Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeApril 24, 2018

Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell on Tuesday announced his ninth wave of endorsements, showcasing support from key local leaders in the Panhandle. The North Fort Myers Republican state Representative’s newest supporters include elected or retired officials in five Northwest Florida counties: Escambia, Holmes, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Franklin. In Santa Rosa, County Sheriff Robert Johnson, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 17, 2018

Lake Wales Democrat Catherine Price announced Friday that she would run for the Senate District 26 seat being vacated by Sebring Sen. Denise Grimsley, who is running for Agriculture Commissioner in the fall. “Tallahassee seems to be broken and our state is in desperate need of better political leadership. We need legislators who are educated, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 14, 2018

Mike McCalister entered the race for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, setting up a four-way Republican primary to replace Adam Putnam, who is termed-out and running for Governor. Florida Politics previously reported that McCalister, a retired Army Colonel, was eyeing a run for the seat with a decision to come in early spring. McCalister got some name […]

Bill RuftyMarch 9, 2018

Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman reported raising $2.9 million by the end of February in his run for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. The Winter Haven Republican still has $2.7 million in the bank. In money collected, Troutman is ahead of his Republican primary opponents, and his campaign manager feels he is ahead in qualifications, dubbing both in […]

Drew WilsonMarch 9, 2018

Republican Baxter Troutman said his Agriculture Commissioner campaign hit the $2.9 million mark in total fundraising last month and has $2.7 million on hand. Troutman, a former Winter Haven state representative, is one of three Republicans vying to replace term-limited Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is running for Governor in 2018. Troutman’s February campaign finance […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2018

Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell said Thursday that retailers are within their rights to pull guns from their shelves, but consumers who don’t favor such policies can vote with their dollars. “The Citizens United case confirmed that the 1st Amendment protects everyone’s free speech, both individuals and corporations like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart. […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 26, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Andrea Jahna is no longer legislative assistant to Lake Placid Republican Sen. Denise Grimsley. Off: Karen Riggien is no longer legislative assistant for Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels. Off: Daniel Martinez is no longer legislative assistant for […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube announced Monday that he will run for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. “I’m running because Washington is broken; it needs to serve the people it was intended to serve, Floridians; rather than special interests in DC,” Steube said in an email. “My entire adult life has been about service, I enlisted […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Last week U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney put out the “Rooney out” message, launching a wave of speculation over who could step in and win the heavily Republican CD 17 in the fall. So far, all the GOP candidates running to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – former Winter Haven Rep. Baxter Troutman, Lehigh Acres Rep. […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

State Rep. Matt Caldwell touted another fundraising win in the race to take over for termed out Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the fall. The Lehigh Acres Republican brought in a combined $106,100 last month – $50,100 for his campaign and another $56,000 for his political committee, Friends of Matt Caldwell. The numbers outshined his […]

Matt Caldwell racks up Panhandle endorsements

Democrat Catherine Price files for Senate District 26

Mike McCalister enters Agriculture Commissioner race

Baxter Troutman campaign snarks opponents in Agriculture Commissioner race

Baxter Troutman hits $2.9M raised in Ag Commissioner race

Matt Caldwell takes issue with retailers ‘caving’ on guns

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Greg Steube is running for Congress; seeks seat being vacated by Tom Rooney

How the dominoes could fall after ‘Rooney out’

Matt Caldwell tops Ag Commissioner field in January fundraising