Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonApril 11, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party got a $100,000 boost from their new chair last month according to new finance documents filed with the Florida Division of Elections. Stephen Bittel has been in place as the Democratic Party chair since January, when the Miami-Dade Democrat won a five-way race for the position with 55 percent of the […]

Ryan RayJune 10, 2016

Democrat Edward James surpassed the $300,000 mark during May fundraising in his campaign for House District 72, newly released campaign finance data shows. James brought in $4,190 through his campaign account and $23,500 through an affiliated political committee, for a total of $305,328 raised overall since he joined the HD 72 race in June of 2015. Of […]

Ryan RayMay 23, 2016

Democrat Edward James is now the first candidate in House District 72 officially on the ballot. The first-time candidate surpassed the threshold of 1,140 verified signatures on Monday. James is locked in a competitive three-way race to succeed Republican Rep. Ray Pilon, who bowed out of a re-election race earlier this year to pursue a Senate seat vacated by […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2016

Former Governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham will endorse Democratic HD 72 candidate Edward James on a conference call with reporters Thursday morning. James hopes the endorsement of perhaps Florida’s best-loved living pol will give his campaign a boost. “Governor Bob Graham has long been one of my heroes. He exemplifies what it truly means to be a […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

A pair of Sarasota legislative races saw major changes this past weekend. Rep. Ray Pilon decided to forgo a 2016 re-election bid for a fourth term in the House in favor of a Senate District 28 campaign, leaving his Democratic opponent Edward James running unopposed in a coastal swing seat. Pilon said Tuesday his decision came from the resolution […]

Ryan RayJanuary 22, 2016

The only Democrat to serve on the Florida Cabinet in recent memory, former CFO Alex Sink, will appear at a fundraiser for Edward James‘ campaign for the state House in Sarasota this Sunday. Sink will join nearly a dozen current and former Democratic elected officials at the home of former county party Chairwoman Rita Ferrandino to help boost […]

Ryan RayJanuary 11, 2016

Sarasota state Rep. Ray Pilon brought in his second-largest fundraising haul since drawing an opponent in the 2016 campaign cycle last month, raising $9,363 during the December reporting period. The showing takes Pilon to about $74,117 cash on hand after deducting $29,519 in expenditures from his $103,636 total raised. Pilon’s opponent, Democrat Edward James, added $5,170 to his campaign […]

Ryan RayDecember 11, 2015

The Sarasota GOP is beginning to worry about Democrat Edward James III‘s challenge to Rep. Ray Pilon, according to a recent fundraising appeal sent to local Republicans. The email, penned by county party chairman and RPOF vice chairman Joe Gruters, said James’ so-far prodigious fundraising efforts pose a serious challenge to Republicans’ dominance in the region’s legislative districts. […]

Ryan RayDecember 10, 2015

Rep. Ray Pilon took in a moderate haul last month in his campaign to retain his Sarasota-based House District 72 seat, raising $6,850 during the November reporting period according to recently submitted campaign finance data. The contributions take the third-term Republican to $96,275 raised overall so far, with $66,438 of that remaining on hand. Pilon, a Sarasota […]

Ryan RayDecember 2, 2015

Recording a fundraising haul that could mark a turning point in the race for a Sarasota-based swing seat, Democrat Edward James took in $81,150 during the November reporting period, according to just-filed finance data. The windfall takes James to $166,663 raised overall, with $114,400 of that coming from a political committee supporting James called New Direction Florida. James […]

Tag: Edward James
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton and Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur speak at Farmers Feeding Florida press conference Aug. 14,2025. Image via Florida Channel

Florida Democratic Party chair chips in $100K in first quarter

Edward James cracks $300K in HD 72 campaign, Alex Miller brings in $28K for May

Edward James qualifies by petition in HD 72

Bob Graham to endorse Edward James in HD 72 race

Ray Pilon jumps into Senate race; Edward James now unopposed in HD 72

Alex Sink to campaign for Edward James in Sarasota this weekend

Ray Pilon brings in $9K, Edward James $5K in HD 72 fundraising

Email insights: Sarasota GOP: Democrat Edward James a “major threat” in HD 72

Ray Pilon raises $6,850 in November for HD 72 re-election campaign

Edward James raises $81,150 for November in Sarasota House race