Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 22, 2017

Republican state Rep. Mike Miller is considering running for Congress in Florida’s 7th Congressional District against incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy next year. Miller, in his second full term as a state representative from Winter Park in a state district that includes a large swath of CD 7, said Thursday he is “strongly considering” […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

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Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Susie Plakon, wife of state Rep. Scott Plakon, was honored Thursday for inspiring HB 883 for the creation of a memory disorder clinic at Florida Hospital – a victory for a woman who is herself battling Alzheimer’s Disease. The Florida-based hospital unveiled a plaque Thursday declaring, “Florida Hospital proudly honors Susie Plakon for her courage […]

Mitch PerryApril 27, 2017

Two weeks ago, the Florida House spent more than three hours debating a bill to attract specialized, high-performing charter schools to Florida as an alternative to struggling public schools. On Thursday, with time running out in the 2017 Session, teacher union officials, educators and activists denounced the controversial $200 million spending plan (HB 1505) at […]

Scott PowersApril 20, 2017

Republican state Sen. David Simmons sharply condemned racist and vulgar comments made earlier this week by state Sen. Frank Artiles. The behavior is nothing new, Simmons said, but he puts his faith in the Senate’s due process to determine a judgment by the body. Simmons, of Altamonte Springs, then suggested that Artiles’ behavior might be […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

It’s never too early in the day to start fundraising. Sen. Denise Grimsley is scheduled to hold a fundraising reception for her 2018 bid for Agriculture Commissioner at 7:30 a.m. on March 7 at Florida Finance Strategies, 111-B East College Avenue in Tallahassee. The reception, according to a copy of the invitation, is hosted by […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2017

Driving like Arnold Palmer may soon take on a new meaning in Orlando. The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill Tuesday to rename about four miles of State Road 408 as the “Arnold Palmer Expressway,” honoring the legendary golfer and longtime Orlando snowbird resident who died last September. “As you know Arnold Palmer was not […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 19, 2017

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Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper is assembling an impressive number of high-profile state lawmakers for a Tallahassee reception next month. Hooper, a former state representative, is seeking the open Senate District 16 seat currently held by Jack Latvala. Hooper’s campaign fundraiser will be Monday, March 6, from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Governors Club, 202 South Adams […]

Scott PowersJanuary 18, 2017

While giving his blessing to state Rep. Jason Brodeur to run for his current post, state Sen. David Simmons says he’s weighing his options to go after the Florida attorney general’s post, Florida’s 7th Congressional District seat, which Democrats just flipped, or staying full-time with his growing law firm. The attorney general option could come sooner […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2017

A before-and-after time line now exists for Orlando – June 12, 2016 – and on this side of the Pulse massacre the city may be seen by the world and through its own citizens’ eyes as a very different place, with a new political perspective. Before June 12, Orlando was a city without an an […]

Tag: David Simmons
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Mike Miller looking at run for Congress in CD 7

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069

Susie Plakon honored for role in passing HB 883 for memory disorder clinic

Teachers, activists in Tampa blast ‘schools of hope’ legislation

David Simmons condemns Frank Artiles comments; calls for due process, suggests PTSD might be factor

Bring on the orange juice: Denise Grimsley schedules breakfast fundraiser for March 7

‘Arnold Palmer Expressway’ designation gets committee nod

Impressive roster of GOP leaders line up for Ed Hooper fundraiser

David Simmons weighing Florida attorney general, congressional runs

Politics in Orlando now takes place in a post-Pulse city