Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftyFebruary 15, 2016

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Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith, a Lake Alfred Republican, has pulled out of the Republican Primary for Florida House District 41, and has entered the nonpartisan race for Polk County School Board against incumbent Dick Mullenax. Smith said his decision to switch to run for a local office is based “solidly on the health of […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 20, 2016

Ed Smith has gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the House District 41 race, the Bartow Republican announced Wednesday. “The campaign has got momentum,” Smith said. “I thank everyone who signed a card for me and I have enjoyed meeting new friends along the way.” The former Winter Haven police officer is the first […]

Bill RuftyDecember 1, 2015

J.C. Martin, a Republican candidate for the Polk County Commission District 3 seat, knows the value of hard work for his party and is learning the favors that can be stored up by it. He has an all-star cast of Republicans backing him for his Dec. 14 fundraiser including a personal appearance by Lt. Gov. […]

Bill RuftySeptember 22, 2015

Former 10th Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Doyel officially filed late last week to run as a Democrat for the Florida House. House District 41 is within eastern Polk County. Doyel is the fourth candidate to open a campaign account for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, who will reach his […]

Bill RuftySeptember 1, 2015

A third Republican and likely to be the fourth candidate overall seeking the vacant Florida House District 41 next year filed his qualification papers Tuesday. Retired 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Charlie Davis filed to run as a Republican for the east Polk County House seat that will be left vacant by Rep. John […]

Bill RuftyAugust 27, 2015

Former Circuit Court Judge Robert Doyel announced Thursday that he is running in 2016 for Florida House District 41, which encompasses most of the eastern portion of Polk County. County Democratic Party officials confirmed last week that they were trying to recruit Doyel to run against Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel. “I was approached about running […]

Ryan RayMay 11, 2015

A battle between two Republicans is shaping up in Polk County-based House District 41, where Winter Haven Rep. John Wood won’t stand for re-election in 2016 because of term limits. To date, the open seat has attracted Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith as well as Sam Killebrew, a retired contractor who joined the race — a la Dick Cheney — after recruiting and […]

Tag: Ed Smith
Biden in Tampa. Screenshot via PBS.

Ed Smith leaves Florida House race for school board

Ed Smith submits enough signatures to qualify for HD 41 race

J.C. Martin calls in chips for Polk County Commission District 3 race

Robert Doyel makes it a race in HD 41

Bill Rufty: A 4th candidate for HD 41

Robert Doyel announces HD 41 bid

Race to succeed John Wood heats up in Polk County House district