials to give up their current seat in order to run for federal office. Under the “resign to run” bill, SB 186, candidates would need to resign their current office 10 days before the qualifying period opens in a federal race if the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 15, 2018

With two big fundraising dates in December, Republican state Rep. David Santiago of Deltona raised $30,000 in December, leading all house candidates throughout Central Florida, according to the latest campaign finance reports posted by the state. Santiago, of House District 27 serving western and southern Volusia County, had his third month in a row of […]

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2017

Five Central Florida candidates for the Florida House each raised more than $10,000 for their campaigns in November, including incumbent Republican state Reps. Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, David Santiago, and Bob Cortes along with first-time Democratic candidate Anna Eskamani. Olszewski of Winter Garden, who took his seat after winning a special election in October, reported raising […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Scott PowersSeptember 26, 2017

State Reps. Rene Plasencia and Bob Cortes announced the creation of a bipartisan legislative team starting with two dozen Florida lawmakers seeking ways to assist Puerto Rico in its recovery from Hurricane Maria. Besides Cortes and Plasencia, Central Florida Republicans who both have Puerto Rico heritage, the “FL2PR Response Team” also includes Republican David Santiago […]

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2017

Florida state Reps. Bob Cortes, Rene Plasencia, and David Santiago are headed to Puerto Rico Wednesday for continuing talks on developing relationships between the commonwealth’s government and Florida’s government. The trio of Central Florida Republicans all have Puerto Rico heritage and represent districts with large populations of Puerto Rican migrants. Cortes is from Altamonte Springs; […]

Scott PowersJuly 7, 2017

Faced with a potentially-serious Republican nomination challenger, David Smith dropped another $25,000 loan into his campaign for what will be an open seat in Florida House District 28. Smith’s June 30 loan was augmented by $2,963 in fundraising in June, giving him $100,855 in total contributions and loans. He had primed his campaign when he […]

Tag: david santiago
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Carlos Smith’s $1M Pulse memorial amendment draws some Republicans, but fails

Democrat Neil Henrichsen enters HD 27 race in Volusia County

Car dealer bill stalls in House committee

Senate advances ‘resign to run’ bill

David Santiago raises $30K for HD 27 campaign, leading all Central Florida candidates

Bobby Olszewski, Rene Plasencia, Anna Eskamani, lead Central Florida House campaign gains

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Bipartisan Florida for Puerto Rico legislative effort assembled

David Santiago, Rene Plasencia, Bob Cortes headed for Puerto Rico for talks

David Smith pours another $25,000 personal money into his HD 28 race, topping Central Florida races