Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 7, 2018

Going on a few months, Florida Politics has been tracking Republican Mike McCalister and the possibility he may enter the wide-open race for Agriculture Commissioner. Chatter surrounding the much-discussed retired Army Colonel and former U.S. Senate candidate was loudest at the Republican Party of Florida annual meeting in January. Bringing some solid retail politicking, McCalister worked the […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 5, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell announced another block endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign from colleagues in the Florida House Monday, this time mostly from the Tampa Bay area. “I am proud to receive the endorsements from my colleagues. I will continue to work hard to earn support from Floridians across the Sunshine State, who […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2018

Democrat Jeff Porter, three-term mayor of Homestead, is entering the race for Florida agriculture commissioner. Porter, 58, is the second Democrat into the field, following South Florida environmentalist David Walker. Three high-profile and well-funded Republicans also are in the contest to succeed Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam: state Sen. Denise Grimsley of Lake Placid, state Rep. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2018

Facing rising costs of childbirth in the United States, a pair of Florida lawmakers are offering expectant mothers at minimal risk of labor complications an alternative to expensive hospital visits. On Tuesday, the House Health Care Appropriations Committee will consider HB 1099, which opens the door for advanced birthing centers (ABCs) — free-standing, non-hospital facilities […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 18, 2018

When former state Rep. Baxter Troutman was 16, he attended Boys State. There, he ran for Agriculture Commissioner. Three decades later, Troutman has followed up on the reality of a rather idiosyncratic-seeming childhood goal. He is one of four Republicans vying for the opportunity to become Agriculture Commissioner. Unlike the incumbent, Adam Putnam, who seemed like […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 16, 2018

Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell pulled in six-figures for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign last month, which was good enough for the top spot among the four candidates gunning to replace termed out Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam. Caldwell pulled in $39,201 for his campaign account and another $59,500 for his political committee, for a combined $101,701 raised […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 12, 2018

One of the state’s leading business lobbies is cheering the defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have expanded the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits. The Constitution Revision Commission‘s Judicial Committee on Friday unanimously voting against the measure (P23). “This unnecessary proposal would have opened up not only Florida businesses, but private citizens as well, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

The chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, who’s also a candidate for state Agriculture Commissioner, is slamming a proposed constitutional amendment. Denise Grimsley, a Lake Placid Republican, wrote a letter Thursday to Bill Schifino, head of the Constitution Revision Commission‘s Judicial Committee. The panel is considering a proposed amendment that has caused angst among business interests because […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 10, 2018

Tradition abounds in Tallahassee as Florida lawmakers return to begin the people’s business for 2018. The annual 60-day Legislative Session began Tuesday with Rick Scott’s State of the State address — his last as Governor — followed by the custom of opening statements from each chamber’s leader charting past accomplishments and future goals. But among […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 5, 2018

Rep. Matt Caldwell announced Thursday that his December finance reports will show another six-figure fundraising month for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign, putting him at $1.56 million raised in 2017. “We are working hard and our support continues to grow each and every day. We have traveled nearly 41,000 miles across this State since May 1 […]

Tag: denise grimsley

Chatter grows on Mike McCalister entering Ag Commissioner race

Matt Caldwell announces ‘seventh wave’ of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid

Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter entering Agriculture Commissioner race

House to consider advanced birthing centers, alternative to pricey hospital childbirth

Baxter Troutman: ‘This is it for me’

Ag Commissioner candidates Matt Caldwell, Denise Grimsley raise big in December

Thumbs down: Environmental constitutional amendment defeated

Denise Grimsley calls for opposition to constitutional amendment

Florida TaxWatch turns focus to taxpayers with annual Session event

Matt Caldwell caps off 2017 with a six-figure December