Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

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Jeremiah Hawkes, formerly a top official under Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, is now general counsel of the Florida Senate, its spokeswoman said Friday. Hawkes, who started Monday, will be paid $135,000 a year. He replaces Dawn Roberts, who served as the Senate’s top lawyer under outgoing Senate President Joe Negron. Roberts is returning to her […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 8, 2017

A freshman House Democrat wants the Legislature to have zero involvement in investigations into Sen. Jack Latvala‘s alleged sexual harassment of six women at the Capitol. Rep. Amy Mercado of Orlando on Wednesday said the only “equitable” investigation for both the accused and the alleged victims excludes any involvement from each chamber. She took part in a […]

Ana CeballosNovember 5, 2017

After six women anonymously accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexually harassing and groping them, at least five women who have worked closely with the powerful senator have come to his defense. The allegations against Latvala, a Republican candidate for governor who turned 66 Friday, range from him grabbing a female lobbyist’s buttocks to making unsolicited […]

Peter SchorschNovember 4, 2017

Senate General Counsel Dawn Roberts is recusing herself from the sexual harassment investigation of budget chief Jack Latvala, citing years of a professional relationship with the Clearwater Republican Senate President Joe Negron ordered an investigation Friday evening into allegations published by POLITICO Florida that Latvala sexually harassed or groped six unnamed women staffers and Senate […]

Michael MolineMay 4, 2017

Could someone in the Senate please ask Kevin Rader to knock it off? That’s the gist of a letter Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews wrote to Senate general counsel Dawn Roberts last week. “Would you kindly ask Sen. Rader to stop disseminating my client’s picture around the Capitol on stationery that bears the Senate’s seal?” Andrews […]

Phil AmmannApril 22, 2017

Marco Rubio has ‘no doubt’ state Sen. Frank Artiles‘ did the right thing by resigning from the Florida Legislature Friday in the wake of a racist and sexist outburst against two lawmakers. Elected officials are rightfully “held to a different standard,” Rubio said. “You hold a public trust, you are a representative of those districts, and you are going […]

Jim RosicaApril 21, 2017

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Sen. Audrey Gibson on Thursday publicly responded to fellow Sen. Frank Artiles‘ racially-charged invective aimed at her earlier this week, saying she’s unsure she can be “comfortable” continuing to serve with Artiles in the Senate. Gibson appeared at a press conference with Sen. Perry Thurston and a group of Tallahassee-area pastors at the city’s Bethel Missionary Baptist […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 20, 2017

A lawyer representing a state senator who could be punished for using a racial slur and other vulgarities said Thursday that the remarks — as offensive as they were — are protected by free speech and that other senators have used similar language. Tallahassee attorney Steve Andrews wrote to the Senate lawyer reviewing the case […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2017

The head of the NAACP Florida State Conference is calling for state Sen. Frank Artiles to step down. The organization “stands fully behind the Florida Legislative Black Caucus … and several groups who have called for the resignation of Miami Senator Frank Artiles,” said Adora Obi Nweze, president of Florida’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2017

Senate Rules Chair Lizbeth Benacquisto has appointed the chamber’s top lawyer to investigate a complaint by next Tuesday seeking to remove Sen. Frank Artiles from office. Senate President Joe Negron announced the move Wednesday in a memo to senators. Benacquisto “found that the complaint states facts supporting a finding of probable cause,” meaning it’s more likely […]

Tag: Dawn Roberts
Image via AP.

Personnel note: Jeremiah Hawkes now state Senate’s top lawyer

Amy Mercado: Legislature should recuse from harassment investigations

Jack Latvala allies come to his defense after sexual harassment claims

Senate Counsel to recuse from Jack Latvala investigation, calls for 3rd party

Steve Andrews getting involved in Kevin Rader’s crusade against lobbyist

Marco Rubio: With ‘higher standard’ for lawmakers, Frank Artiles was right to resign

Audrey Gibson responds to Frank Artiles’ ‘horrific’ tirade

Lawyer: Frank Artiles’ racial slurs offensive, but also free speech

Florida’s NAACP joins those calling for Frank Artiles’ resignation

Senate sets tight timeline on Frank Artiles investigation