Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersApril 24, 2017

More than a dozen Democratic Florida House members have formed the Progressive Legislative Caucus, with firebrand state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando elected as its first chair. The caucus held its organization meeting last week with Smith becoming chair, state Rep. Amy Mercado of Orlando vice chair, and state Rep. Joseph Abruzzo of Boca […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

A great deal has already been said about the yes-he-really-said-it Frank Artiles saga. And there seems to be near-universal agreement on these points: — Artiles is a world-class jerk. — What he said goes far beyond the limits of acceptable. — This was not his first foray into the unacceptable. — Artiles needs professional help. […]

Darryl PaulsonApril 14, 2017

The Era of Good Feelings is the term used to describe the aftermath of the War of 1812 where the American nation sought to establish national unity during a period of one-party dominance. The Federalist Party, representing the urban and aristocratic citizens, disappeared after the disastrous Hartford Convention in 1814, leaving only the Jeffersonian Republicans […]

Joe HendersonMarch 29, 2017

The words “green space” can have a different meaning depending on the person involved. Democrats generally believe green space to mean protected grasslands, pristine parks, waterways, and regulations to keep companies from belching pollutants into the atmosphere. Republicans generally appear to believe green space is a metaphor for money that can be made by paving […]

Scott PowersMarch 28, 2017

After losing a judge’s ruling Tuesday on her request to remain the prosecutor for the murder trial of of alleged cop-killer Markeith Loyd, Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala vowed Tuesday to continue fighting for her right to represent the state in that case. Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Frederick Lauten ruled Tuesday that the state […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

Bill Nelson ended any suspense there may have been regarding his views of President Donald Trump‘s first Supreme Court nominee. Florida’s Democratic senator intends to vote no on the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch. Nelson also announced Monday he also would support a Democratic filibuster, by voting against likely Republican efforts to invoke cloture to prevent a filibuster. […]

Scott PowersMarch 23, 2017

Florida voters can expect to receive mailers from a veterans group with Republican ties urging them to urge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson to vote to confirm Neil Gorsuch as a Supreme Court justice. The group Veterans Concerned for America, run by a former GOP state finance chairman, is making a second round of mailings to […]

Scott PowersMarch 21, 2017

The Orange County Democratic Party announced late Tuesday its executive committee has unanimously backed Orlando State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s decision to not pursue the death penalty in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit. Orange County Democratic Chairman Wes Hodge said more than 200 people attended the Monday night meeting at which the committee passed two resolutions; one […]

Scott PowersMarch 21, 2017

Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala has gotten her first significant backing from within her own party, with a resolution supporting her and her actions from the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida. The group announced Tuesday it has passed a resolution expressing “its support for Aramis Ayala’s right to exercise her prosecutorial discretion when deciding whether […]

Scott PowersMarch 6, 2017

State Sen. Victor Torres has introduced a bill to force call center operators to give extended notices if they intend to shut down or move call-center jobs out of state or overseas. The Orlando Democrat filed Senate Bill 1632 to require call centers that reduce their staffs by more than 30 days relocate outside of […]

Tag: democrats
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

House forms first-ever Legislative Progressive Caucus

How Frank Artiles colleagues should respond to his defiance

Darryl Paulson: The Era of Bad Feelings

Joe Henderson: Concern for the environment really depends on which party is in charge

Aramis Ayala loses judge’s ruling but pushes forward to challenge case reassignment

Bill Nelson to vote no on Neil Gorsuch

Veterans group’s mailers target Bill Nelson in Neil Gorsuch vote

Orange County Democratic Party unanimously backs Aramis Ayala

Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida backs Aramis Ayala

Victor Torres seeks to save call-center jobs