Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 11, 2015

Marco Rubio emerged unscathed. Ben Carson defended his integrity. Donald Trump flashed his dominant personality. And Jeb Bush avoided disaster. Mission accomplished. Aided by tentative questioning, the GOP’s top presidential candidates executed their strategies with little resistance in Tuesday night’s prime-time debate. Yet with no breakout moments — good or bad — the muddled status […]

Associated PressNovember 9, 2015

While the presidential campaign commands the public’s attention, political parties and financial contributors are quietly preparing for another less glitzy yet significant set of elections a year from now — battles to determine control of dozens of state legislative chambers. National Republican and Democratic groups have set record-high fundraising goals as they try to influence […]

Jac VerSteegOctober 19, 2015

In his recent entertaining column on Context Florida my former boss, Tom O’Hara, reported from The Associated Press Legislative Planning Session in Tallahassee that Gov. Rick Scott’s central message was: “It’s the year of the manufacturer.” I agree with Scott. But I am not attaching quite the same meaning to his words as the governor […]

Jac VerSteegOctober 18, 2015

In his recent entertaining column on Context Florida my former boss, Tom O’Hara, reported from The Associated Press Legislative Planning Session in Tallahassee that Gov. Rick Scott’s central message was: “It’s the year of the manufacturer.” I agree with Scott. But I am not attaching quite the same meaning to his words as the governor […]

Bob SparksOctober 15, 2015

The end of the process for redrawing Florida’s congressional districts is in sight. It may be one cycle late, but if the Florida Supreme Court rules favorably on the recommended final map, candidates and potential candidates can make informed decisions. Last week, Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis signed off on one of seven maps […]

Bob SparksOctober 8, 2015

Fifteen months before the presidential election, New Hampshire and Iowa is where the action is. That is true every four years. Winning the nomination and the general election requires a strong performance in several key states. In 2016, the next president will have won at least two of a group of three swing states that […]

Guest AuthorOctober 6, 2015

It’s the second answer to the famous line “only two things in life are certain.” No subject is possibly more confusing, more infuriating, and at the same time more consequential to the American public than that of taxes. The Bible contains about 700,000 words. The federal tax code? More than 3.7 million. Albert Einstein once […]

Guest AuthorOctober 5, 2015

It’s the second answer to the famous line “only two things in life are certain.” No subject is possibly more confusing, more infuriating, and at the same time more consequential to the American public than that of taxes. The Bible contains about 700,000 words. The federal tax code? More than 3.7 million. Albert Einstein once […]

Bob SparksOctober 1, 2015

John Boehner sure knows how to make news. At least he waited until Pope Francis left Washington before he dropped his resignation bombshell last week. The soon-to-be-former Speaker set off a media and Capitol frenzy with his Friday announcement. Boehner’s decision elicited respectful reflection from one side matched by jubilation from the conservative wing of the […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 27, 2015

There is a right, smart way to take on Republican Marco Rubio and there is a dumb, ineffective way to challenge him. What you are seeing out of Donald Trump this week – attacking the first-term U.S. senator and former speaker of the Florida House as a “disloyal” and “sweaty” “lightweight” – is the latter. […]

Tag: democrats

Analysis: No breakouts in GOP debate; muddled status quo

Big spending expected for nation’s state legislative races in 2016

Jac VerSteeg: Manufacturing lies is keeping campaigns alive

Jac VerSteeg: Manufacturing lies is keeping campaigns alive

Bob Sparks: Even Florida’s nonpartisan congressional maps are deemed unfair

Bob Sparks: When likability and the desire for leadership and experience collide

Sal Nuzzo: Tax hike hurts charitable givers, retirement investors, scholarship recipients

Sal Nuzzo: Tax hike hurts charitable givers, retirement investors, scholarship recipients

Bob Sparks: Dan Webster runs for Speaker; for whom will Gwen Graham vote?

Peter Schorsch: How to effectively take on Marco Rubio