Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-04-12-at-7.30.09-PM.png

The Constitution Revision Commission met on Wednesday for the first time to go over their controversial rules while meeting in Tampa. A rules committee first met before a public hearing, scheduled for tonight, starting with a lengthy discussion kicked off by GOP former state Sen. Don Gaetz. The 37-member board should abide by budget language pending before Gov. Rick […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-02-15-at-12.05.02-PM.png

Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and former Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith are among those tapped by current Senate President Joe Negron to sit on the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. Negron, a Stuart Republican, announced his list Wednesday in a press release. Gaetz, a Niceville Republican in the Senate 2006-16, and Smith, a Fort Lauderdale […]

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2016

Former Senate President Don Gaetz said he respects Will Weatherford’s decision not to run for governor in 2018, but is “disappointed for Florida.” “I spoke with Will about his decision,” said Gaetz, who presided over the Senate in 2012-14 when Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican, was House Speaker. “One of the attributes of Will Weatherford […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 21, 2016

Erin Gaetz is paving her own way, but don’t expect her to veer too far from the family business. Gaetz, the 31-year-old daughter of former Senate President Don Gaetz and sister of Congressman-elect Matt Gaetz, recently launched her own digital content firm, Southpaw Content. The firm specializes in producing faster, more engaging and less expensive […]

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2016

A former Senate President, Secretary of State, and state Supreme Court Justice have applied to Senate President Joe Negron for a seat on the panel that reviews the state’s constitution every 20 years. At last tally, 39 people had applied for one of Negron’s nine picks to the Constitution Revision Commission, according to a list […]

Peter SchorschOctober 31, 2016

In both life and politics, the only thing that’s constant is change. While elections give voters a view of the future, it also provides some retiring politicians a chance to look back. As two influential Florida lawmakers say their goodbyes — former Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli — they reflect on changes, and legislative successes, during […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 26, 2016

Eric Edwards, the longtime Tallahassee-based legislative assistant to Republican state Sen. Don Gaetz, is joining U.S. Sugar Corporation’s in-house influence team, the company announced. His title will be Assistant Vice President of Governmental Affairs. “We have wanted to strengthen and expand our internal government relations operation for some time, and we have patiently searched for just the right […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 15, 2016

A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott wouldn’t confirm or deny the governor had urged University of West Florida trustees not to pick state Sen. Don Gaetz as the school’s next president. UWF Board of Trustees Chair Lewis Bear said during Thursday’s meeting his board had been “interfered with,” that certain people in “high office” had tried to intimidate them […]

Associated PressAugust 17, 2016

State Sen. Don Gaetz wants to be the next president of the University of West Florida. Media outlets in the Florida Panhandle report that the Niceville Republican is among more than 70 applicants for the job. Gaetz is serving his second term in the Florida Senate and faces term limits in November. He served as […]

Tag: Don Gaetz
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Constitutional panel agrees to follow state budget language

Don Gaetz, Chris Smith among Joe Negron’s constitutional review panel picks

Don Gaetz is ‘saving his Rolodex’ for Will Weatherford

Erin Gaetz launches her own digital content firm

Nearly 40 apply to Joe Negron for Constitution Revision Commission

Don Gaetz, Steve Crisafulli reminisce on politics, legislative successes in heartfelt farewells

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Personnel note: Eric Edwards wins plum lobbying role with U.S. Sugar

Rick Scott won’t say whether he lobbied against Don Gaetz as UWF prez

Don Gaetz applies to be UWF president