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Staff ReportsOctober 31, 2018

If Republican Ron DeSantis doesn’t win the election for Governor next week, it won’t be for lack of police support. Halloween (Wednesday) brought the latest love from law enforcement, courtesy of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. In marked contrast to previous law enforcement endorsements that condemned Democrat Andrew Gillum, the police chiefs eschewed excoriation of the Tallahassee […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 31, 2018

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Another public poll brings good news for Democrats running statewide, with gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Gillum and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson ahead of Republican opponents. A survey released Wednesday by Ipsos/Reuters/The University of Virginia Center for Politics shows Gillum at the magical 50 percent threshold and Nelson close behind at 49 percent. Gillum’s 50 percent of likely voters, the same […]

Jacob OglesOctober 31, 2018

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A photograph of Republican state House candidate Anthony Sabatini in blackface made its way to media inboxes around the state, the week before voters decide whether to send him to Tallahassee. The 30-year-old Howey-in-the-Hills Republican, running for House District 32, said the picture dates back to his sophomore year in high school, when he was […]

Joe HendersonOctober 30, 2018

With less than a week to go before the general election, supporters of two Hillsborough sales tax referendums have reason to be optimistic – and nervous. — A recent sampling by St. Pete Polls showed both proposed amendments to the county charter are leading among likely voters. The 30-year, one-percent sales tax increase would pay for […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 30, 2018

“Elections have consequences.” That was the message of an ebullient Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood Tuesday messaged against Republican health care policies at Edward Waters College. Nelson spoke to media after a roundtable event in which he and other speakers discussed the need for health coverage. At the heart of […]

Jacob OglesOctober 30, 2018

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Two new ads from GOP Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell emphasize the farm and grime aspects of the job—and also highlight the North Fort Myers’ sense of humor. One 30-second spot, titled “No Bull,” features Caldwell in a field with a bovine co-star, rattling off political clichés with down-home aplomb. “I’m tired of all the […]

Jacob OglesOctober 30, 2018

A new University of North Florida poll finds Florida’s race for U.S. Senate basically tied, with 47 percent of likely voters backing Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and 46 percent supporting Republican challenger Rick Scott. Pollsters report a 3-point margin of error. The race finds another 7 percent undecided, leaving both candidates clamoring for the small […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2018

Correction: The piece when first published said we reached out for comment to the Scott campaign Friday for comment on these charges. We reached out this morning. Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that he is returning to the campaign trail. But there are some suggestions that he never stopped, with charges that the Governor exploited storm relief for […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2018

The race to succeed Jay Fant in the House remains hotly contested between Republican Wyman Duggan and Democrat Tracye Polson. Every day, there seems to be a new drop. Here’s Friday’s: As both campaigns attempt to close in the plurality Democrat Westside Jacksonville district, new mail has been sent out by Duggan’s political committee in its recurrent quest […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 26, 2018

Two proposed charter amendments in St. Petersburg appear poised to pass this election, according to the latest St. Pete Polls survey. More than half of those surveyed said they voted in favor of a lease extension for the entire pier area, for a longer lease for the Harborage Marina in downtown. Both amendments are innocuous. The pier amendment would […]

Tag: Election 2018

Thin blue line goes red: Police chiefs backing Ron DeSantis

Surge: Andrew Gillum, Bill Nelson each around 50 percent

Anthony Sabatini ‘blackface’ picture from high school surfaces

Joe Henderson: Undecideds could pass—or kill—Hillsborough referendums

‘Election year conversion’: Bill Nelson on Rick Scott’s health coverage stance

Matt Caldwell ads show ‘no bull’ approach to ‘dirty jobs’

Poll: Bill Nelson clings to 1-point lead on Rick Scott

Ethics, election complaints question Rick Scott’s use of post-storm footage

Hot seat: Race to succeed Jay Fant exceeds $1 million in fundraising

St. Pete charter amendments will pass, poll suggests