Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

New Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla has to be getting used to being a kicked-around rookie on the Board of Commissioners, especially as an outspoken Democrat on a Republican-dominated panel, but Tuesday she got taken down by all of her fellow commissioners. “I feel it is pretty disrespectful,” Bonilla told them during Tuesday’s meeting, after […]

Scott PowersDecember 29, 2016

Story co-written by Orlando-Rising staff reporters Scott Powers and Lawrence Griffin. In Orlando, 2016 will always be remembered as the year of the Pulse gay nightclub massacre, and Pulse redefined everything; but it’s not the only major event to have shaped politics in Orlando during the year. Here are a few events that defined politics […]

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2016

Billionaire New York Democratic campaign financier George Soros‘s interest topped $1.7 million in Central Florida politics and $1.8 million statewide this year as he financed independent campaigns that helped three Democrats win local or state legislative races while three others he backed lost. Soros’ biggest investment came early, backing Aramis Ayala to the tune of $1.38 […]

Scott PowersNovember 23, 2016

As Orlandoans gather round dinner tables with family and close friends, let us start by being thankful that those of us who can be are there to gather. Let’s give thanks for a community that found comfort, faith, and strength in each others arms during the dawn following our darkest day, and for the commitment […]

Bob SparksNovember 9, 2016

With so many high-profile races going on in Florida, other contests were on the ballot, but under the radar. Florida Politics pointed out 10 of those down-ballot races to watch with backgrounds on each. While not as momentous as Donald Trump winning Florida, these races were interesting in their own right. Miami-Dade County Mayor Republican Mayor Carlos Gimenez went from a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 8, 2016

Presidential races get all the attention, but it’s the folks down ballot that make the real decisions. In the Sunshine State, there’s no shortage of high intensity — and sometimes high drama — battles for office. And we aren’t talking about the races for state House and Senate. There have been allegations of election fraud in a […]

Scott PowersSeptember 20, 2016

The long-running controversial plan for major development in lands once held as off-limits east of the Econlockhachee River received a critical approval Tuesday night from the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Development and regulating plans for “The Grow,” dubbed “Lake Pickett South” by county planners, calls for a 1,190-acre, 2,078 house plan between Colonial Drive […]

Scott PowersAugust 18, 2016

Democrats Hillary Clinton, Darren Soto and Val Demings and Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio all won commanding straw poll victories at Tuesday night’s Political Salsa event in Orlando, organizers announced late Wednesday. Clinton got 49 to Republican Donald Trump‘s 39 percent in the presidential question, with Libertarian Gary Johnson grabbing 8 percent and Green Party […]

Scott PowersJuly 13, 2016

Orange County’s Maginot Line against development east of the Econlockhatchee River has fallen. The Orange County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday night to support two new developments, dubbed by county planners as Lake Pickett South and Lake Pickett North, that will allow thousands of new homes to be built east of the Econlockhatchee. The […]

Tag: Emily Bonilla

Emily Bonilla clashes with other Orange commissioners over parks appointee

2016 in Orlando politics: Pulse, outside money, hotel taxes, frogs

George Soros spends $1.8 million in Florida local races; backs four winners, two losers

Orlando’s cornucopia of thanks runneth over for area leaders

Down-ballot races throughout Florida provided some interesting results as well

More than just the presidency: 10 down ballot races in Florida to watch on Election Day

Orange County approves controversial Lake Pickett ‘The Grow’ plan

Political Salsa: Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio, Darren Soto, Val Demings win straw poll

Orange County opens door to development east of Econ