Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2016

State Sen. David Simmons, re-elected in June when no one filed to run against him in Seminole County’s Senate District 9, is airing TV commercials in Orlando for three weeks thanking voters and urging people to put aside political differences and come together during the holidays. Simmons spent $150,000 on the effort, having Southern Campaign […]

Jim RosicaNovember 16, 2016

Senate President-designate Joe Negron on Tuesday released his chamber’s proposed rules for 2016-18, which didn’t contain the strict provisions of their House counterparts. But the Stuart Republican, set to officially take over next week, still told members in a memo to “review the attached documents carefully” since “the adoption of rules is a significant matter.” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 27, 2016

The political committee formed to help Republican state Senate candidates raised more than $5 million since April. State records show the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee raised nearly $5.2 million between April 1 and Aug. 25. The committee is led by Senate President Designate Joe Negron, and was set up by Senate leaders to raise money for […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 1, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto raised more than $50,000 in June, bring her total fundraising haul to more than $300,000. State records show Benacquisto raised $52,600 between June 1 and June 24. The three-week haul brings the Fort Myers Republican’s fundraising total to $306,571. Benacquisto received $1,000 donations from “Working for Florida’s Families,” the political committee backing Sen. Ron […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 24, 2016

You might want to call them instant winners. As of 5 p.m. Friday, a dozen Florida Senate candidates appeared to win their elections when the qualifying period ended without them drawing opposition. Newcomers Lauren Book and George Gainer were among those candidates who did not draw an opponent. Gainer, a Bay County Republican, ran unopposed […]

Scott PowersJune 24, 2016

State Sen. David Simmons has earned another term, as the only candidate who qualified for election in the newly-drawn state Senate District 9. When qualifying closed at noon Friday, Simmons was the only candidate who had filed to run in SD 9, which covers most of Seminole County. He qualified on Monday. Just in case, […]

Drew WilsonJune 7, 2016

George Gainer, Lauren Book and incumbent Sen. David Simmons continued to coast in fundraising last month, according to newly filed campaign finance reports. Simmons raised $126,072 last month, which accounts for more than half of the money the Altamonte Springs Republican has raised since filing for re-election back in September. Among the 213 contributions were […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

HD 16 Republican Dick Kravitz promised, early on in his campaign to succeed term-limited Charles McBurney, that the money would come through when he needed it. And April gives proof to that claim. $13,250 of new money brought Kravitz’s total raised up to $91,275. The veteran Jacksonville politico has only spent $9,490 thus far, leaving him […]

Scott PowersApril 5, 2016

A boat registered to state Sen. David Simmons‘ company crashed on Lake Maitland early Tuesday. Three people were reported injured, including his daughter when the boat crashed into a dock. Simmons was at home and was not aware the boat was being used, he said. Simmons, a Republican from Altamonte Springs, said the craft was registered […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America said it was disappointed lawmakers capped off the 2016 Legislative Session without passing insurance regulations for Uber and Lyft drivers. “Twenty-nine other states have passed legislation addressing insurance coverage requirements for TNCs, and it is past time for Florida to do the same,” the group said in a […]

Tag: David Simmons

David Simmons buys TV time to thank voters

Florida Senate light on lobbying in new rules

Florida Republicans state Senate campaign arm raises more than $5M ahead of primaries

Lizbeth Benacquisto raises more than $50K in SD 27 race

Instant winners aplenty in Florida Senate races

David Simmons wins new term in SD 9 for lack of opposition

Senate campaigns of David Simmons, Lauren Book, George Gainer post impressive May fundraising reports

HD 16 Republican Dick Kravitz posts strong April, still trails Jason Fischer

Maitland boat registered to David Simmons’ company in accident; family member injured

Property Casualty Insurers “disappointed” by failure to pass ride-sharing regulation